I would love to build a 2X version of the Estes "Soaring Eagle" from the early '80s. Any plans or info out there?

[Lemmiwinks]

 

[kuririn]

Soaring Eagle (spacemodeling.org)

 

[Saluki]

I would just like to build a normal-size one. This would be a good bring-back kit for ESTES, but I know that's not going to happen.

 

[watheyak]

This was one of my favorites as a kid until I lost it on the roof of the school.

I'd love to see a 2x build.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

I loved mine, it flew very nicely unlike some of the other Estes rocket glider designs...I'm looking at you Space Shuttle

 

[Troy3003]

That rocket was my first public launch. I think I was in 6th or 7th grade and launched out in the parking lot for science class. Flight was great, as was the glide back down. I would love to build another for old times sake.

 

[Rktman]

I would love to build a 2X version of the Estes "Soaring Eagle" from the early '80s. Any plans or info out there?

Here's a link to the Soaring Eagle templates/instructions on the JimZ site: http://spacemodeling.org/jimz/est1373.htm

 

[Lemmiwinks]

Here's a link to the Soaring Eagle templates/instructions on the JimZ site: http://spacemodeling.org/jimz/est1373.htm

Thanks, guess I'm gonna have to build one from scratch/plans.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

Soaring Eagle (spacemodeling.org)

Geez, I didnt realize that was a link. D'oh. I am not SMRT

 

[Rktman]

Geez, I didnt realize that was a link. D'oh. I am not SMRT

Oops, guess I didn't either. Didn't realize @kuririn already posted that link.

 

[Saluki]

To start this project out you can get the BT-51 2" tube and the BT-20 tube 8.65 and BT-50 tube from eRockets.
http://www.erockets.biz/semroc-body-tube-bt-20-8-65-long/http://www.erockets.biz/semroc-body-tube-bt-51-2-0-long/http://www.erockets.biz/semroc-body-tube-bt-50-18-0-long-sem-bt-50-18/

 

[kuririn]

To start this project out you can get the BT-51 2" tube and the BT-20 tube 8.65 and BT-50 tube from eRockets.

Saluki, he's doing a 2X upscale.

 

[Saluki]

Yeah, I knew that but I'm sure there are those that might want to just clone a stock model.
The stock model is hard enough to clone. I imagine a 2X will be a real challenge. The stock model is a nice size.
I built one when it first came out and it flew nice, but after a few moves it got lost and I would like to have another one. At the moment I'm working on a Scissor Wing Transport. The two together would make a great pair.
The hardest part to clone for the Soaring Eagle I would think would be the plastic wing sheet. Have any suggestions?
I have thought about using a large plastic parachute.

 

[kuririn]

I was thinking about cutting up one of those white plastic shopping bags, not the thin ones from the grocery store but the thicker plastic ones. Then Sharpie'ing in the deltas.
P.S. Or a thicker white garbage or kitchen bag.

 

[tsmmiller]

I’ve never been into the gliders. I really like this one though.
I would love to clone or even follow along on an upscale.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

... At the moment I'm working on a Scissor Wing Transport. The two together would make a great pair.
...

I built a scissor wing transport as a kid and failed miserably. I screwed up the launch lug alignment and it didn't even get off the pad because it stuck on the launch rod. A built a second one a few years ago and it flew really well. Amazing how several decades of experience can change outcomes.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

...
The hardest part to clone for the Soaring Eagle I would think would be the plastic wing sheet. Have any suggestions?
I have thought about using a large plastic parachute...

I was thinking nylon kite material

 

[Saluki]

I was thinking nylon kite material

I think you might have something with that idea of kite nylon material. That might work for cloning a stock one.

 

[tab28682]

Good idea on the kite nylon. Several places sell lightweight 3/4 oz ripstop nylon, which should work well on on this upscale.

This model will be of a substantial size, with the extended wingspan being 48” and length being 42”. Looking to be a full E to F powered model.

I have thought about a smaller 1.3X scale up to make one about the right size for a D12.

 

[Greg Furtman]

I made a PDF out of the Spacemodeling.org page. Here it is.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

Thanks!

 

[Lemmiwinks]

Good idea on the kite nylon. Several places sell lightweight 3/4 oz ripstop nylon, which should work well on on this upscale.

...

I have an RC paraglider that was built using the stuff, its amazingly strong and light!

 

[Greg Furtman]

Does anyone know what year this kit came out? I'd like to look at it in the Estes Catalog archive.

 

[BABAR]

Does anyone know what year this kit came out? I'd like to look at it in the Estes Catalog archive.

According to @georgegassaway site, 1982-86


Estes
Soaring Eagle

Boost Glider

(from 1982-1986)

Kit # EST 1373

http://georgesrockets.com/GRP/ebay/2011 June auctions/SoaringEagle.html

 

[BABAR]

I was thinking about cutting up one of those white plastic shopping bags, not the thin ones from the grocery store but the thicker plastic ones. Then Sharpie'ing in the deltas.
P.S. Or a thicker white garbage or kitchen bag.

The Hobby Lobby shopping bags are pretty tough but still thin. You’d either have to find an uncolored section or integrate their colors into your plan. Shopping mall bags may have larger white sections, they tend to be tougher than your Walmart or Grocery store bags. I am thinking some store bought kites might be the right plastic and already have a red white and blue pattern that would look good, although not identical to original. How faithful do you want to be to the OOP model decor?

 

[Greg Furtman]

The Soaring Eagle is on page 42 of the 1982 Estes Catalog.

https://estesrockets.com/wp-content/uploads/Catalogs/Estes_1982_Catalog.pdf

 

[aerostadt]

It is page 49.

 

[BABAR]

It is page 49.

True, but the ultimate answer is always 42!

 

[aerostadt]

What is 6 x 7 ? I always knew something was fundamentally wrong with the universe.

 

[Greg Furtman]

I found a video of the SE flying. Sweet bird!