novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Just a quick thread for a pair of mid power builds I'm doing over the summer, in between other projects! I decided to pick up an upscale clone of the Bull Pup, and a downscale version of the Apogee Katana. Should be a fun set of projects!
I've always loved the Bull Pup 12D. In fact, despite my obsessive focus with models like the Explorer Aquarius, I think the BP12D is probably my favorite Estes model. Easy to build, looks good on the shelf, super fun to fly. What's not to love?
Well, the size, I suppose. Let's face it, it's a teeny model. It would be cooler if it were bigger, right?
Good for us we have a few options. You can get the Bull Puppy 2.2 and Bull Puppy 3.1 from Public Missiles via LOC's website, and they both look great. I was getting ready to pull the trigger on the 2.2 version when I noticed that Bad Boy Rocketry had one on ebay for a little less than the 2.2 version, and pretty much the same size as the 2.2, but it looked a little more like the Estes kit, and it had a simpler build profile while being just as sturdy. Plus, I've bought from BBR before and they seem on their game. So I chose that one. Believe me though.....I was SERIOUSLY tempted to get the Bull Puppy 3.1. It has a 38mm motor mount and can fly 29mm motors via an adapter, but after much soul searching I decided that the truth is, I'm not in a position to fly HPR where I live, and I'm not ready to spend the money on HPR motors versus mid power Fs and Gs, so any flight of the bigger BP 3.1 might look pretty on the pad, but would probably be a little underwhelming to fly. There's always next year.
The one I picked showed up in the mail a few days ago. I just sat down this morning to cut down the boattail, and to mark out the fin locations & cut the TTW slots. So far it's nice and easy to go together!
The size of this next to the Estes version is perfect for my field. Big enough for some oomph but not so large as to take up all the space in the trunk.
Test fitting the lower fins just a few minutes ago. I'm going to use an Estes retention ring so I need to make sure I have enough room for my top centering ring!
I like the way she looks so far. I DID get the Katana Jr in the mail yesterday. One of the little assembly jigsaw puzzle pieces on one fin came broken, but last time I checked I'm a decent modeler and I can solve that with minor fuss. Pics of that as it begins assembly....but I will probably make sure the BP is farther along before I go pulling that one out.
I've always loved the Bull Pup 12D. In fact, despite my obsessive focus with models like the Explorer Aquarius, I think the BP12D is probably my favorite Estes model. Easy to build, looks good on the shelf, super fun to fly. What's not to love?
Well, the size, I suppose. Let's face it, it's a teeny model. It would be cooler if it were bigger, right?
Good for us we have a few options. You can get the Bull Puppy 2.2 and Bull Puppy 3.1 from Public Missiles via LOC's website, and they both look great. I was getting ready to pull the trigger on the 2.2 version when I noticed that Bad Boy Rocketry had one on ebay for a little less than the 2.2 version, and pretty much the same size as the 2.2, but it looked a little more like the Estes kit, and it had a simpler build profile while being just as sturdy. Plus, I've bought from BBR before and they seem on their game. So I chose that one. Believe me though.....I was SERIOUSLY tempted to get the Bull Puppy 3.1. It has a 38mm motor mount and can fly 29mm motors via an adapter, but after much soul searching I decided that the truth is, I'm not in a position to fly HPR where I live, and I'm not ready to spend the money on HPR motors versus mid power Fs and Gs, so any flight of the bigger BP 3.1 might look pretty on the pad, but would probably be a little underwhelming to fly. There's always next year.
The one I picked showed up in the mail a few days ago. I just sat down this morning to cut down the boattail, and to mark out the fin locations & cut the TTW slots. So far it's nice and easy to go together!
The size of this next to the Estes version is perfect for my field. Big enough for some oomph but not so large as to take up all the space in the trunk.
Test fitting the lower fins just a few minutes ago. I'm going to use an Estes retention ring so I need to make sure I have enough room for my top centering ring!
I like the way she looks so far. I DID get the Katana Jr in the mail yesterday. One of the little assembly jigsaw puzzle pieces on one fin came broken, but last time I checked I'm a decent modeler and I can solve that with minor fuss. Pics of that as it begins assembly....but I will probably make sure the BP is farther along before I go pulling that one out.