Scott, have you seen the two new kits from NewWay? Der Squared Max and Boxie Birdie.

Dan

Just the pictures - I have a NewWay space fighter style kit on hand to build but that’s the only square rocket on the pile...so far. Der Squared Max is intriguing.

I was onsite at ERockets about two weeks ago and had a very nice conversation with Randy. Balsa is still an issue. While they can find some, it's very expensive. I saw the upscale Orbital Transport and asked when it was going to market. While I didn't get a date, I get the feeling that it will be soon. They had a number of printed nose cones and tail cones sitting on the table that has just come off the printer.

Said that they are trying to work on cost and pricing on the kit now. Hopefully we get it soon as I'm ready to jump to the front of the line.

Was hoping it would use all balsa.
I'll buy one anyway, but not a fan of plastic cones.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.

It's not that hard to choose roughly what size you want, check for tube ratios and nose shapes that would fit, then make your own.

DL the plans/templates from JimZ's site, and scale up & print the patterns as appropriate.

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Contest flying, Sport flying, it's all good.....
NAR# 18723 NAR.org
GeorgesRockets.com

These looked good. They had molded in cockpits.

I think the decision was made based on cost and availability. They need to come to market at a cost someone is willing to pay and balsa costs would probably prevent that.

I can also see availability of Balsa delaying the release.

Balsa shortage.

I've known this tidbit since 2012.

The blades on the wind turbines use balsa that are covered in fiberglass.

That's where most of the balsa is going, hence the shortage!

So go grab a turbine blade and break one off and you will have all the balsa you will ever need!

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If it flies, I can crash it!

GM stopped using Balsa sandwiched between thin sheets of Aluminum and carbon fibre for Corvette floor pans due to increasing costs.
Now they are just Stainless Steel or Carbon Fibre.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.

My Super Orbital Transport is BT-60 main tube, making it a 1.68X upscale. The orbiter I built is 29mm tube, which is very close to perfect (1.21” OD vs. 1.23” OD at scale factor). A BT-55 is a bit too large.

I took my original templates to Kinko’s (this was back around 2010) and had them enlarged and printed on cardstock-like 11x17 paper.

I bought a BNC-60K nose cone from eRockets (original nose cone is a BNC-50K), and I turned my own orbiter nose cone.

Most of the transporter is basswood, the orbiter is all balsa. Tango Papa made my decals.

First picture it is next to my standard OT. It looks a lot bigger than the scale factor of 1.68X, I think. I flew it at NSL-2017 in the Upscale Competition on an E18 reload in the 24/40 RMS. Perfect motor for it! It lifted aggressively, and reached an altitude whete you could see ejection clearly, andthe orbiter detach. Second picture shows it on my 20mm rail prior to liftoff.

Attached Thumbnails

   

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, EAC Firecat (Mini HoJo bash), Estes Maxi Honest John
In the Paint Shop: Estes 1:100 Saturn 1B (old #2048 kit)
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Cirrus (scratch 29mm min. dia.), Bertha and Betty (inseparable sisters)

Has there been any recent word on the Semroc upscale lately ?
Really want one.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.