Thinking of 13MM Engine BT-20 Sized Rockets

[Bruiser]

I got started back into rockets a short time ago and I have built a 37" IQSY Tomahawk that is set up for D,E, & F motors and I am putting the finishing touches on a D powered Estes 7240 Honest John that I have done some mods to.

I was just getting ready to order an Estes Patriot when I realized that these rockets are going to take up some space to display. I am thinking of going smaller now.

I am thinking of scratch building scale rockets using BT20 tubes and the 13mm mini motors. I can see some benefits to the smaller size...
- I could launch them at the balloon park right around the corner from my house.
- They would be much easier to make custom nose cones for
- They could fit into the display case easier and the case would hold more. For example a Nike Smoke would be about 12 inches tall. The IQSY would be just under 14.5 inches
- Rockets would be cheaper to build
- It would take about the same amount of time to build the smaller rocket, maybe more since I have to make nose cones and decals

The only downsides I can see right now is that
- I would have to make my own nose cones for most of them
- I would need to make decals

So what am I missing. What do you think? Would love some input.

-Bob

 

[Charles_McG]

eRockets has many nosecones.
You get to use streamers instead of chutes.
You have limited motor selection - I wish for an A10-5.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/nasa-pegasus-downscale.136950/

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/qcc-mini.135903/

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/a-little-photon-disruptor-project.132678/#post-1565238

 

[BABAR]

A10T actually comes out very close to A8

https://www.rocketreviews.com/compare-estes-a10t-to-estes-a8.html

So long as you keep the models light and low drag the 13 mm motors are a great and economical choice for small fields

 

[GlenP]

Running out of space for rockets was my necessity to start building mini-sized downscales, and also having a small field nearby for launching, suitable for a Wizard on an A or B, but not on a C.

But, I went ahead and got a Mean Machine anyway, that thing is just awesome! A rocket collection is like a gaseous state of matter: it will expand to completely fill the entire container you store it in. You can have a garage full of small rockets for small fields, or a garage full of large rockets for large fields. ToMAYto, toMAHto. Nice to have options!

I need to start making a space in anticipation of the Estes 50th anniversary commemorative edition of the Apollo 11 Saturn V. I have no idea where I am going to keep that one, but I am definitely going to get one! I will put it right next to my Dr. Zooch Saturn V and my FlisKits MX Mighty Saturn V!

 

[kuririn]

You can scratch build if you prefer, but there are also a lot of kits available:
https://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/by-engine/by-engine-mini?limit=all

And cardstock mini engine powered:
https://rocketry.wordpress.com/ultimate-paper-rocket-guide/paper-rocket-partial-builds/

As Charles mentioned, erockets has a bunch of balsa nose cones in BT-5 and BT-20 sizes:
https://www.erockets.biz/bnc-5/
https://www.erockets.biz/bnc-20/

And if you REALLY want to save space you can go MicroMaxx:
https://www.erockets.biz/micro-1/
https://www.questaerospace.com/MicroMaxx_Motors__amp;_Igniters/cat4193206_3447128.aspx

Myself, I like 'em all, from 1/8A Micro Maxx to Aerotech Gs. But something about losing a big, expensive rocket, plus an expensive motor casing, plus expensive electronics, that really puts a damper on your enthusiasm. Each has its place.

 

[Bruiser]

You can scratch build if you prefer, but there are also a lot of kits available:
https://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/by-engine/by-engine-mini?limit=all

There was only one scale rocket there, the Honest John. The only other manufacturer I have found kiting scale rockets designed for 13mm engine is ASP. There are a lot of military rockets I would like to build that there are no LPR kits for. The only part about scratch building that I am worried about is the decals...

The micro max are cool but I think they are just a tad too small for my aging eyes to be able to produce what would be tiny details.

Thanks for all the input,
-Bob

 

[BigRiJoe]

I wish for an A-3-6T

 

[GlenP]

.... The only part about scratch building that I am worried about is the decals...

InkScape is a handy utility for drawing your own decals on a computer. You can import existing scanned decal sheets, re-scale them, then "trace" over them if the scan quality was not that good. It has rulers and guides so that you can draw a 1" square on screen and it will print 1" on the paper.

https://inkscape.org/en/

I print decals on an ink-jet printer using Testor's ink-jet waterslide decal paper, then after printing spray with Rustoleoum 2X glossy clear. Cut and apply just like regular waterslide decals.

You can also use sticky label paper and make your own peel and stickers, which might be required since it can be hard to get white or light colors with the water slide decals, they don't totally block a darker paint color underneath.

(Honest John white lettering on a decal over the Olive Drab is an example of that challenge)