Estes Interceptor now available

[kuririn]

On the Estes website:
https://www.estesrockets.com/new/001250-interceptortm

 

[Tobor]

SWEET!! Thx for the heads up.

 

[kuririn]

Don't mention it. I am here

To Serve Man

(Gaaa! It's a cookbook!)

 

[Tobor]

Don't mention it. I am here

To Serve Man

(Gaaa! It's a cookbook!)

And Soylent Green is People!!

 

[BA_Incognito]

If you notice, the picture of the decal sheet now just says "Air Force" and "USA". The picture of the rocket itself has the older USAF decals.

 

[kuririn]

The picture is probably of the older release. The newer decals are modified from the older ones, something to do with licensing fees recently being asked by our gov for duplicating military markings. This after decades of military scale models with NO licensing fees. Crock of BS.

 

[BABAR]

Any guesses as how long they will keep this kit in production?

To a large extent I guess it will depend on how well it sells.

 

[neil_w]

I am going to have to get one of these. The Interceptor was the defining build of my childhood rocketry career, have missed it. And I love me some waterslides.

 

[roc_boy]

Looks like Tom at Tango Papa decals carries what he refers to as "Interceptor (legal sheet)" decals - I'm guessing that, if there's some sort of licensing issue with the feds, these are not an exact reproduction of the originals either?

 

[AfterBurners]

I wish they would bring back the bigger kit the "E" kit?

 

[Tobor]

I wish they would bring back the bigger kit the "E" kit?

Ditto here.

Question: Does anyone have any idea/insider info as to if/when other vendors will be stocking the Interceptor? I am hoping AC Supply will carry them as I would like to buy 2 or 3 Interceptor kits.

 

[DRAGON64]

I wish they would bring back the bigger kit the "E" kit?

I have one of the E Interceptor kits on my build pile, love that kit!

 

[Tobor]

...Question: Does anyone have any idea/insider info as to if/when other vendors will be stocking the Interceptor? I am hoping AC Supply will carry them as I would like to buy 2 or 3 Interceptor kits.

I emailed AC Supply earlier this week asking when they would be stocking the Interceptor. Today I received a reply while I was at work. AC Supply now has them in stock. Discounted price is $17.99 (Link). So I ordered 3 of them during my lunch break. One to fly, one for display and one for... whatever I need it to be. Added a few other things I wanted to the order to get the free shipping.

 

[kuririn]

Belleville also has them for $17.69, but no free shipping unless you ordered from them before and have the coupon for free shipping for orders over $100.
https://bellevillehobby.com/product/estes-interceptor-model-rocket/

 

[GlenP]

I don’t mind about the change in decals, still an awesome classic iconic kit. You can always make your own or buy them if you prefer the originals.

I think the term “legal sheet” may refer to the paper size of the decals, as opposed to a letter 8.5”x11” sheet, maybe?

 

[BSNW]

I got two. This is my favorite low power kit. Will be using a 3/16 lug and will launch with D10's!

I vote we all email Estes with requests to bring back the E-version! I have sent many emails to them asking for the E-version to come back. if it does I am getting a dozen of them....
Andrew

 

[BSNW]

The E-version is BEAUTIFUL on the rms F24w

 

[Tobor]

The E-version is BEAUTIFUL on the rms F24w

One day I hope to experience that for myself.

Looks like my Interceptors will arrive tomorrow, as long as the local USPS personnel behave.

I must admit, with the acquisition of the Interceptor and the Mars Lander I received from my Secret Santa in July, I am really psyched, having fulfilled some of my childhood rocket dreams.

 

[BA_Incognito]

Just finished a rebuild of my original interceptor from the early 90s. It suffered a loss of ejection charge, came down just as straight as it went up. We salvaged as much as we could (engine mount, nose cone, wing pods). Been putting it back together over the past 15 years, and finally have it done. Always liked the NASA 2-tone blue and white color scheme so we went with that.

 

[neil_w]

Gorgeous paint job!!!

 

[BA_Incognito]

Thanks!

 

[Saluki]

Beautiful just beautiful. Would it be possible to get some close-up pictures to see the detail work a little better?

 

[prfesser]

I emailed AC Supply earlier this week asking when they would be stocking the Interceptor. Today I received a reply while I was at work. AC Supply now has them in stock. Discounted price is $17.99 (Link). So I ordered 3 of them during my lunch break. One to fly, one for display and one for... whatever I need it to be. Added a few other things I wanted to the order to get the free shipping.

Thank you! I just ordered two.

 

[BA_Incognito]

Beautiful just beautiful. Would it be possible to get some close-up pictures to see the detail work a little better?

Tried to get a couple. The decals were primarily scanned from an older Estes Interceptor decal sheet and printed out on an inkjet printer. We obviously didn't use all of the original decals, and some are in different places. The NASA tail logo was done in PaintShop Pro, as was the tail number (my NAR number). Also had to remove the USAF and "Star and Bar" logo from the wings, as well as the "3" from the nose gear door. I originally tried to do the gold outline with a paint pen, and the result was less than desirable. I then found some gold pinstrip at Hobby Lobby in the paper crafts section. There is a lot of neat stuff in that area.I still have to apply a clear coat, so the tail cone hasn't been glued on yet (its loose in one of the pics).

 

[neil_w]

Really nifty. I'd be sorely tempted to copy it when I build mine, although it does veer a bit close to the Accur8 NASA Trajector I built...

 

[heada]

I still have 2 E kits in the bags from when they re-released them a few years ago. Picked up 2 regular and 3 E size. Its good looking kit for sure.

 

[Saluki]

Thanks for the close-ups. I agree with neil_w it does look a little like the Accur8 NASA wraps but I must say in this case fewer detail gives the looks of more detail and cleaner field. Thanks, for the pics.

 

[Tobor]

They're Here.....


Side note: Funny thing about this order. One of the other kits I purchased was the Estes Guardian. It's 2nd from the left and it arrived without a face card. First time I've seen that from Estes. I wonder why?

 

[BA_Incognito]

Thanks for the close-ups. I agree with neil_w it does look a little like the Accur8 NASA wraps but I must say in this case fewer detail gives the looks of more detail and cleaner field. Thanks, for the pics.

Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.

 

[BA_Incognito]

I agree with neil_w it does look a little like the Accur8 NASA wraps but I must say in this case fewer detail gives the looks of more detail and cleaner field.

Actually, the inspiration came from the F-104s used by NASA (See below). Still looking for a NASA Meatball of the right size to place on each side.