I'm thinking of cloning an Estes Solar Sailer.
One source says the printed fin stock was 1/16" thick.
Can anyone confirm the balsa thickness?

Thanks!

__________________
Hans "Chris" Michielssen
Old/New NAR # 19086 SR

www.oddlrockets.com
www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com
http://www.nar.org/educational-reso...ing-techniques/
Your results may vary
"Nose cones roll, be careful with that."
Every spaceman needs a ray gun.
Look out - I'm the Meister Shyster!

On the Gerry Fortin page it looks like the dowels are 1/8” which would lead me to believe that the balsa is 3/32”. My 2 cents.

__________________
Rick Randol
NAR #28062, ROCI Section #625
http://www.newwayspacemodels.com
http://www.indyrockets.org
NewWay Space Models-We Cornered Model Rocketry

Clone build thread on TRF has the fins as 1/16”

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...d-thread.51561/

And the PDR clone kit had 1/16” fins too

http://archive.rocketreviews.com/re...ar_sailor.shtml

Does anyone know the differences were between the Solar Sailer and the Solar Sailer 2?

I found one tidbit that indicated the "2" version was shorter.

I have two of the "2" versions, one built, one in bag

The SS2 is shorter - 28.5” vs 39” and of course lighter by 28g - according to the 1991 and 1978 catalogs.

http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/ca...91/91est40.html

http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/no...a/78est032.html

Thanks to everybody for the balsa thickness information.
I did do some searches before asking.
It just seemed strange the balsa was that thin
when most all LPR kits have fins that are 3/32" thick.

__________________
Hans "Chris" Michielssen
Old/New NAR # 19086 SR

www.oddlrockets.com
www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com
http://www.nar.org/educational-reso...ing-techniques/
Your results may vary
"Nose cones roll, be careful with that."
Every spaceman needs a ray gun.
Look out - I'm the Meister Shyster!

It must be because sailcloth is so thin …

__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Chris-

Maybe send a PM to Buzz McDermott here on YORF. He supplied the Solar Sailer instructions that Scott has here in the YORF vintage instruction section.

Link: https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/este...297/est1297.htm

Maybe he remembers the balsa thickness.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Here is Carl's research on the Solar Sailer. Remember how easy this used to be? We'd just click on the parts list and make a couple more clicks and WHAMO! A white box would be on our doorsteps in two days.

Sorry, I can't translate FES-1297 or FES-1297A right now, but Randy might help you.

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__________________
I love sanding.

I measured the fin thickness on my Solar Sailer and found it was 3/16 inch.