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Category: Scratch Built Rockets

Back in the early 80's Estes released the Patrol Cruiser Excalibur (Kit #1399) as part of the "Galactic Pirates" series.

It was a great futuristic looking rocket designed by Keith Niskern, selling for $7.00 and available from 1980 to '81.

Here's the Catalog Page from 1980

Estes Patrol Cruiser Excalibur Catalog Page

I ended up scratch-building one to the same dimensions as Estes originally offered - BT60 body tube, the nose cone was the same for the Der Red Max - all easily obtainable parts. Looked neat, but I wanted bigger.... So upscale it was!

Here's the parts.... And the final result!

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)   Sascha's Patrol Cruiser Excalibur (4" Upscale)

Click through for the build photos of the airframe

Rear Shroud Marked up, cut and placed on airframe

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)   Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Body tube and rear shroud glassed

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Laser cut cockpit

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Each of the 4 fins (3 rear and 1 front) were glassed in a vacuum bag

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Through The Wall slot marking template

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Dry fit of fins

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Rail Buttons Installed & Primed.

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Patrol Cruiser Excalibur 4" Upscale (Build)

Click though for Part 2