A while back I was killing time waiting for a zoom call to start and was browsing through the eRockets website.
I happen to notice that Randy had a couple of BT-60 sized Gemini Capsule nosecones and got the idea to scratch-build a Gemini Titan – like the old Estes #1978 BT-60 based model.
I placed an order for the nosecone, and some other supplies, and couldn’t wait to get started.
I had a set of new BT-60 body-tubes on hand, and an old but damaged Estes Bail Out kit - which has the same/similar fin-can and locking-ring assembly as the #1978 Gemini Titan kit.
I figured that between the two, I had everything I needed to complete the project.
While I was waiting for the nosecone to arrive, kuririn sent me a copy of John Brohm’s Estes Body-Tube Guide (extremely helpful for sure), so I knew to cut one of the body-tubes to 12.5”.
Long story short, once the nosecone arrived, I pulled everything together and discovered that the Bail Out’s fin-can was horribly bent from being stored improperly. I even tried a “fix” suggested by linville86 to no avail.
Now what?
When I posted a message on the Forum about the fin-can issue, MALBAR 70 sent me a reply about other Estes kits that used the same assembly. However, in his reply he also mentioned that I might consider using clear fins to make the rocket have a more “scale look” to it.
Eureka.
When I ordered the nosecone, I had also ordered a set of clear plexi fins and a pre-slotted BT-60 body-tube I was going to use on another project.
Now I was ready to go.
I have never scratch-built a rocket before, so it was both harder, and took longer, than I thought. But in the end, it really turned out to be a blast.
Once I finished building it, I primed and painted the body-tube assembly and nosecone, applied a set of decals from Stickershock23.com, installed the fins, and glued on the launch-lug.
The plexi fins made it tail heavy, but a couple of metal washers under the nosecone’s eyehook, balance things out.
Over-all it’s heavy – about the same weight as the Estes RTF 200 Scale Saturn V – but I’m not looking for a highflyer – just a couple of flights with C6-3’s before it’s display time.
Thanks to kuririn, linville 86, and MALBAR 70 for your help and suggestions.
It may be my first, but it will certainly not be my last, scratch-built rocket.
Michael
I happen to notice that Randy had a couple of BT-60 sized Gemini Capsule nosecones and got the idea to scratch-build a Gemini Titan – like the old Estes #1978 BT-60 based model.
I placed an order for the nosecone, and some other supplies, and couldn’t wait to get started.
I had a set of new BT-60 body-tubes on hand, and an old but damaged Estes Bail Out kit - which has the same/similar fin-can and locking-ring assembly as the #1978 Gemini Titan kit.
I figured that between the two, I had everything I needed to complete the project.
While I was waiting for the nosecone to arrive, kuririn sent me a copy of John Brohm’s Estes Body-Tube Guide (extremely helpful for sure), so I knew to cut one of the body-tubes to 12.5”.
Long story short, once the nosecone arrived, I pulled everything together and discovered that the Bail Out’s fin-can was horribly bent from being stored improperly. I even tried a “fix” suggested by linville86 to no avail.
Now what?
When I posted a message on the Forum about the fin-can issue, MALBAR 70 sent me a reply about other Estes kits that used the same assembly. However, in his reply he also mentioned that I might consider using clear fins to make the rocket have a more “scale look” to it.
Eureka.
When I ordered the nosecone, I had also ordered a set of clear plexi fins and a pre-slotted BT-60 body-tube I was going to use on another project.
Now I was ready to go.
I have never scratch-built a rocket before, so it was both harder, and took longer, than I thought. But in the end, it really turned out to be a blast.
Once I finished building it, I primed and painted the body-tube assembly and nosecone, applied a set of decals from Stickershock23.com, installed the fins, and glued on the launch-lug.
The plexi fins made it tail heavy, but a couple of metal washers under the nosecone’s eyehook, balance things out.
Over-all it’s heavy – about the same weight as the Estes RTF 200 Scale Saturn V – but I’m not looking for a highflyer – just a couple of flights with C6-3’s before it’s display time.
Thanks to kuririn, linville 86, and MALBAR 70 for your help and suggestions.
It may be my first, but it will certainly not be my last, scratch-built rocket.
Michael