Estes Star Wars R2-D2

Estes - R2-D2 {Kit} (1301) [1978-1980]

Contributed by Herb Estus

Diameter: 3.74 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 2
Style: Odd-Roc

 

R2D2Brief:
This started as t' Estes Fifteenth Anniversary R2D2 . Ya scallywag! Blimey! Which be designed t' fly off a C6-3. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I have modified it t' fly off 29mm motors because R2D2 just begged for more power t' fly .

Modifications:
First step be makin' t' fins bigger, I used t' original plastic fins for t' pattern, matey, shiver me timbers, however I made them 2" longer with t' 1/8" plywood. Avast! When I first did this I just glued t' plywood fins t' t' plastic fins. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! This didn't work out t' well . Begad! After 2 flights t' plastic broke. Begad! I made another set o' plywood fins still 2" longer. Avast, me proud beauty! This time I used 8/32 screws and screwed them t' t' legs. So far this has been ok.

Next step be makin' t' centerin' rings. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I used t' original as a pattern just makin' t' center hole t' fit t' 29mm motor tube. Begad! Begad! For this I just used 1/8" solid cardboard because I wanted t' keep t' weight down.

I used a LOC 29mm motor tube 5" long. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Blimey! and a Acme 1/4" launch lug.

For added weight in t' head I originally used 4 pennies along with t' weights that had come with t' kit. Aye aye! This worked well and R2D2 weighed in at 8 oz. Begad! Ya scallywag! until t' shock cord got caught on a wire and pulled t' disk out that was holdin' t' weight in. I used Devcon Plastic Welder mixed right in t' head. Aye aye!  I added lead shot and glued t' shock cord right in with t' mix. His head now weighs approximately 5.6 oz. Blimey! For a total overall weight o' approximately 10 oz.

Construction:
T' followin' parts are what I used from t' original Kit.

4" body tube, body decal wrap, arrr, me bucko, plastic legs, plastic head, me hearties, plastic tail cone, and plastic fins

T' followin' are t' parts I used t' make t' changes t' use 29mm motors.

1/8" plywood for fins, 8/32 screws, 1/8" solid cardboard 1/4" Acme launch lug, 29mm LOC motor tube, Devcon Plastic Welder and lead shot.

This built and finished easily enough even though I have made some changes after flyin' a few times t' make things even better. Blimey! I used Titebond II t' glue t' centerin' rings and motor mount t' t' body.

I originally used plastic cement t' glue t' legs t' t' body, me hearties, ya bilge rat, this worked for 2 flight. On t' 3 rd flight t' glue let loose on t' leg causin' a fin t' shred. After this I then used 8/32 bolts t' screw t' legs right t' t' body. Begad! Now t' side o' t' body would have t' rip out for them t' come off.

Flight:
T' shock cord is only a piece o' Keelhaul®©™ threadin' 2.5' long. Avast, me proud beauty! I have used 12", shiver me timbers, 18" and 24" parachutes in this just depended on how t' wind was on t' days I flew it.

Now for t' flights since t' mods I made I have only flown this on 29mm motors even though I had planned on flyin' this with a 24 mm adapter. Arrr! Just don't see that happenin' now. Ahoy! Begad! Accordin' t' RocSim I am gettin' about 2000' out o' a rocket that be original designed for 200'

Flight 1- F20-4 Econojet - CATO on take off,  landed and broke fin. Repaired fin for next day's flight

Flight 2 - F20-4 Econojet, arrr, me bucko, this time motor worked great and R2 went for a nice straight flight .

Flight 3 - G35-4 This started out as a good flight ,then t' one leg pulled away from t' body tube, After this I then bolted t' legs t' t' body tube.

Flight 4 - G35-4 This time everythin' worked great ,however t' shock cord got caught on a wire rippin' t' disk out o' t' head holdin' t' weights in. Well, me bucko, blow me down! It be after this that I used t' Plastic Welder and lead shot for t' weight

Flight 5 - G64-4 This took off nice and straight and accordin' t' RocSim should o' hit approximately. Avast, me proud beauty! 2000'. Chute got tangled and screws pulled plastic legs where fins where attached ,I fixed this by addin' washers t' t' screws which I should have done t' begin with.

Flight 6 - G64-4 Another nice nice again t' about 2000' Again t' chute got tangled on me ,However no damage t' t' rocket.

T' picture was taken at t' Oct. Blimey! NEPRA launch by Bob Theobold. Ahoy! Begad! It is takin' off on a G64-4

Summary:
If you find one o' these rockets don't build it stock. At least modify t' take 24mm motors you will be much happier, arrr, Also throw out t' original plastic fins and make plywood ones these won't break and warp like t' original plastic fins.

Other Reviews
  • Estes Star Wars R2-D2 By Ken Johnson

    A flying replica of the Star Wars R2D2. The instructions were easy to follow, and the order of assembly seemed logical. The kit components were all there and fit well, except for the body wrap decal, which was a bit too short, leaving a 1/8" gap. Regular wood glue and styrene cement were all that was needed. Finishing: The decal for the body tube fit poorly, requiring additional painting. ...

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