The NASA model building thread

[Dyna-Soar]

What fuel do you use for your rockets?

unless he uses something else, I would say Estes black powder engines.

[Aobrien]

How did you get to launch them at KSC? As it looks like in the background with the rocket garden.

[Jorge]

How did you get to launch them at KSC? As it looks like in the background with the rocket garden.

That's actually JSC. There's a large open field to the west of JSC's rocket park that is used as an antenna test range.

[Aobrien]

Does anyone know where I could get a good model space shuttle for around $20. By the way I'm in the US.

Thanks

[dwmzmm]

What fuel do you use for your rockets?

unless he uses something else, I would say Estes black powder engines.

Yes, it's Estes black powder engines.  You can easily get them at many
Wal-Marts, Hobby Lobby's, and hobby stores around the country. 

[dwmzmm]

How did you get to launch them at KSC? As it looks like in the background with the rocket garden.

That's actually JSC. There's a large open field to the west of JSC's rocket park that is used as an antenna test range.

That's right, the NASA/Houston Rocket Club launches from the asphalt
area that's to the west of Rocket Park (the R/C guys use a big part of
this area, too).  The first pic of the Little Joe was taken in June 2004 when work of the Saturn - V restoration was just getting underway.  The
last picture was taken in May 2005 with the Saturn completely enclosed
in the building, but the restoration work had not been fully completed
then.  Both of the Little Joe liftoff pics were taken by Warren Benson of
the NHRC club. 

[dwmzmm]

Does anyone know where I could get a good model space shuttle for around $20. By the way I'm in the US.

Thanks

Are you looking for a flying model, or one just for display?  I've seen good
display models in hobby shops and Hobby Lobby.  For the Estes flying
model, it's been OOP (Out Of Production) for a number of years, but one
usually pops up on e-bay from time to time. 

[grafgulch]

You have guts... Launching a  Centuri LJII.. Very cool.

Paul

[zerm]

Does anyone know where I could get a good model space shuttle for around $20. By the way I'm in the US.

Thanks

drzooch.com

[dwmzmm]

You have guts... Launching a  Centuri LJII.. Very cool.

Paul

I also have the guts to launch my Centuri Saturn - V!!

[I14R10]

I also have the guts to launch my Centuri Saturn - V!!
[/quote]

Nice... It would be even better if it could separate stages and at the end land capsule with parachutes

[dwmzmm]

I also have the guts to launch my Centuri Saturn - V!!

Nice... It would be even better if it could separate stages and at the end land capsule with parachutes
[/quote]

I think some model rocketeer modified his Estes 1/100 scale Saturn - V
to fly three staged.  Read it somewhere but don't remember just when and where.  I recall the flight was a success!

[mike robel]

There was a high power one that had the 1st stage fail, but had the upper stages ignite successfully.  I can't find that one, but here is a 17 foot, single stage launch



Found it.  three stage Saturn V Launch  1/16 sclae

http://www.vatsaas.org/rtv/cinema/cinema.aspx#saturnv

And just for fun, 1/16 scale N-1

http://www.moonrace2001.org/n1_rocket.shtml

[luke strawwalker]

Does anyone know where I could get a good model space shuttle for around $20. By the way I'm in the US.

Thanks

If you're talking about a flying model, check out Dr. Zooch's shuttle kit at http://klydemart.com/spaceshuttle.html  It's a little more than $20 but EMRR reviews are mostly favorable that it's a good flyer! 

If you're looking for a static model, I've seen some 1/144 plastic display kits at Hobby Lobby, but I don't remember the price. 

Good Luck!  OL JR

[luke strawwalker]

I also have the guts to launch my Centuri Saturn - V!!

Nice... It would be even better if it could separate stages and at the end land capsule with parachutes

I think some model rocketeer modified his Estes 1/100 scale Saturn - V
to fly three staged.  Read it somewhere but don't remember just when and where.  I recall the flight was a success!
[/quote]

There was an article on a two or three stage Saturn V in an issue of American Spacemodeling from the late 80's or early 90's IIRC... back in my pre-BAR days...  I still have the magazines but I'd have to dig to find which one... 

The model was using flashbulb ignition and had clear plastic folding fins on the upper stage(s), I remember that.  It was a pretty complicated outfit. 

There are some cool pix of a two stage Saturn Ib from NARAM-50 this summer in this month's LAUNCH magazine.  Yall take it easy!  OL JR

[rocketguy101]

I built a Jupiter 120 based on a BT-70, which would be a 1:152.72 scale model.

The SRB scale diameter is 0.945 inches.  I used a BT-50 since I had that handy, so the model SRBs are a little oversized.  The Service Module (SM) scale diameter is 1.220 inches, so my BT-55 SM is again a little oversized. 

This version has fixed SRBs and will flies on a single 24mm motor.  The complete build thread is over on The Rocketry Forum at
http://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=44788 with complete drawings and patterns.

I finished the model back in May, but was not able to fly it until today.  Here is the liftoff pic and a shot of it under the chute.  The LH SRB came off when the chute deployed, but suffered minimal damage.  A little epoxy and this baby will be ready to fly again!!

Many thanks to Ross and the Direct Team for checking my drawings and providing assistance.

[dwmzmm]

I built a Jupiter 120 based on a BT-70, which would be a 1:152.72 scale model.

The SRB scale diameter is 0.945 inches.  I used a BT-50 since I had that handy, so the model SRBs are a little oversized.  The Service Module (SM) scale diameter is 1.220 inches, so my BT-55 SM is again a little oversized. 

This version has fixed SRBs and will flies on a single 24mm motor.  The complete build thread is over on The Rocketry Forum at
http://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=44788 with complete drawings and patterns.

I finished the model back in May, but was not able to fly it until today.  Here is the liftoff pic and a shot of it under the chute.  The LH SRB came off when the chute deployed, but suffered minimal damage.  A little epoxy and this baby will be ready to fly again!!

Many thanks to Ross and the Direct Team for checking my drawings and providing assistance.

Great build job, David!  I'm going to have to go back through your build
thread at The Rocketry Forum and save those files you provided.  I love
the way your finished product looks; no way I could come close to the
quality you put into it.  Well done!

[rocketguy101]

Great build job, David!  I'm going to have to go back through your build
thread at The Rocketry Forum and save those files you provided.  I love
the way your finished product looks; no way I could come close to the
quality you put into it.  Well done!

Thanks Dave, this was my first "serious" scratch scale so I appreciate your kind words...I wanted to make powered SRBs that would separate, but figured I had better crawl before walking or running
BTW, I have seen your postings and you do great work!

[dwmzmm]

Great build job, David!  I'm going to have to go back through your build
thread at The Rocketry Forum and save those files you provided.  I love
the way your finished product looks; no way I could come close to the
quality you put into it.  Well done!

Thanks Dave, this was my first "serious" scratch scale so I appreciate your kind words...I wanted to make powered SRBs that would separate, but figured I had better crawl before walking or running
BTW, I have seen your postings and you do great work!

Your best bet for the design & operation of the powered SRB's is to check
George Gassaway's website (or maybe contact him directly); he's successfully done this with his large scale Space Shuttle models and has
the plans available.  There's even a video clip on his website showing this
taking place.  You may have to upscale your model (consider the one you
have a boilerplate) to make the powered SRB's work.  Good luck and let
us know how it goes!

[rocketguy101]

Your best bet for the design & operation of the powered SRB's is to check
George Gassaway's website (or maybe contact him directly); he's successfully done this with his large scale Space Shuttle models and has
the plans available.  There's even a video clip on his website showing this
taking place.  You may have to upscale your model (consider the one you
have a boilerplate) to make the powered SRB's work.  Good luck and let
us know how it goes!

I am familiar w/ George's site, I used his SRB drawings to obtain some of the details for this model.  It is a fantastic reference!