Originally Posted by Mark II

Just a couple of additional comment on the FSI Vikings. I don't know if they were the first tube-finned kits that anyone produced, but they were introduced pretty early on. I also feel that the Vikings are some of the nicest tube-fin rockets designs that I've seen yet, and they are very unique.

Mark Kulka

Originally Posted by Mark II

Yes, I haven't spent much time spec'ing out the parts for the FSI scale models yet. I'll tackle those in awhile and want to get some scale data first anyway. I do have scale data on the Sandhawk, and I would be comfortable building that, but I don't think that Semroc has the right nosecone for it yet, nor do they have the nc for the Nike Smoke. I did see that they had the nc for the BB, so I could build it, but I would be more comfortable if I had more scale data first. FSI did provide some data with their plans, but, as with all thie kits, the information is a little skimpy.

I am really enjoying working my way through the FSI catalog - big (for the most part), sturdy designs that are quite easy to build. I had built a few Estes clones and one Centuri clone before (and am still building more ongoing) but this is the first big cloning project I've tackled. I'm glad to hear that Semroc is preparing to release some kits of these designs.

I do feel that some of the FSI designs could make good SLS kits. It might be cool, for instance, to upscale at least one of the Vikings, so that there would be a tube-finned SLS kit. The Viking V, which is quite a bit larger than its predecessors, could be released in true scale, without the need for upsizing. The Penetrator, Nova, Voyager and Orbit, upscaled 175%, might also make nice SLS kits. (These would also all be great as Retro-Repros as well.) I would suggest using the later versions of the Orbit and the Sprint (and others), rather than the earlier, pre-1971 versions.

Mark Kulka

Originally Posted by barone

Mark,

This is a great era to be looking at cloning the FSI line of rockets. Many of the originals had poorly machined parts, mainly hardwood adapters or nosecones that weren't straight. Everytime I look at my Sprint, I wish I had cloned it instead so it would look straight. I'm really looking forward to Carl producing this line as Retro-Repos for that reason. The Viking V was my first FSI kit......an awesome rocket and excellent candidate for 29mm.

Originally Posted by Mark II

Did anyone here ever have an Intrepid? Talk about yer monster kits...

And it IS on my project list for later this year; I already have the parts list.

Mark K.

Originally Posted by barone

Yep....still in box (albeit opened to post plans here). Will probably go with the clone for this so I can put together an updated thrust pak (maybe a cluster of composites)

Originally Posted by Mark II

I'm not sure, but I think that the FSI archive at YORF may be the only complete (give or take a few decal scans ) library of plans of a major OOP company's entire catalog of kits that is publicly posted anywhere. And now, thanks to Carl (who is already well-known as someone who rocks), they are so cloneable by people like me, who never got to see and build these kits when they were in production.

Originally Posted by Ltvscout

That's what I've been looking to do. While JimZ has most of the Centuri and Estes plans available (I have most of the plans that he doesn't) I'm going more for showcasing the plans of all the other rocket companies out there. Watch for a huge set of Quest plans at my next YORP update. Thanks to Bill Stine for giving me permission to post them and to Don Fent who scanned up a bunch of OOP Quest plans for me. Craig McGraw has sent me some Quest plans as well.

Originally Posted by A Fish Named Wallyum

Anything from RDC coming up?

Originally Posted by Carl@Semroc

Debating about doing the Feather. I have plans for it, Rawhide, and Scorpion. I would like to have scans of their nose cones to complete the parts line.