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QModeling Gift Certificates

12/02/2007, Middleburgh, New York - Today QModeling announced its offering of Gift Certificates. “This has been something our customers, their family members, and friends have been asking for.”, according to Tom Quinn, President of QModeling.

"Now anyone can help a Born Again Rocketeer they know get the QModeling kit they need to stay happy and healthy this holiday season!", Quinn stated.

Not sure what to get your

Born Again Rocketeer?

RMS-ANDROMEDA RELEASED

11/17/2007, Middleburgh, New York - Today QModeling announced its release of the long awaited RMS-ANDROMEDA. The RMS-ANDROMEDA is a 1.65 upscale of the original Estes Andromeda that roamed the skies in the 1970’s. For further RMS-ANDROMEDA details check out the product section of QModeling's website. The RMS-ANDROMEDA has been in development for over a year with a very anxious public anticipating its release. The following is an excerpt from an interview with the President of QModeling, Tom Quinn discussing the release of the RMS-ANDROMEDA.

Q: The RMS-ANDROMEDA has been greatly anticipated, why did it take s long?

QUINN: “Well there where several factors. Such as development, testing, assembly jigs, manual creation, and a variety of production problems.”

Q: Wow! Let’s break these different factors down, what were the development concerns?

QUINN: “Well as you know we develop and produce upscale kits for the Sports Class 24mm Rocket Motor market niche. We are the fun-fly-guys not the high-performance-dudes and as such we work very hard to keep our kits under the FAA one pound limit. The development of the Andromeda made this a real challenge for our design team headed up by Senior Design Engineer, Jim Quinn. Our initial design review didn’t look promising at all, especially given the market requirement of a 1.65 upscale. Our team leveraged the power of our Solid Modeling package to refine each part and utilized the mass analysis capabilities of it to develop each part and assembly. The attention to detail in balancing weight versus structural strength was a key component during the development phase. Since we use a laser to cut all our parts we were able to use it religiously to trim weight. The process took significantly longer then we thought, but when completed we had a high quality design that produced a 1.65 upscale Andromeda weighing in under one pound fully painted and loaded with an engine. Enough can not be said for the gallant efforts of our design team.”

Q: How did testing play a factor?

QUINN: “Given the very long length of the Andromeda we weren’t worried about stability. Our concern was with recovery. Should we separate just pass the elevator platform or use the crew compartment as a parachute compartment? Should we use one chute or two? Should we have it come done as one piece or two separate pieces? Etc. Our first prototype separated just forward of the elevator platform creating two pieces a lower and upper body tube assembly that each had a separate chute. After testing we didn’t like this approach because of recovery system ejection problems and having to run after two different assemblies floating in from the sky. Our focused moved to single parachute recovery. Using the Crew Compartment as a parachute compartment worked fine, but presented transportation issues and potential zippering concerns. Separating at the elevator platform and stuffing the recovery system into the Lower Body Tube assembly, a BT-52H tube, worked fine too, but presented recovery system packing concerns. Finally developing a locking separation joint and using the Crew Compartment again as a parachute compartment was also explored. This eliminated the transportation issues and packing concerns, but not the potential zippering concerns. We decided the three approaches all worked, had various pros and cons, and ultimately should be customer options. The test plan simple was the most extensive plan to date, spanning such event from NARAM 48 to NERRF 2007”.

Q: You mentioned assembly jigs were a cause for the delay, why?

QUINN: “As you know we go to great lengths to ensure our kits are of the highest quality. This goes beyond just the individual parts. We believe in providing the highest quality construction aids and our jigs are an example of that philosophy. We simply don’t like customers having to use rulers. The Andromeda presented many different assembly challenges and therefore opportunities to design assembly aids. The jigs included in the kit are first class and significantly help the customer build the Andromeda they were definitely worth the wait.”

Q: Why did the manual affect the release?

QUINN: “Three reasons its overall length (29 pages), a new page layout to illustrate the Andromeda length, and having to describe the three Recovery System Build options throughout the manual. The manual basically had to be created from scratch. We couldn’t leverage our other existing manuals and/or illustrations like we have in the past, for example creating the RMS-VIPER from the RMS-NIKEX manual. Several customers helped give us feedback on various versions of the manual to improve its overall design. We thank them all for their feedback and insights. No question the RMS-ANDROMEDA manual was the most extensive manual to date, but we also believe it is our best work to date”

Q: What production issues got in the way of the release?

QUINN: “The fundamental fact is the RMS-ANDROMEDA changed our perspective on our business and its operations. The RMS-ANDROMEDA has over 45 different parts and over 85 actual parts. Less then seven percent of the parts could be leverage from other kits. The kit required several different tubes and was our first usage of the BT-52H tube. The BT-52H required us developing new cutting jigs. Supply issues surrounding the Nose Cone, Decals, Dowels, Railroad Board, and Hardboard had to be solved too. The extensive set of dowels created production cutting issues. Finally just creating the extensive packaging for shipping was an issue. All these issues were compounded by the fact that we had to invest in and build new production facilities to produce our current kits and to produce the RMS-ANDROMEDA.”

Q: New facility what does that mean?

QUINN: “First of all at this point in time QModeling is our part time job. We moved the business from California to New York back in 2004 for a variety of reasons. Personally upon moving back my wife and I had to solidify our printing business including converting a barn into a heated space for both the printing business and QModeling. The RMS-ANDROMEDA became a critical point in our history for making both future business and personal decisions. Committing to the production of the Andromeda meant committing to a long term expansion plan for QModeling. The plan would enable us to grow QModeling by leveraging additional facility space from our printing company. The plan will enable us to continue to grow and add additional kits to our RMS line. We have finalized the first part of the plan creating a two separate production facilities for QModeling. Currently we now produce our laser cut parts and tubes in Ravena, NY and produce our Nose Cones, other parts, subassemblies, and final kits in Middleburgh, NY.”

Q: What’s the future for QModeling?

QUINN: “Simply put more exciting high quality sport class kits. We like to thank all our current customers and future customers for making QModeling a successful and fun business.”
 

EMRR Spaceship Design Contest

03/12/2006, Schoharie, New York - Today QModeling announced it will be supplying a prize for Essence's Model Rocketry Reviews (EMRR) latest design contest.

DESIGN THIS SPACESHIP CONTEST

Basically you will find four (4) Spaceship pictures that were found on the web. Each of these pictures induced that "I'd love to build that" feeling in the EMRR team, so they figured they would see what modeler's could do. The contest is very straight-forward:

1. Design a flyable rocket that is as closely as possible replicates one of the four pictures
2. Write up a how-to article, with pictures and templates, to allow others to be able to build one
3. Submit launch pictures

For more information please click here.

EMRR 2006 Challenge

12/13/2006, Schoharie, New York - Today QModeling announced it will be supplying the BRONZE place price for Essence's Model Rocketry Reviews (EMRR) latest design contest.

2006 EMRR Challenge

EMRR believes that this challenge will not only help the participants to have fun in rocketry, but will also provide them with some learning experiences. They also believe that by sharing those experiences through the pages of EMRR, that others will benefit as well.

Something QModeling like to support!

For more information please click here.

NARAM 47 VIPER Raffle Winner

08/13/2005, Schoharie, New York - Today QModeling announced that Steve Reynolds won their NARAM 47 VIPER Raffle. Steve will receive the second VIPER off their production line. “NARAM 47 was a great event for QModeling”, according to Tom Quinn, President of QModeling.

“We had the tremendous opportunity to meet customers, our distributor from the UK Deepsky Rockets, other rocketry vendors, and participate in sport launches of several of our kits, including prototype #2 of the ANDROMEDA”, Quinn stated. QModeling looks forward to participating in other future events like NARAM 47 and having other similar types of raffles. Congratulations to Steve Reynolds!

Also, if people are wondering what is going to happen to production unit #1, well that is going to Bob Cox who participated in the QBAR Team Program to help design and produce the VIPER. 

QModeling Formally Unveils QBAR Program

07/12/2005, Schoharie, New York - The company today announced the formation of the QModeling Born Again Rockets (QBAR) Team, and the first rocket developed from the program.

QBAR is a program where selected QModeling customers can participate in the development process of a new kit. The first kit developed under the program is the VIPER. The VIPER is an upscale based on the Estes EAC Viper, and was co-developed with QBAR Team Member Bob Cox.

The major features of the QBAR program are as follows (not necessarily in order):

1. The program is FREE, but team members are selected by QModeling personnel based on a variety of criteria (Skill of the builder, Kit they want to produce, Availability of internal resources, etc.).

2. No more than two (2) QBAR kit developments will be running at any given time.

3. The QBAR member is treated like a member of the QModeling development staff.

4. The QBAR member jointly develops a Solid 3-D computer model with QModeling. Using Solidworks QModeling creates the Solid 3-D model, with input and feedback of the design from the QBAR member.

5. QBAR member generates a RockSim file.

6. QModeling produces the manual, the QBAR member reviews it, and QModeling acknowledges their involvement on the cover of the manual.

7. QModeling supplies all parts for two prototypes, including decals.

8. The QBAR member builds, finishes, and tests the prototypes.

9. The QBAR member supplies all finishing products (i.e., paint, sealers, etc.) and additional items needed to build the prototypes (i.e., sandpaper).

10. QModeling pays for any shipping and engines used in a pre-approved test plan.

11. The QBAR member submits regular build and test reports including digital photos.

12. The QBAR member supplies QModeling with digital photos to market the kit and if they have the capability a video of a launch.

13. The QBAR member supplies a picture of themselves and bio for the website.

Wow that is a lot of work! So why do this? What does the QBAR member get:

1. The QBAR member gets to keep one of the prototypes and QModeling gets the other prototype.

2. Upon release of their kit, the QBAR member will receive a FREE QBAR Shirt or hat.

3. Upon release of their kit, the QBAR member will receive a $15.00 voucher from QModeling to offset finishing costs. The voucher maybe redeemed for a $15.00 business check or a $15.00 discount coupon towards their next QModeling purchase.

4. The QBAR member will receive the first kit off our production line FREE of charge.

5. Pride in being part of an elite team of modelers developing the some of the coolest kits around!

If you are interested in the joining the QBAR program, or want more details, please contact Tom Quinn (Contact Us) for more information.

Test Launch of New Models

06/12/2004, Schoharie, New York - The company continued testing their NIKEX and ROGUE model rocket kits, as well as began testing their upcoming HAWKEYE release. It was a picture perfect day for flying. The ROGUE was tested with E9-4’s and except for the first launch CATO the flights were fantastic. Thankfully the CATO happened 30 feet off the ground and drove the propellants clearly through the forward end of the rocket exploding 20 feet away. The NOMEX heat shield protected the chute and the foil lined engine mount tube prevented any real damage.

The NIKEX was tested with both E9-4’s and F21-6W’s. All flights were extremely successful with full chute fully deployment. The flights on the F21 were simply impressive. The HAWKEYE was also tested on both E9-4’s and F21-6W’s all flights again were successful.

More testing will have to be done to determine the final engine recommendations. The E9-4’s didn’t perform to level that was anticipated. Further testing will be done on E18’s and E30’s.

Development Started on ANDROMEDA

06/10/2004, Temecula, California - QModeling CTO and Webmaster, Phil White, announced today the formal start of development of the ANDROMEDA model rocket kit which is based on the Estes^TM classic Andromeda. “We have figured out the necessary technology and processes to release the ANDROMEDA earlier than expected”, said Mr. White.

The move pushes back the development effort behind the BOMARC model rocket kit. He added, “We have decided to push back BOMARC since it will require additional investment to complete the special molds, and it needs significantly more testing than a typical kit”.

Moving the ANDROMEDA ahead of the BOMARC will allow the company to  produce another exotic kit that can help fund the continuing development effort on the various issues associated with the BOMARC.

"Besides a MEGA-Sized ANDROMEDA will be an absolutely awesome launch!", said Mr. White.

2004 National Sports Launch Sponsorship

05/17/2004, Temecula, California - QModeling helped sponsor the 2004 National Sports Launch in Texas this year by donating a couple of Retro MEGA Series Model Rocket Kits and several discount coupons towards a raffle table. According to Jeff Short NLS Coordinator the kits and discount coupons were greatly appreciated and popular at the table.

STILETTO Pre-Launch Special Offer

05/03/2004, Temecula, California - QModeling announced today a pre-launch special offer for their STILETTO model rocket kit. The STILETTO is the fifth Retro MEGA Series kit offered by QModeling. The sleek looking STILETTO is an upscale re-creation of the Estes^TM Stiletto. Standing over 38” tall with its copper painted nose cone and powered by 24mm motors the STILETTO makes a fantastic addition to a fleet. The STILETTO comes complete with detailed decals, easy to apply tube separation wraps, high quality laser cut parts, world class recovery system, and outstanding instruction manual. 

Another solid addition to he growing QModeling fleet of Model Rocket Kits.

QModeling Moving to New York

02/01/2004, Temecula, California - QModeling announced today plans to move the company to New York state. According to President, Tom Quinn, "Besides bringing the company back home to New York, the move will enable the company to expand its operations by lowering overhead, improve testing by leveraging local available flight fields, and enable the company to distribute more effectively internationally".

The company will be moved in stages starting in late February with laser cutting and tube cutting. The remaining company operations including sales will be moved back in late July. Marketing and website development will remain in Temecula California. An operational plan has been established to limit the impact on customer service, shipments, and development that such a move would normally create.

QModeling Adds European Distributor

1/19/2004, Temecula, California - QModeling announced today its first shipment of model rocket kits to its first international distributor Deepsky Rockets (www.modelrockets.co.uk). The two companies have signed an agreement enabling Deepsky Rockets to distribute QModeling model rocket products throughout the UK and other parts Europe. “This is a very exciting development”, states, President, Tom Quinn, “Now customers throughout Europe can enjoy our RMS line of high quality sports class model rocket kits”.

WACC Pre-Launch Special Offer

11/18/2003, Temecula, California - QModeling announced today a pre-launch special offer for their WACC model rocket kit. The WACC is the third Retro MEGA Series kit offered by QModeling . According to President, Tom Quinn, “The WACC is a classic upscale version of the legendary WAC Corporal. It is based on the original offering by Estes^TM in the 1970’s. The kit is built upon our solid quality standards used to produce our other RMS kits”.

One unique feature of the kit is a sanding jig used to make perfect tapers of the WAC Corporal fins. Like the original Estes version, QModeling hides the launch lugs under a simulated pipe line conduit. Powered by 24mm rocket motors the approximate 6 oz upscale version will produce spectacular high altitude flights.

VEGA Recovery System Upgrade Special Offer

10/06/2003, Temecula, California - QModeling, in partnership with Top Flight Recovery, also announced today an VEGA model rocket kit Recovery System Upgrade Special Offer for customers who want to upgrade an existing un-built VEGA kit (build models cannot be easily retrofitted). The upgrade includes the following:

•  30” Octagonal, Orange, Thin Mil (1.1oz), Ripstop Nylon Parachute w/sewn in Nylon 24” Shroud Lines

•  9” x 9” Nomex Heat Shield

•  9” Kevlar Shock Cord

•  Snap Swivel, Size #7, Black Oxide

•  Eye Screw, Zinc-Plated, #212-1/2 1/8”

•  Hardboard Forward Centering Ring (replaces existing Forward Centering Ring)

The upgrade is offered at a very competitive special price of $12.00 plus $2.00 S&H. According to a company spokesman this offer will only be honored to customers who have an existing  VEGA model rocket kit. To order an upgrade, simply send an email to us (Contact Us). Upon verification, an e-mail invoice will be sent to you. The invoice can be paid via PayPal, Money Order, Cashier Check, or Personal Check (must clear prior to shipment).

SNOOPER Pre-Launch Special Offer

10/06/2003, Temecula, California - QModeling announced today a pre-launch special offer for their much anticipated SNOOPER model rocket kit. The SNOOPER represents the second Retro MEGA Series kit offered by QModeling . According to CTO and Webmaster, Phil White “The SNOOPER is based on the original Mars Snooper II offered by Estes in the 1970’s. The kit incorporates the same detail and high quality used to produce the VEGA”.

According to a company spokesman the Pre-Launch Special offer will consist of only fifteen kits. A special price of $54.95 has been set compared to the standard price of $64.95 upon official launch. The kits will be distributed on a first come first serve basis, and only one Pre-Launch Special offer will be honored per customer. Gift certificates can be used in conjunction with the special offer. Worse case delivery is 3-4 weeks after receiving payment. Additional SNOOPER kit details can be found on the company website www.qmodeling.com.

One very significant improvement incorporated into the release of the SNOOPER model rocket kit is the new Recovery System. The new system is QModeling commitment to using customer feedback to improve their quality and become the number one supplier of high quality sport class rocket kits.

New Recovery System Incorporated into all Kits

10/05/2003, Temecula, California - QModeling announces a new Recovery System for their new line of Retro MEGA Series of Model Rocket kits. According to QModeling's President, Tom Quinn, the new recovery system was based on customer feedback, “We gathered input from customer surveys and speaking directly to lead customers about our kits. The number one concern was our Recovery System. The Mylar based recovery system simply wasn’t a statement of quality, and many of our customers acquired after market solutions. We want QModeling and our RMS line to be known for top notch quality, so we investigated alternatives.”

“One of the initial goals behind the RMS line was to come up with a wad-less design”, says Jim Quinn, Senior Rocket Engineer and Product Specialist, “However our attempts at engineering wad-less designs by baffling or controlling the ejection charge were miserable failures.” Phil White, CTO and Webmaster, stated, “To get the RMS line off the ground we settled on a more traditional design using a Mylar chute, elastic shock cord, and tri-fold paper shock cord mount. Even though we added Kevlar shroud lines and a snap swivel for parachute attachment it was clear from customer feedback that our recovery system was not up to par with the rest of the kit.”

Partnering with Top Flight Recovery, LLC (www.topflightrecoveryllc.homestead.com), the new Recovery System offered in each of the RMS kits know includes a 30" Thin Mil, Ripstop, Nylon Parachute with sewn in Shroud Lines, a Nomex Heat Shield Parachute Protector, Kevlar Shock Cord, and a Snap Swivel. Gary Pletzer, Top Flight Recovery President, stated “We are very excited about partnering with QModeling and their quest for producing top of the line rocket kits. We believe our high quality recovery system components create a huge advantage for QModeling. Our goal is to continue producing the best-of-breed recovery system components. The big winners are QModeling's model rocket customers.”

The new system is attached to the rocket by tying the Kevlar Shock Cord around the Engine Mount Tube and then threading it through a beefed up Forward Centering Ring. The Shock Cord is pulled through the Main Body tube, threaded through a button hole in the Nomex Heat Shield, and tied to the Main Nose Cone. This enables the Heat Shield to slide up and down the Shock Cord. Based on the model the Snap Swivel is tied onto the Shock Cord roughly 2/3 the way up from the Main Body tube. The Parachute is then easily attached and removed using the Snap Swivel clasp. The new system eliminates the need for wadding making the RMS line of kits ideal for drier climates.

“We believe the new Recovery Systems, and our partnership with Top Flight Recovery, shows our commitment to quality, our instinct to listen to customers, and our goal of producing the number one line of sports class model rocket kits for the price.” adds, Tom Quinn.

There is no question that QModeling has raised the bar.

RMS SNOOPER Launch Restarted

09/12/2003, Temecula, California - QModeling has restarted the launch of the Model: SNOOPER model rocket kit. The parts availability issues have been resolved now we are doing final testing and building for stock.  QModeling has made a number of improvements in the Model: SNOOPER that will be incorporated in the model: VEGA and all future projects.

Watch the countdown, and check out launch day for a special introductory offer.

RMS SNOOPER Launch on HOLD

08/01/2003, Temecula, California - QModeling has held the countdown of the Model: SNOOPER model rocket kit due to limited nose cone availability, and to allow for additional flight testing. The development team anticipates the problems to be solved in the next 10 days and the countdown to resume.

Further information will be released here as it becomes available.

QModeling Asks for Customer Feedback on Future Models

06/23/2003, Temecula, California - Vote for your favorite blast from the past by simply letting QModeling know what models you would like to see developed.  The current list of requested models can be seen on their web site (Rocket Product page).  “ We are letting customers drive our Product Development.” says QModeling's CTO and Webmaster, Phil White.  “We all had our favorite craft from the past!”, he adds.  “The response has been great and we love hearing the stories of why they want to see a RMS Bomark or RMS Trident”. 

Everyone dream and vote!

QModeling Improves Nose Cone Manufacturing Process

07/03/2003, Temecula, California - With the incredible customer response to their introduction of its VEGA, QModeling has invested in the development of an improved nose cone process that incorporates aluminum molds.  “The new molds enable us to hold tighter tolerances, provide a more consistent fit and finish, and enables higher production rates speeding delivery”, Senior Rocket Engineer and Product Specialist, Jim Quinn notes.  “The molds have been such a huge success we are incorporating them into all of our RMS releases, such as the SNOOPER”, Jim continues. 

QModeling believes that investing in quality and listening to customers will build the RMS line into a market leader. The new molds can be seen in action on QModeling's manufacturing web page (in the Rocket Product section).

QModeling Launches Retro MEGA Series

06/15/2003, Temecula, California - QModeling introduces its new line of Retro MEGA Series (RMS) high quality sports class model rocket kits with the release of the RMS VEGA.  The RMS VEGA is an up scale replica of the legendary Estes Starship Vega that graced the skies back in the 1970’s.  According to President, Tom Quinn, the new RMS line will be comprised solely of upscale classics from the past.  The up scaled kits will be driven by standard 24mm rocket motors enabling a wide variety of spectacular launch options.  Quinn, states, “All our kits will incorporate laser cut parts, high quality molded plastic parts, scaled decals, and a thorough step-by-step instruction manual.”  

Interesting new features will be engineered into the kits, for example interlocking primary fin to engine mount design or spring loaded working landing gear.  “The introduction has been awesome.  We had no idea customers would flock to the RMS concept.  It’s a tribute to rocket hobbyist everywhere”, Quinn acknowledges.

To learn more about the RMS line, check out our Rocket Products web pages.