Torellian Invader: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "{{RocketInfoBox |image = Torellian-invader.jpg |diameter = 1 inch (25mm) |length = 20 inches (51 cm) |weight = 1.3 oz. (37 g) |motor-size = 18mm |flights = 1 |status = Ready to fly }} The Estes Torellian Invader is the only finished rocket I still have that I built when I was a kid. It was sold as a two-pack with another sci-fi kit, the Orion Starfighter, around 1980. I remember that I assembled the Starfighter and might have p...") |
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I had put so much work into painting the Torellian Invader and getting all the decals on that I was afraid to fly it. My track record with recovering rockets was not great in those days, so this wasn't entirely an irrational fear. I don't know exactly when I built this rocket, but I finally flew it in 2022, so I told everyone it was "about" forty years old. I replaced the shock cord, which had crumbled to dust, and put a good nylon parachute in it. It flew great on an A8-3. | I had put so much work into painting the Torellian Invader and getting all the decals on that I was afraid to fly it. My track record with recovering rockets was not great in those days, so this wasn't entirely an irrational fear. I don't know exactly when I built this rocket, but I finally flew it in 2022, so I told everyone it was "about" forty years old. I replaced the shock cord, which had crumbled to dust, and put a good nylon parachute in it. It flew great on an A8-3. | ||
A future project I'd like to do is a 3" or 4" upscale of this rocket. I also have an unbuilt Estes Super Neon XL, a very similar rocket, which I plan to turn into | A future project I'd like to do is a [[Torellian_Invader_(3"_or_4"_upscale)|3" or 4" upscale]] of this rocket. I also have an unbuilt Estes Super Neon XL, a very similar rocket, which I plan to turn into a [[Torellian_Invader_(1.6"_upscale)|1.6" upscale Torellian Invader.]] | ||
<gallery mode="slideshow"> | <gallery mode="slideshow"> | ||
Revision as of 16:23, 15 April 2023
The Estes Torellian Invader is the only finished rocket I still have that I built when I was a kid. It was sold as a two-pack with another sci-fi kit, the Orion Starfighter, around 1980. I remember that I assembled the Starfighter and might have primed it but hadn't painted it. It might still be in a box somewhere in my house.
I had put so much work into painting the Torellian Invader and getting all the decals on that I was afraid to fly it. My track record with recovering rockets was not great in those days, so this wasn't entirely an irrational fear. I don't know exactly when I built this rocket, but I finally flew it in 2022, so I told everyone it was "about" forty years old. I replaced the shock cord, which had crumbled to dust, and put a good nylon parachute in it. It flew great on an A8-3.
A future project I'd like to do is a 3" or 4" upscale of this rocket. I also have an unbuilt Estes Super Neon XL, a very similar rocket, which I plan to turn into a 1.6" upscale Torellian Invader.
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On the pad for its first flight
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The Estes catalog page for the Starfighter Combo Kit. Eight dollars!
