Do you remember getting that 1980 catalog? I sure do and immediately thought this is a very different catalog. As such, several kits from 1980 were added to my must builds. The one exotic sci-fi kit that really caught my eye that year, was the Starblazer X-20. I still have the model I built and flew in 1980! The design was fantastic with the larger payload tube than the exposed engine MMT, a folded cardboard paper cockpit, decals for days and those swept T style rear fins with rails on top.
Unlike some of the other exciting new kits that year, the Starblazer X-20 looked sturdy, industrial and realistic in my mind. It didn’t seem to be cartoonish as the others on that page, nor as delicate as the two movie inspired “Probes” on the opposite page. The more I studied that image on page 35, it appeared sturdy enough that you could launch it, retrieve it and launch again with out having to do field repairs and I was right. My Starblazer X-20 never had a single issue in all the times I flew it.
It looked great with that striking yellow, white and blue paint scheme. Not to mention all those water decals simulating placards and ports everywhere. The Starblazer X-20 was just stunning whether on the launch pad or on display hanging from fishing line from my room ceiling. It was the first model I could actually imagine jumping in to the pilot seat, closing that canopy and flying off in. It was long, lean and had those robust fins, plus it could do 8,000 M.P.H.!!! (Well that’s what the catalog said.)
Sadly it was only available in 1980/1981 and I never saw another one available in original kit form.
Nearly 40 years later I really want to see a modern day upscale kit version of that classic bird fly again!
We’re proud to announce that the Starblazer X-20 is going to be our next limited run kit #2 for builders only available here on RF. Our reimagining of this rare classic kit has been upscaled to a 4 inch (101mm) main body tube! It is massive and sturdy just like the original. It even has a simulated motor retaining ring and 6mm thick TTW fin construction.
We learned that RF builders like building and so do we! It is no simple 3FNC upscale, it has 11 TTW fins, even the T fins, while quite large are 10.5 inches in length, interlock with the main fins. The T-fins have that wonderful landing rail on the outside. The Starblazer X-20 is still a skill level 3 kit even with all precise laser cut parts, slots, and holes. However it is engineered to go together accurately, quickly and easily. The canopy has been upscaled in more than just size, and is no longer folded and cut card stock and is made of laser cut 3mm baltic birch plywood, again with interlocking pieces which securely attaches to the booster body tube via an internal TTW structure. You can’t imagine how much work went into recreating a robust version of that paper canopy that can be assembled and shipped. It is going to take a little effort for you to assemble and finish. With a little work you can even use it as a housing for a couple digital cameras and transmitters. Realtime FPV rocketry anyone?
This kit is designed around a 54mm MMT with a 54mm CNC machined anodized aluminum motor retainer. For those wanting wider motor choice, the kit also and includes a 38mm MMT adapter along with a 38mm CNC machined anodized aluminum motor retainer. This give us the ability to use motors from H130 to K500 range. The upscale model is available now on thrustcurve.org so that you can start determining what motors your going to fly once you complete it.
Just keep in mind, these fins while quite robust are square edged like the original kit and large. If you push the speed to far, well thats on you. The 1980 catalog said 8,000 M.P.H., not us.
Recovery will be a 24 inch drogue (limited to orange, yellow or blue) and 58 inch main parachute, that will be either orange or yellow in color, and includes two 15” octagon nomex blankets, as well as nomex harness protectors. The shock cords are 18 ft x 5/8 tubular nylon with sewn in loops. For those doing dual deploy, it includes the 4 inch x 8 inch long avionics electronics bay kit & sled.
We’re excited about this kit and the manufacturers partnering with us again! Keep in mind this is a complete and robust kit, that when finished is over 2 meters in length (6.7 ft tall), with an expected dry weight above 2.5 kg (88oz or 5.5lbs)
This is going to start out as an interest thread only here on RF. If we can get 25 RF builders to commit to the Starblazer X-20 Kit #2, the run will proceed and those on the list will be sent a PayPal invoice. Our goal is to have them all shipped by 21st of October.
As we get the finalized parts in, we’ll post pictures and update the information here.
— StarBlazer X-20 Specifications —
Length: 81.5 inches (2070 mm)
Dry Weight: 88oz (2494.76 g)
Diameter:4 In (101.6 mm)
Fin Span: 18.4 in (467.36 mm)
Fin Count: 11 Laser Cut 6mm Aircraft Baltic Birch TTW, mid-engine & mains fins fin-lock into MMT, while the three T fins lock to the main fin notches.
Canopy is 3mm birch plywood with a unique mounting.
Nose Length to shoulder is 16.25 in. (412.75mm)
Diameter 4.0 in (101.6mm)
Overall NC Length 20.25 in. (514.35mm)
Shoulder Length 4in. (101.6mm)
NC Material Heavy Duty Polypropylene blow molded
Motor Size: 54mm MMT x 584.2 Length
54mm CNC machined and anodized aluminum motor retainer
Kit also includes a 38mm adapter with 38mm CNC machined and anodized aluminum motor retainer (yes you get both 54mm & 38mm)
Recovery System:
Drogue chute is 24in. (609mm) limited to either orange, yellow or blue colors
Main parachute is 60 in. (1524 mm) and orange and white panels, rip stop with spill hole.
Both parachutes are coated ripstop nylon with spill hole with 9/0 Swivels (swivel rated for 900 lbs/ 408.2 kg)
4 in. (101mm) Electronics Bay for Dual Deploy, or can be used single motor deploy
10 Push-In Rivets (5 Black)
M2 Tap & 10 x M2 Shear Pins
18 ft. x .625 in. ( 5486.4mm x 15.875mm) Tubular Nylon Shock Cords with sewn loop ends (Includes 2 shock cords)
3 ft x .375 in. (914 mm x 9.52mm) Y Harness - Nylon Webbing with sewn loop ends that quick link to internal eyebolts on the front 6mm thick centering ring.
.1875 in. (4.76mm) Quick Links (Qty 6, yes now 6) rated for 600 lbs./ 272.1 kg each
2 x 15 in. Nomex blankets custom made for the Drogue & Main Chute
2 x Nomex Shock Cord protectors
1010 Delrin Rail buttons with included narrow Weld Nuts for HPR RAIL & a laser cut standoff for the rear rail button.
High quality and superbly color printed and cut vinyl decals to give us the best appearance possible.
PLEASE READ:
This kit does not include electronics, wiring, glues, paint, deployment blast cups or rocket motors.
Cost of the kit will be $289 USD for USA addresses and $399 USD for rest of the world (ROW) addresses.
Price includes USPS Priority shipping to your PayPal shipping address.
We save about $186.00 per kit vs. piecing out the kit individually.
This run will be limited to a total of 30 kits.
If you are interested in this run, and want to get your name on the run list to reserve a spot, post a message in this thread and pm me your email address, your PayPal address, and please make sure your PayPall address is correct.
If you want more than one kit, your RF handle name will be list for that number of slots..
Once we reach 25 commitments, I will place the orders with the various respective manufacturers. Then we’ll notify everyone that the run is a go and will send a PayPal invoice to those builders on this list. Status will be changed to reflect invoiced. Payment will be expected within 7 days once the invoice is sent. Once PP invoice is received, status will reflect Invoiced, and once paid, will reflect Paid and a date. We’ll log kitting progress with images and status of orders here in this thread.
The goal is to have all the kits shipped by 21th October, assuming we receive enough interest in the run.
20-Oct Update: target shipping date is delayed to be determine, still working on the prototype parts, specifically the canopy.
Unlike some of the other exciting new kits that year, the Starblazer X-20 looked sturdy, industrial and realistic in my mind. It didn’t seem to be cartoonish as the others on that page, nor as delicate as the two movie inspired “Probes” on the opposite page. The more I studied that image on page 35, it appeared sturdy enough that you could launch it, retrieve it and launch again with out having to do field repairs and I was right. My Starblazer X-20 never had a single issue in all the times I flew it.
It looked great with that striking yellow, white and blue paint scheme. Not to mention all those water decals simulating placards and ports everywhere. The Starblazer X-20 was just stunning whether on the launch pad or on display hanging from fishing line from my room ceiling. It was the first model I could actually imagine jumping in to the pilot seat, closing that canopy and flying off in. It was long, lean and had those robust fins, plus it could do 8,000 M.P.H.!!! (Well that’s what the catalog said.)
Sadly it was only available in 1980/1981 and I never saw another one available in original kit form.
Nearly 40 years later I really want to see a modern day upscale kit version of that classic bird fly again!
We’re proud to announce that the Starblazer X-20 is going to be our next limited run kit #2 for builders only available here on RF. Our reimagining of this rare classic kit has been upscaled to a 4 inch (101mm) main body tube! It is massive and sturdy just like the original. It even has a simulated motor retaining ring and 6mm thick TTW fin construction.
We learned that RF builders like building and so do we! It is no simple 3FNC upscale, it has 11 TTW fins, even the T fins, while quite large are 10.5 inches in length, interlock with the main fins. The T-fins have that wonderful landing rail on the outside. The Starblazer X-20 is still a skill level 3 kit even with all precise laser cut parts, slots, and holes. However it is engineered to go together accurately, quickly and easily. The canopy has been upscaled in more than just size, and is no longer folded and cut card stock and is made of laser cut 3mm baltic birch plywood, again with interlocking pieces which securely attaches to the booster body tube via an internal TTW structure. You can’t imagine how much work went into recreating a robust version of that paper canopy that can be assembled and shipped. It is going to take a little effort for you to assemble and finish. With a little work you can even use it as a housing for a couple digital cameras and transmitters. Realtime FPV rocketry anyone?
This kit is designed around a 54mm MMT with a 54mm CNC machined anodized aluminum motor retainer. For those wanting wider motor choice, the kit also and includes a 38mm MMT adapter along with a 38mm CNC machined anodized aluminum motor retainer. This give us the ability to use motors from H130 to K500 range. The upscale model is available now on thrustcurve.org so that you can start determining what motors your going to fly once you complete it.
Just keep in mind, these fins while quite robust are square edged like the original kit and large. If you push the speed to far, well thats on you. The 1980 catalog said 8,000 M.P.H., not us.
Recovery will be a 24 inch drogue (limited to orange, yellow or blue) and 58 inch main parachute, that will be either orange or yellow in color, and includes two 15” octagon nomex blankets, as well as nomex harness protectors. The shock cords are 18 ft x 5/8 tubular nylon with sewn in loops. For those doing dual deploy, it includes the 4 inch x 8 inch long avionics electronics bay kit & sled.
We’re excited about this kit and the manufacturers partnering with us again! Keep in mind this is a complete and robust kit, that when finished is over 2 meters in length (6.7 ft tall), with an expected dry weight above 2.5 kg (88oz or 5.5lbs)
This is going to start out as an interest thread only here on RF. If we can get 25 RF builders to commit to the Starblazer X-20 Kit #2, the run will proceed and those on the list will be sent a PayPal invoice. Our goal is to have them all shipped by 21st of October.
As we get the finalized parts in, we’ll post pictures and update the information here.
— StarBlazer X-20 Specifications —
Length: 81.5 inches (2070 mm)
Dry Weight: 88oz (2494.76 g)
Diameter:4 In (101.6 mm)
Fin Span: 18.4 in (467.36 mm)
Fin Count: 11 Laser Cut 6mm Aircraft Baltic Birch TTW, mid-engine & mains fins fin-lock into MMT, while the three T fins lock to the main fin notches.
Canopy is 3mm birch plywood with a unique mounting.
Nose Length to shoulder is 16.25 in. (412.75mm)
Diameter 4.0 in (101.6mm)
Overall NC Length 20.25 in. (514.35mm)
Shoulder Length 4in. (101.6mm)
NC Material Heavy Duty Polypropylene blow molded
Motor Size: 54mm MMT x 584.2 Length
54mm CNC machined and anodized aluminum motor retainer
Kit also includes a 38mm adapter with 38mm CNC machined and anodized aluminum motor retainer (yes you get both 54mm & 38mm)
Recovery System:
Drogue chute is 24in. (609mm) limited to either orange, yellow or blue colors
Main parachute is 60 in. (1524 mm) and orange and white panels, rip stop with spill hole.
Both parachutes are coated ripstop nylon with spill hole with 9/0 Swivels (swivel rated for 900 lbs/ 408.2 kg)
4 in. (101mm) Electronics Bay for Dual Deploy, or can be used single motor deploy
10 Push-In Rivets (5 Black)
M2 Tap & 10 x M2 Shear Pins
18 ft. x .625 in. ( 5486.4mm x 15.875mm) Tubular Nylon Shock Cords with sewn loop ends (Includes 2 shock cords)
3 ft x .375 in. (914 mm x 9.52mm) Y Harness - Nylon Webbing with sewn loop ends that quick link to internal eyebolts on the front 6mm thick centering ring.
.1875 in. (4.76mm) Quick Links (Qty 6, yes now 6) rated for 600 lbs./ 272.1 kg each
2 x 15 in. Nomex blankets custom made for the Drogue & Main Chute
2 x Nomex Shock Cord protectors
1010 Delrin Rail buttons with included narrow Weld Nuts for HPR RAIL & a laser cut standoff for the rear rail button.
High quality and superbly color printed and cut vinyl decals to give us the best appearance possible.
PLEASE READ:
This kit does not include electronics, wiring, glues, paint, deployment blast cups or rocket motors.
Cost of the kit will be $289 USD for USA addresses and $399 USD for rest of the world (ROW) addresses.
Price includes USPS Priority shipping to your PayPal shipping address.
We save about $186.00 per kit vs. piecing out the kit individually.
This run will be limited to a total of 30 kits.
If you are interested in this run, and want to get your name on the run list to reserve a spot, post a message in this thread and pm me your email address, your PayPal address, and please make sure your PayPall address is correct.
If you want more than one kit, your RF handle name will be list for that number of slots..
Once we reach 25 commitments, I will place the orders with the various respective manufacturers. Then we’ll notify everyone that the run is a go and will send a PayPal invoice to those builders on this list. Status will be changed to reflect invoiced. Payment will be expected within 7 days once the invoice is sent. Once PP invoice is received, status will reflect Invoiced, and once paid, will reflect Paid and a date. We’ll log kitting progress with images and status of orders here in this thread.
The goal is to have all the kits shipped by 21th October, assuming we receive enough interest in the run.
20-Oct Update: target shipping date is delayed to be determine, still working on the prototype parts, specifically the canopy.
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