Tramper Al
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2013
- Messages
- 400
- Reaction score
- 36
I'm not one to mix "politics" with a fun hobby like model rocketry.
But I am disappointed to no end with Estes' decisions to feature the model SA-2061 "Sasha" on page 32 as it has, in 2023.
I know there is an argument to be made that the history of rocketry is very much intertwined with military models, instruments of destruction. I get that, and there is no getting around it. As a builder/collector, I can pick and choose which historic models interest me, and which I'd rather not work with, though I can't help but notice how they are presented and promoted. I've built and flown the V2 - it was not sold with Nazi symbol decals or promoted as "inspirational".
The model on page 32 does not seem to be based on any rocket of any historic importance, the marketing blurb indicating that "Inspired by Russian military design, this scale-like model is sure to enthuse the most dedicated rocketeer." As a dedicated rocketeer, I find this insulting.
Think about this, this rocket was in the 2019 through 2022 catalogs, but without any marketing blurb - as was the style for those years. That means that over the last year of catalog decisions and preparation, someone at Estes decided there was something "inspiring" about the Russian military and its actions over the past 12 months, much of it involving rockets specifically targeting civilians, and put that in the catalog released this month.
Estes is in many ways the core of this hobby for me. So many pages and models were cut from the catalog, but this one was retained, in the same nationalist livery, bolstered with new "inspired" marketing language. By a U.S. company. I just don't get it.
But I am disappointed to no end with Estes' decisions to feature the model SA-2061 "Sasha" on page 32 as it has, in 2023.
I know there is an argument to be made that the history of rocketry is very much intertwined with military models, instruments of destruction. I get that, and there is no getting around it. As a builder/collector, I can pick and choose which historic models interest me, and which I'd rather not work with, though I can't help but notice how they are presented and promoted. I've built and flown the V2 - it was not sold with Nazi symbol decals or promoted as "inspirational".
The model on page 32 does not seem to be based on any rocket of any historic importance, the marketing blurb indicating that "Inspired by Russian military design, this scale-like model is sure to enthuse the most dedicated rocketeer." As a dedicated rocketeer, I find this insulting.
Think about this, this rocket was in the 2019 through 2022 catalogs, but without any marketing blurb - as was the style for those years. That means that over the last year of catalog decisions and preparation, someone at Estes decided there was something "inspiring" about the Russian military and its actions over the past 12 months, much of it involving rockets specifically targeting civilians, and put that in the catalog released this month.
Estes is in many ways the core of this hobby for me. So many pages and models were cut from the catalog, but this one was retained, in the same nationalist livery, bolstered with new "inspired" marketing language. By a U.S. company. I just don't get it.
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