RF Approved: Starblazer X-20 Kit - 4x Upscaled - Interest Thread

[nabooengineer]

Hi Everyone! Work has been continuing on Starblazer X-20 4x Upscale Kit#2, The canopy has been a little problematic and iterative testing turn around takes about a week with each test build, so new lessons have been learned.

About 3 weeks ago, decided to take a totally different approach to it. We're going to 3D print it! We can keep the weight down of the part to approx 130grams... which is actually lighter than the laser plywood version. Also decided to design the part in openSCAD, so builders can make easy programmatic script adjustments to the canopy design and generate their own custom STL part file. Plus the scad code currently uses original stock measurements, then applies a 4x upscale variable, tunable body tube variables. Script also provides several customization options in addition stock design with internal heat exhaust, a simplified version, and various internal small camera mounts for a cockpit POV flight. Pop in a mobius, gopro or runcam and imagine yourself piloting it.

Currently the canopy test parts are in simple PLA, which will not be used for production. Production parts, once finalized, will be in annealed PET-G or other superior heat resistant material.

Screenshot of OpenSCAD for Starblazer X-20 4x Upscale Kit #2

• nabooengineer
• Jan 15, 2020

This will allow builders with 3D printers to easily customization to their Canopy

Starblazer X-20 4x Upscale Kit #2- Canopy v011a being 3D printed

• nabooengineer
• Jan 15, 2020

 

[ghostfather]

Looking good.
Will this eventually be produced? I'd sort of given up hope, and see that you still need 13 more commits.

 

[mrtriton]

Hi Everyone! Work has been continuing on Starblazer X-20 4x Upscale Kit#2, The canopy has been a little problematic and iterative testing turn around takes about a week with each test build, so new lessons have been learned.
Awesomeness! I was just reading the last posts on this and wondering if the project had been canceled. Glad to hear it's still a go!!
- Mark

About 3 weeks ago, decided to take a totally different approach to it. We're going to 3D print it! We can keep the weight down of the part to approx 130grams... which is actually lighter than the laser plywood version. Also decided to design the part in openSCAD, so builders can make easy programmatic script adjustments to the canopy design and generate their own custom STL part file. Plus the scad code currently uses original stock measurements, then applies a 4x upscale variable, tunable body tube variables. Script also provides several customization options in addition stock design with internal heat exhaust, a simplified version, and various internal small camera mounts for a cockpit POV flight. Pop in a mobius, gopro or runcam and imagine yourself piloting it.

Currently the canopy test parts are in simple PLA, which will not be used for production. Production parts, once finalized, will be in annealed PET-G or other superior heat resistant material.

Screenshot of OpenSCAD for Starblazer X-20 4x Upscale Kit #2

• nabooengineer
• Jan 15, 2020

This will allow builders with 3D printers to easily customization to their Canopy

Starblazer X-20 4x Upscale Kit #2- Canopy v011a being 3D printed

• nabooengineer
• Jan 15, 2020

 

[nabooengineer]

Looking good.
Will this eventually be produced? I'd sort of given up hope, and see that you still need 13 more commits.

Hi Steve!... Yes, the plan is still to produce the Starblazer X-20 4x kit, even if its in a smaller production run.

 

[lawndartman]

OK, I am in for one... Put me on the list, pm sent

 

[sandeja1]

Please put me on the reserve/intrested list!

 

[nabooengineer]

List updated,
The PETG canopy is good. Going to simulate the X-20 setting in the sun, and high ambient heat, like its sitting on a launch pad for 4 hrs.

For those with 3D printers, the OPENSCAD code for the canopy includes modules now for various cameras to be inserted into the canopy, like Mobius action cameras, GoPROs.

 

[Lawndart]

Add me to the list.

 

[sandeja1]

Bump

 

[ghostfather]

Hi Steve!... Yes, the plan is still to produce the Starblazer X-20 4x kit, even if its in a smaller production run.

Still waiting and hoping

 

[Ulexis]

Add me to the list please.

 

[ThePlmbr]

Good morning. Hope you are well. Where are we on the shipping of this kit? I know you haven't reached the number of people that needed it to preorder, so what is your plan going forward? Thanks, have a great weekend. Greg Olson

 

[RobertH3]

Put me on the list - I love SF kits but haven't done an HP version yet. Built Interceptor/Odyssey/Andromeda/Atlantis as a kid.

Cheers / Robert

 

[RobertH3]

And give us a count

 

[ThePlmbr]

I agree...where are we with the list? There hasn't been an update since Feb. 2020. Thanks

 

[ThePlmbr]

Bump. How about an answer, there has not been an update since Jan. 2020. Are you still hoping to put out this kit? Happy Holidays. Greg Olson

 

[stantonjtroy]

Just found this thread. I did a 4" scratch up-scale about 7-8 years ago for my L2 flight. Went off without a hitch. S glass fins, Phenolic tubes, Plastic NC, Polished aluminum boat tail (not scale to the original but looked sooo cool!). I did the canopy much like the original only instead of folded card stock the sections were cut from 1/32" thick G10 sheet, temporarily taped together on the outside and glass/epoxy taped on the inside. Then the outer tape was removed. Stickershock did the vinyl (in fact it's my bird on his web page) been flying it exclusively on an AT J350. Flights are around 2600'. Duel deploy with an old (very) Adept 125alt.

 

[stantonjtroy]

Sorry, Not trying to hijack the thread; Merely illustrating the project is doable, Flies great and I too would love to see the kit come to fruit.

 

[ThePlmbr]

Very Nice.

 

[DeltaVee]

Does ANYONE know if nabooengineer is still out there somewhere?

 

[RobertH3]

I wanted one - not my fave but a nice offbeat and complicated HP upscale. Large projects are tough and I wish him the best. Would like to see it fly at least.

Cheers / Robert

 

[Banzai88]

Last he logged in here was 27 Feb 2020.

 

[Zeta]

..

 

[Kai]

Fingers still crossed

 

[ljwilley]

Out of my budget, but I really want to see one of these fly. Putting this post here as a bump.

 

[Banzai88]

Out of my budget, but I really want to see one of these fly. Putting this post here as a bump.

OP was last seen on here 27 Feb 2020. If any ever got delivered, no one ever posted about it.

 

[DragonRocketry]

Out of my budget, but I really want to see one of these fly. Putting this post here as a bump.

I did a few of these upscales. They are listed on my site.

 

[NTP2]

I did a few of these upscales. They are listed on my site.

You really have everything don’t you!

 

[DragonRocketry]

You really have everything don’t you!

When this fell through I offered to do a run of them. I still have 2 left of the 8 I did.

 

[NTP2]

When this fell through I offered to do a run of them. I still have 2 left of the 8 I did.

Ok that makes sense.