What kits should Estes bring back?

The Rocketry Forum

Help Support The Rocketry Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
I think they should reproduce the space shuttle stack with the detachable orbiter glider. Have allowance for a micro r/c brick in the glider.
 
This may sound silly, but I would like to see them bring back the X-Ray, only about twice the original size, capable of using D engines. Way back in 1973, the X-Ray was my second rocket after the Alpha. I built 3 or 4 of them. I have built a couple of near replicas, but they were not to scale.
 
This may sound silly, but I would like to see them bring back the X-Ray, only about twice the original size, capable of using D engines. Way back in 1973, the X-Ray was my second rocket after the Alpha. I built 3 or 4 of them. I have built a couple of near replicas, but they were not to scale.

Its a good call. Its a clean design and goes well on a wide range of motors.

The X-ray was my second rocket too (after the WAC Corporal). I cloned it as soon as I figured out that the parts were available. First launch of the clone was on an AT D21 with a streamer. Removed the launch-lug and stand-off, but the fins stayed on. It took a long time to come back down <smile>.

As it apparently does for you, it seemed small to me so I built pretty much the upscaled version (BT50 into BT55) that you propose -- but with an 18mm motor mount. Much easier to pack a chute in the BT50 than in the BT20/BT50 original. Its a great park flier on a B6. It will disappear on a C6. I tried to launch it on a AeroTech D9, but couldn't get the motor to go. I am planning to send it up on a QJet D in the Spring.

I've got parts for a 2 inch to BT70 version. That might be a good candidate for a PSII rocket.

20181213_185722.png
 
Last edited:
This may sound silly, but I would like to see them bring back the X-Ray, only about twice the original size, capable of using D engines. Way back in 1973, the X-Ray was my second rocket after the Alpha. I built 3 or 4 of them. I have built a couple of near replicas, but they were not to scale.
Another vote for an upscale X-Ray. Something about those clear payload sections just looks right.
 
...Something about those clear payload sections just looks right.

I always liked the Centuri Snipe Hunter for that reason.
dsc_6525-jpg.288609
 
Last edited:
I assume that the new owners also purchased the trademarks and copyrights to Centuri? If that's the case--then bring back Centuri!

Seriously, a nostalgia line of kits (from both companies early days) marketed under the Centuri brand name. This would help to differentiate them from the normal brand. These kits could be sold online only. The target demographic would be older rocketeers (BARs) looking to collect the kits of their childhood.

Marketing them under the Centuri name makes it easier to target the advertising efforts, reducing costs and increasing profitability.

BTW, has anyone else purchased one of the new Estes T-shirts available on their web site? I've literally been stopped in stores by men of a certain age. Always with big smiles and lots of great memories of the hobby.

One of the keys to success for Estes may be in bringing back all that history--what better way than by co-branding with their former competitor, Centuri!
Centuri Fly Forever.png
 
I assume that the new owners also purchased the trademarks and copyrights to Centuri? If that's the case--then bring back Centuri!

Seriously, a nostalgia line of kits (from both companies early days) marketed under the Centuri brand name. This would help to differentiate them from the normal brand. These kits could be sold online only. The target demographic would be older rocketeers (BARs) looking to collect the kits of their childhood.

Marketing them under the Centuri name makes it easier to target the advertising efforts, reducing costs and increasing profitability.

BTW, has anyone else purchased one of the new Estes T-shirts available on their web site? I've literally been stopped in stores by men of a certain age. Always with big smiles and lots of great memories of the hobby.

One of the keys to success for Estes may be in bringing back all that history--what better way than by co-branding with their former competitor, Centuri!
View attachment 369108
+1. I always thought the Centuri kits were way "cooler" than the Estes offerings.
A lot of the old Centuri kits I remember flying as a squirt are available as "Retro Repros" at Semroc (erockets). These include the Li'l Herc, Recruiter, Defender, and more.
Didn't pick up a shirt from the Estes website, but a few weeks ago picked up this one:
https://www.zazzle.com/estes_aerospace_club_t_shirt-235024726035281681
And I think I still have an iron on transfer somewhere. Cheers.
 
When I was a kid back in the 1970's, our local hobby shops sold both Centuri and Estes. While most of us flew some models from both--we also quickly divided into two camps. You either had to be an Estes guy or a Centuri guy.

I was Team Centuri all the way. I thought their designs were cooler, and looking back I was probably attracted to the artwork and packaging. Remember those silver foil decals that came with each of their rockets? Loved 'em.

Plus Centuri had a lot of iron-on's for t-shirts and decals for the range box that they would send if you ordered kits or parts. Our hobby store owner, Mr. White also used to give us things from the company.

Brand loyalty is a real thing. All these years later, if I see a Centuri logo or model at a launch, a big smile crosses my face.

ESTES--BRING BACK CENTURI!

Centuri Iron-On There are Flying Saucers INVERT.png
 
A general answer to kits that I'd like to see Estes bring back is more of a broad answer: to loose the plastic nose cones and fins that have cheapened the product and bring back balsa parts. My Big Bertha, built in 1970 had balsa fins which I had to cut out and a balsa nose cone. Yes, I remember having to carefully cut out the fins, sanding the proper airfoil shape on the leading and trailing edges and then to apply multiple coats of sanding sealer to the fins and nose cone, letting dry, applying more sealer.. You old people like myself remember. Yeah, its easier and quicker (and less expensive) to have plastic ready to go parts. From my perspective the old way builds DIY skills, leading to more complex builds and the satisfaction that goes with the completed model.

Kit wise, the original Gemini Titan kit.

-Tom
 

Attachments

  • BB69estes[1].jpg
    BB69estes[1].jpg
    72.3 KB · Views: 83
...My Big Bertha, built in 1970 had balsa fins which I had to cut out and a balsa nose cone. Yes, I remember having to carefully cut out the fins, sanding the proper airfoil shape on the leading and trailing edges ...
-Tom

<smile> Kids today!

Welcome to the forum Tom.

I just got a couple of vintage Peck Polymer's kits from an eBay seller. I'd forgotten that "printwood" was a thing. I did not miss it. I am scanning in the plans and/or the printed balsa. I am tracing them into Fusion360 and and will let the CNC cut them out for me. And not only because I want to save the kits intact; I want the precision that my pre-teen hands didn't have, and that my middle-aged hands can no longer deliver.

gipsymothparts.png

While I agree that laser-cut parts tempt us to indolence and imprecision, I think that there is a place for pre-cut fins and centering rings.

As for plastic nosecones (and tailcones and transitions); these are often more easily customized or repurposed than balsa, as a kit-basher I would have to say that I would miss them.

edit: If you haven't already found these suppliers

eRockets Balsa Nosecones

Balsa Machining Service

ASP Wooden Nosecones
 
Last edited:
I agree that doing things the old way requires more craftsmanship. However, there is a practical side that businesses must be cognizant of. I was just looking for a NC-80K nose cone for a clone build. The plastic one is selling for $6. The balsa one is $24. Guess which one I bought?
The wheels of progress will inevitably turn, as oldtimers we just have to adapt, evolve, and incorporate them into our hobby. Cheers.
 
<smile> Kids today!

Welcome to the forum Tom.

I just got a couple of vintage Peck Polymer's kits from an eBay seller. I'd forgotten that "printwood" was a thing. I did not miss it. I am scanning in the plans and/or the printed balsa. I am tracing them into Fusion360 and and will let the CNC cut them out for me. And not only because I want to save the kits intact; I want the precision that my pre-teen hands didn't have, and that my middle-aged hands can no longer deliver.

View attachment 369179

While I agree that laser-cut parts tempt us to indolence and imprecision, I think that there is a place for pre-cut fins and centering rings.

As for plastic nosecones (and tailcones and transitions); these are often more easily customized or repurposed than balsa, as a kit-basher I would have to say that I would miss them.

edit: If you haven't already found these suppliers

eRockets Balsa Nosecones

Balsa Machining Service

ASP Wooden Nosecones
 
My "re-entry" into the rocketry world found a few vendors. I bought a few kits from JonRocket along with some parts to scratch build a Bertha from the original plans. (I see the kit evolved a little from the original besides laser cut fins and a plastic nosecone). Mars Snooper was a favorite from Estes as was the Centari Lazer X. Your airplane kit printed parts was interesting to see. Reminded me of some of the early kits my dad had. I agree, laser cut balsa is a great innovation. Die cut, or should I say "die crushed" from all those kits I built in the early 70s had a world of issues themselves. I quickly learned to keep an X-acto knife within reach.
 
I agree that doing things the old way requires more craftsmanship. However, there is a practical side that businesses must be cognizant of. I was just looking for a NC-80K nose cone for a clone build. The plastic one is selling for $6. The balsa one is $24. Guess which one I bought?
The wheels of progress will inevitably turn, as oldtimers we just have to adapt, evolve, and incorporate them into our hobby. Cheers.
 
That must be a very large nose cone for a large model. I forget my body tube diameters but I'm guessing the 80 series were 2.5"? I could see why that was pricey. Yes, plastic has its place...
 
That must be a very large nose cone for a large model. I forget my body tube diameters but I'm guessing the 80 series were 2.5"? I could see why that was pricey. Yes, plastic has its place...

https://www.erockets.biz/body-tube-sizes/

BT-80 will seem small at about the time that you start work on your L1 rocket. <g>

Your airplane kit printed parts was interesting to see. Reminded me of some of the early kits my dad had.

Okay. I am not that old. Printwood was around at least into the late 1980s (about the time that I stopped paying attention).
 
That must be a very large nose cone for a large model. I forget my body tube diameters but I'm guessing the 80 series were 2.5"? I could see why that was pricey. Yes, plastic has its place...

There are two different weights of 2.6" airframe BT80 and BT80H, the standard BT80 and PNC-80K nose cones are pretty light, light enough to fly a Maxi Alpha 3 or Exectutioner (original) on a D12-3. The BT80H and PNC-80K (available from Balsa Machining Service) is much heavier and those same models build with it would probably be marginal at best (by my mindsim). I use a fair amount of both weights as the 3" balsa block from Hobby Lobby and my LHS allow me to turn my own boattails/tailcones and nose cones easily
 
A general answer to kits that I'd like to see Estes bring back is more of a broad answer: to loose the plastic nose cones and fins that have cheapened the product and bring back balsa parts. My Big Bertha, built in 1970 had balsa fins which I had to cut out and a balsa nose cone. Yes, I remember having to carefully cut out the fins, sanding the proper airfoil shape on the leading and trailing edges and then to apply multiple coats of sanding sealer to the fins and nose cone, letting dry, applying more sealer.. You old people like myself remember. Yeah, its easier and quicker (and less expensive) to have plastic ready to go parts. From my perspective the old way builds DIY skills, leading to more complex builds and the satisfaction that goes with the completed model.

Kit wise, the original Gemini Titan kit.

-Tom
Bring back those nostalgia prices.
 
Is anyone from Estes on this forum I wonder? I emailed them to ask bout kits that may make a come back. Is there a good thread about the history of the company? Didn’t they have a fire back in the 90s that destroyed a lot of original tooling? If it’s family owned again, that’s a good thing. I recently bought the little joe kit and was impressed with its unboxing (old nasa and Centauri info sheets). The more that is produced on shore I’m willing to pay for that increase in quality. I assume it’s mostly produced in China. Would love to see more scale stuff, space x and even Russian rockets.
 
Is anyone from Estes on this forum I wonder? I emailed them to ask bout kits that may make a come back. Is there a good thread about the history of the company? Didn’t they have a fire back in the 90s that destroyed a lot of original tooling? If it’s family owned again, that’s a good thing. I recently bought the little joe kit and was impressed with its unboxing (old nasa and Centauri info sheets). The more that is produced on shore I’m willing to pay for that increase in quality. I assume it’s mostly produced in China. Would love to see more scale stuff, space x and even Russian rockets.
John Boren aka Jumpjet is here occasionaly and generally watches many Estes specific threads.
 
I think Jumpjet has always maintained that his participation here is as a fellow hobbyist rather than his professional capacity as the Chief Designer at Estes. He has on occasion dropped tantalizing hints about upcoming offerings.
 
I think Jumpjet has always maintained that his participation here is as a fellow hobbyist rather than his professional capacity as the Chief Designer at Estes. He has on occasion dropped tantalizing hints about upcoming offerings.
True fact.
 
Not so relevant to new releases, but I would like to see the BT80 airframe toughen up from .020 to .030 wall. Add it to the OD. The nosecones can handle it. While they do that , how about a BT80 Der Red Max with laminated balsa fins as in the Super Big Bertha. A BT 80 Monarch would be nice...with SBB fin construction.
I am in the process of building a bt80 der red max. with dual d12 motors and decals from stickershock.when I figure out how to post pictures i will.
 
Even though I'm a fan of the PSII series of kits, I'm starting to think that scratch-building your own is the best way to get larger versions of rockets you really like. That is, except for the really complicated ones, although skilled builders do well with those too.

There's two sides to our hobby. Those who want the easier kit form and those who like to design and or modify. I'm a bit of both of those descriptions.
 
Back
Top