Estes LYNX 13mm Awesomeness!!!

[BSNW]

Hey all!
So my wife got this kit for me as a present. I often have looked at the Lynx, Scorpion and Puma on the Estes website. I now want to get ALL three! This kit...the Lynx is SUPER COOL and was a fun relaxing build! I even went and got plenty of A10 motors. Finally some small kits that look GREAT. Trust me, it is a fun build and I am excited to do the finishing work on mine. Estes.....GREAT JOB ON THIS KIT!!!

The kit had great parts, and looks sharp. Does anyone out there have photos they would like to post of the Scorpion or the Puma? if so please post them....I would love to see them. My local hobby store has them on order for me!(the Scorpion and Puma).

From A10 mini rockets to my large projects that go on K1100's.....I love them all man! Photos below. I will post the completed model when I can. the photos below show it even before the glue is dry!!

Peace
Andrew K

 

[BSNW]

 

[kuririn]

Andrew, I agree! These are fun but challenging builds.
I think you'll probably wind up finishing and painting these before me.
These have been on my shelf "nekkid" for over a year. (I hate sanding).
Happy flying!

 

[BSNW]

These kits would also be even better at the BT55 or BT60 scaled up size! I hope Estes sees this post and considers it!
Andrew

 

[GlenP]

You could scratch build your own, use the nose cone from the Odyssey in their sci fi nose cone pack.

https://www.estesrockets.com/003173-sci-fi-nose-cone-assortment-5-pk

 

[neil_w]

@JJSR made a really nice upscale of the Lynx, looked to me to be roughly BT60-sized (going from memory). If you're interested in giving it a shot you can contact him for info.

I would think Estes tries to have a good spread of different rocket sizes available to appeal to different needs. At some point upscales becomes the responsibility of the scratchbuilder or the aftermarket.

That said, it certainly seems like folks want upscales of practically *everything*. But sufficient sales volume has to be there to make it worth selling. I don't know how Estes makes those determinations.

 

[BSNW]

Good points Glen and Neil.
I thought about trying to upscale it to a BT55 size. However the kit as is....is ALSO a great size. For some reason....I love this little guy. It truly has style. I also purchased the Airborne Surveillance Missile. Another A10 kit with style. I guess I just like the "space plane" style rockets along with the traditional style rockets.
I will look into a possible upscale.....but I have a lot on my build list first. I am still hoping beyond hope for the return of the Interceptor-E....but my other thread to that end was/is a dud.
But there is a lot of good kits out there and fun to be had.....the Lynx just got sanded and primed....photos to come!
Andrew

 

[Rockyt]

I thought these little ships were specifically designed for small fields.

Besides, OR has an upscale feature, and can even print the fin/wing patterns.

I've had a Scorpion primed for a couple months to airbrush...should be flight ready soon. Then...onto the Skonk Wulf

 

[Nytrunner]

13mm rockets are quite nifty. I didn't really understand the appeal when I started getting into rockets with 18mm then 24, then high power, but now that I have a few 13s....

They're cute! and you can fly 4 of them for 10 bucks! Just another example of rockets being great in all sizes

 

[BSNW]

Well It is finally done! I have some A10's and will give it a go when the weather breaks! I truly recommend this kit....fun build!

 

[BSNW]

The Lynx...

 

[DRAGON64]

Your build turned out great! We need flight reports and pics now. Knowing what you know now, would build her again? Maybe even recommend this build to others?

 

[BSNW]

Your build turned out great! We need flight reports and pics now. Knowing what you know now, would build her again? Maybe even recommend this build to others?

THANKS for your kind comment!
YES I would build one again. I am getting the other two kits-Scorpion and Puma. I will also pick up another Lynx
And I really do recommend this kit! It is small but challenging! But I would not call it tough....Its always about patience and going slow...
I will post flight vid/report when Iaunch it!
Andrew

 

[jqavins]

This got me to take a look at the 13 mm offerings. Now I might have to build a Twin Factor.

 

[BABAR]

Reealllllly nice!

How'd you get such a sharp edge on the different paint colors on the nose cone/canopy?

 

[BSNW]

Reealllllly nice!

How'd you get such a sharp edge on the different paint colors on the nose cone/canopy?

THANK YOU for your kind comment!
For the nose cone canopy, I used yellow Frog tape...but when I pulled it off, it did not look so hot. It was not the fault of the tape, just the angles I was trying to do. It usually works perfectly. To correct the rough edges, I then used a super soft-sharp edge art brush and went around the edges. I should have done that the first time and not used the tape (I think). The Testors-Acrylic-Model Master paint is simply the best for this type of stuff. It is really "watery"/light bodied and covers well (a sign of a great paint)...which is great for detail work. (thick paint is a pain in the #@!! and I usually add isopropanol to "water" it down). You can get it online or at Hobby Lobby. I cant wait to launch it!
Thanks again!
Andrew

 

[milehigh]

My first kit when I became a BAR a couple years ago is the Lynx.
A couple of flying tips....this one weathercocks pretty badly in wind, so save it for calm days.
Also use a small parachute - 10" with a spill hole. The wind will carry this one with any thing bigger.
Have fun flying this bird - it really performs well on an A10 motor.
Here's a couple pics of mine on its 7th flight mission:

 

[Andrew_ASC]

Nice.

 

[BSNW]

Hello milehigh!
Thanks for the photos! looks great!! I cant wait to launch mine!
Andrew

 

[BSNW]

Hello Milehigh-
Dude...you were correct!!
I went out to launch my Lynx today and it truly went higher than I thought it would. I did not cut down my chute as I had plenty of room for recovery. I also had a tough time packing the chute in the BT20 tube! I am used to much larger air-frames....HA! But it all worked out....what a great little performer! It did not spin or anything...smooth and straight!
pre-launch photo below! What fun!

 

[milehigh]

Looks great !!
You will find that this bird will quickly become one of your fleet favorites. Mr. Boren definitely knocked one out of the park with this design.