Estes Commanche

sport, three stage

Estes' Commanche is a three-stage BT-50 based sport model. One of my sons (Aleron) gave me this kit for Christmas, 1997. My wife also presented me with a copy, so I've got some back-up in case either of the upper stages fly away. The model is a bit more than a 3FNC (would you believe 9FNC?), but it's a pretty easy build.

The first stage of this model is normally loaded with a D12-0, the second stage is any 18mm booster (I've got some 1/2A6-0, A8-0 and B14-0 in stock <G>) and the top stage gets whatever long delay 18mm motor you're brave enough to install. ;-) I haven't yet been able to find any A8-5s, but I might use my 18-10.5mm adapter to use an Apogee A2-7 in the top stage.

The top stage is built from two pieces of BT-50 joined by a tubing coupler. I think my backup will be built to break at that joint (making the top half a payload section) rather than at the nose cone. this should make it easier to transport (shorter) in my little roller skate ('92 Geo Metro) and may improve recovery (less volume to pressurize for ejection).

I'm using yellow glue rivets for the top two stages and good fillets to try to avoid fin shredding. I can't do that on the first stage (due to the minimum-diameter BT-50 used as a 24mm motor mount) so I'll be using epoxy for the connection and fillets there.

Built: in process - started January, 1998
Launches:
none, yet
Repairs:
	none, yet

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Last Updated: 3 February, 1998
Author:	Alan Rognlie
Email:	arrognli@execpc.com
© Copyright 1997, 1998 unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright © 1997, 1998 by Jeanne Rognlie - all rights reserved