Estes 1301 R2-D2 Robot Hero model rocket + R4, R5, and R6 nosecones

3D printable replacements for the plastic parts of Estes 1301 R2-D2 Robot Hero model rocket including alternate designs
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updated December 23, 2023

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Estes released model rocket #1301 - R2-D2 Robot Hero in the late 70's and again in the 90's. These files will recreate the nosecone, legs, skirt and fins included with the kit.

The rocket was known for being underpowered, a bit unstable, and frequently breaking the fins on landing.  Upgrading the kit to a 24mm motor mount is strongly encouraged.  The nosecone here includes space for adding additional weight, and I've included an alternate set of larger fins for better stability.  3D printed fins are stronger than the plastic fins included with the kit as well.

The dome in the kit was simplified from the actual design, so I've included a version that matches the kit, and one that better matches the movie.  The kit replaced the holo-projectors with stickers, and you can do that with this one, or print the included holo-projectors and glue them on where the stickers go.  

The legs and skirt have small changes that make them more movie accurate.  In the kit both legs were identical but for greater accuracy print one leg as a mirror of the other.  The mirrored leg should go on R2's right side (your left).

The body tube for the rocket is a 4.05" long BT-100.  Semroc makes these still and eRockets.biz carries them and centering rings for a BT-50.  I have sent upgraded scans of the decals and plans to JimZ's site so you should have everything you need to clone this kit now.

For printing, I used a 0.12 layer height and printed using white Sunlu PLA+ filament.  Use tree supports and set X/Y overrides Z or you'll get way more supports than needed.  Also, if you set the outer wall  wine width to be less than the nozzle size you get better detail.  With a 0.4 nozzle I used a 0.3 outer wall line width.

For the dome I blocked supports around the threads at the top.  For the legs I blocked supports around the screw hole near the bottom of the leg and the slot near the middle.  I used 10% infill but you could probably go to 5%.  For the original fins I printed them upright and blocked supports inside the screw holes.  The weight compartment, projectors, lens and leg pins do not need supports when printed in the orientation shown.

The weight compartment can hold 4 large washers, which I expect is more than what is needed but I have not done any stability testing.  Since the weight compartment screws in place you can do your testing and make adjustment, then glue it in place once you have it set right.

Let me know if there are any issues with these models.  I intend to add domes for R4, R5 and R6 astromech units as well, and do upscales to LOC 4" body tubes.  The R3 series has the same dome as an R2.

UPDATE May 4th, 2023:
improvements made in projectors and R2 movie accurate dome.  Added R4 dome (print upside down to minimize supports).  Happy Star Wars Day.

UPDATE June 5th, 2023
I've added a nosecone for R5.  The information I could find online for this dome lacked detail and was not consistent with other sources so this likely is not movie accurate, but it is as close as I could get.  The antenna is flexible, but the top part is still likely to break off.  You can just leave it like that or cut the whole thing off if you like.  R5's are known for having bad motivators, that is not something I can fix.  

UPDATE July 24, 2023
I've added a nosecone for R6.  There are a couple different R6 droids, I went with the one I could find the most detailed information on.

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