Clone Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper Clone

Clone - Estes Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper {Scratch}

Contributed by Frank Casey

Manufacturer: Clone
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

Brief:
This is a scratchbuilt clone o' t' Estes Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper kit, #1310.

Estes Battlestar Gallactica Colonial ViperEstes Battlestar Gallactica Colonial Viper

Estes Battlestar Gallactica Colonial Viper Parts were either ordered from Semroc or I had them in me parts supply. Blimey! T' instructions were t' original Estes instructions downloaded from JimZ's site. Arrr! T' decals were copied from JimZ's site and printed on white waterslide decal paper usin' me inkjet printer.

Modifications:
T' only modifications I made were as follows:

 

  • Traced t' canopy onto a manila folder instead o' a piece o' paper. Ahoy! Blimey! I was able t' mold t' canopy as indicated in t' instructions but it came out much stronger.
  • Cut t' nose cone that I ordered from Semroc at an angle and then drilled out t' center usin' wood bit and me hand held drill.
  • Added a second launch lug t' t' finished product t' give it a more symmetrical look. This be just a style change that I made based on personal preference.

Construction:
T' parts list:

  • Balsa for fins (had on hand)
  • 1 Body Tube BT50 9.5" long (ordered from Semroc)
  • 3 Turbo Tube BT-52 3.938" long (ordered from Semroc)
  • 2 Launch Lugs (small) (had on hand)
  • 2 Launch Lugs (large) (had on hand)
  • 1 Dowel (had on hand)
  • 1 Engine Tube type BT-20J (had on hand)
  • 1 Engine Holder type EH-2 (had on hand)
  • 1 Strapdown Rin' (had on hand)
  • 1 Split Centerin' Rin' (had on hand)
  • 1 Card Stock Sheet (for two alignment guides and canopy) (used manila folder)
  • 1 Paper sheet (used for shock cord mount)
  • 1 Nose Cone BT-50 3.25" ellipse (ordered from Semroc)
  • 4 Lead Weights (ordered from Semroc)
  • 1 Shock Cord (had on hand)
  • 1 Parachute (had on hand)
  • 1 Tape Disks (had on hand)
  • 1 Decal Set (copied from JimZ's and printed on me inkjet printer usin' white waterslide decal paper).

Estes Battlestar Gallactica Colonial Viper

Finishing:
I primed, filled spirals, me hearties, sanded, ya bilge rat, primed, painted t' model gloss white and then applied t' decals.

Flight and Recovery:
Recommended motors are B6-4 and C6-5. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! I used a C6-3s on me four flights and be pleased with t' flights and recovery.

None o' t' flights so far have been arrow straight boosts. Begad! T' rocket takes more o' an arched flight. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! However it gets respectable height and doesn't arch over too much. I'm very pleased with it's performance.

I would suggest nay flyin' this on a windy day since t' numerous fin surfaces could easily cause it t' arch over a good deal if it were t' catch a gust o' wind.

Summary:
I had a great time buildin' this rocket and would recommend t' build t' anyone who is lookin' for a challenge beyond buildin' from a kit.

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Comments:

avatar
Dale Marshall (March 7, 2012)

Gret-looking scratch build! I bought a kit from MoreRockets.com and had to add 2.5 pallets of clay noseweight to get mine to fly straight up.  I agree about not launching in the wind too... last time I did that mine flew straight and level about 100' off the launch pad!

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