A huge thanks to Estes for producing new scale kits and bringing back great old classics.
My strong preference would be for classic space boosters, including the Mercury Atlas, Atlas-Agena, Atlas-Centaur, Gemini Titan II, Saturn 1B, Titan III-C, D, or E, Titan III MOL, LTV Scout, Thor, Thor-Able, or Thor-Agena. Newer boosters including the Delta II, Delta IV, Delta IV Heavy, Atlas V, Atlas V heavy, and the STS would also be great. Of the military models, I would be most excited about the Titan II ICBM (used to be a crew member years ago), and the Falcon and Sparrow AAMs. A re-release/ update of classic Pershing 1A Maxi Brute would be fantastic (more robust fins would be great).
I know that that is a huge list (and the Deltas and Atlas V's are families with many models), so I will put down my top 5:
- Mercury Atlas
- Gemini Titan II
- Titan II ICBM
- SLS
- Atlas-Agena.
The Atlases would be great because they are so unique, and they are difficult to scratch build. A re-release of the 1/35th scale Mercury Atlas would be great, but needs more than an E12. This possibly could be redesigned as a 3-motor cluster. A 1/48th scale or BT-80-based model would do well on an E12.
If a rocket that is part of a family is chosen, than a variation could be released in a future year (example, Titan III-D to Titan III MOL, Mercury Atlas to Atlas-Agena, Atlas-Agena to Thor-Agena)
As far as the fins go-- it all depends. Fins that are relatively flat on the real rocket can use balsa (single sheet if thin, or built-up if the scale fin would be more than 3/16" thick). Fins that have bevels are best made from injection-molded plastic. Details and corrugations can be made from vacuum-formed plastics. Conduits can be made out of wood if they are simple, but detailed items are best made from injection-molded plastic.
Thanks for asking for our input!