SpaceX Falcon 9 Kit Discontinued?

[fenbay]

Hi folks,

Just getting into the hobby with my 10yo son, who is a rocket/SpaceX fanatic. I actually launched rockets with my dad when I was a kid so this is kind of cool for me.

I've seen threads with a SpaceX branded Falcon9 kit build, and looked online only to see it not available (no stock and no date when it will become available) on Amazon.

Anyone happen to know if it will be being released again or where to procure the kit? I know my son would LOVE to build/launch this one.

Thanks

 

[dhbarr]

They were sold from the SpaceX store directly in at least two variants, but I don't see them listed anymore.

 

[tim cubbedge]

erockets has the Dr. Zooch falcon heavy listed on their website.
https://www.erockets.biz/dr-zooch-flying-model-rocket-kit-48-spacex-falcon-heavy-improved/

 

[Scott_650]

erockets has the Dr. Zooch falcon heavy listed on their website.
https://www.erockets.biz/dr-zooch-flying-model-rocket-kit-48-spacex-falcon-heavy-improved/

Welcome back!

Dr. Zooch kits are a fun build, though they’re not overly difficult, I wouldn’t pick the Falcon Heavy kit as a good “re-entry” point for model rocketry - the spoofed detail parts are small and a little fiddly plus the paper wraps can be a challenge. My personal opinion is pick one up from eRockets for a future project along with a few simpler kits to get back in the groove. As far as the SpaceX Falcon kit I’ve never seen one but reading about them they seem to yield mixed results. If you’re set on having a SpaceX model Boyce Aerospace has Dragon I and II nose cones if you’re up to scratch building. Considering how tightly SpaceX controls licensing of their designs unless they have another batch of Falcons ginned up it’s not likely you’ll see a kit from another vendor.

 

[kuririn]

Don't see it listed anymore at the Space X web store. It retailed for around $35-40 IIRC.
They pop up from time to time on eBay. The box says "Falcon 9 and fairing".
Currently see two listings at outrageous prices.
Here are the Dr. Zooch Falcon heavy and the Space X Falcon 9 kits side by side for your comparison:

Zooch kit is 18mm power, "flame fins" detach for display.
Space X kit is 24mm power, clear through the wall fins, non detachable.

 

[Switch]

Hi folks,

Just getting into the hobby with my 10yo son, who is a rocket/SpaceX fanatic. I actually launched rockets with my dad when I was a kid so this is kind of cool for me.

I've seen threads with a SpaceX branded Falcon9 kit build, and looked online only to see it not available (no stock and no date when it will become available) on Amazon.

Anyone happen to know if it will be being released again or where to procure the kit? I know my son would LOVE to build/launch this one.

Thanks

I think you could build an F

Hi folks,

Just getting into the hobby with my 10yo son, who is a rocket/SpaceX fanatic. I actually launched rockets with my dad when I was a kid so this is kind of cool for me.

I've seen threads with a SpaceX branded Falcon9 kit build, and looked online only to see it not available (no stock and no date when it will become available) on Amazon.

Anyone happen to know if it will be being released again or where to procure the kit? I know my son would LOVE to build/launch this one.

Thanks

Your son is 10 years old so this will be a challenge but not impossible.

I think you could build this with BT-60 tube
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Build...er_Tubes/41mm_x_18_Body_Tube_Estes_BT-60_Size

and BT-80 tube
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Build...er_Tubes/66mm_x_18_Body_Tube_Estes_BT-80_size


with a BT-60 tube to BT-80 transition piece and and a BT-80 nose cone.
https://www.ebay.com/i/183793024403...MI6pDUxcCC5wIVgshkCh08MgvFEAQYASABEgJQs_D_BwE

Note I'm not endorsing this seller just giving you the idea.


You can cut the fins from 1/8" inch clear plastic acrylic sheet.

The hard part is cutting the tubes for the fins.
The Apogee Rockets website has so many awesome "how to" videos that I'm not going to link the specifics for your here, because you will learn so much by searching.

SpaceX decals:
Use Water Slide Decal Paper Sheets as a fun computer project to get the SpaceX graphics part right.
https://smile.amazon.com/Sheets-Ink...el+decal+transfer+film&qid=1578986397&sr=8-11

Engines
You can get the engine fittings from https://www.unclemikesrocketshack.com/index.html

Tubes and parachutes any anything else from
https://www.apogeerockets.com/

along with amazing support on any questions you have.

You can do the F9 as a one stage or two stage rocket, using a rear ejection of the primary stage see https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter439.pdf

Apogee Rockets has videos for centering rocket fins and anything else you could possibly imagine. They are amazing.

RockSim is also a very useful tool to use in designing your rocket.
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Software/RockSim

Here is a link to the build I did with my friends kids
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/spacex-falcon-heavy.155486/

Oh and if you want the extra model parts for a more realistic build there's
https://boyceaerospacehobbies.com/p...heavy-upgrade-kit?_pos=1&_sid=f78289c7c&_ss=r

 

[fenbay]

Thanks for all the great replies. I can see this forum is a great community. The helpfulness is appreciated.

 

[Blades]

If you feel up to doing a cardstock conversion, this site is an excellent resource. https://axmpaperspacescalemodels.com/index.php/falcon-9/
I am currently working on the Arabsat Falcon Heavy. If you scale the PDF down about 92% the body wraps will fit a standard BT55. Print the bodies on label paper and the rest of the details on regular 110 lb cardstock. It will feature Dr. Zooch-style flame fins.

 

[Richard Dierking]

I received a message from the SpaceX store that they were planning on restocking the Falcon 9 kits, but there was no timeline given.
Does anyone know the body tube size of these kits? For a Crew Dragon CAD design and 3D print.

 

[Jacques]

I believe Estes might be coming out with a SpaceX rocket with the Dragon capsule. Please see attached photo. I believe I got that photo somewhere here on TRF. Seems a Saturn V special edition with Skylab configuration is also coming out.

 

[Richard Dierking]

Perhaps someone will recall where this photo originated.
Estes would be ok, but I hoped that the original kit builder would get the contract again. And, maybe add the Crew Dragon. I believe that SpaceX wants to control the sales of the Falcon 9 model rocket kit. So, I think we'll always be purchasing the kits through the SpaceX store. Well, except for the resellers. Let's keep an eye on the SpaceX store for a release of the kits.

 

[Richard Dierking]

And, you could do what I did to grease the wheel a bit; Order an expensive T-shirt from SpaceX (but they are cool shirts), and when they email you the confirmation, you could respond with your desire for a Falcon 9 model rocket kit.

 

[kuririn]

When they were selling them at the SpaceX online store they were around $35-40 IIRC.
I just saw one on EBay a few minutes ago that had a Buy it Now price of $300.

Ridiculous!

 

[neil_w]

The photo is from The Estes booth at the last NARCON I believe. There seems to be some doubt as to whether Estes will be offering the Falcon 9 s as a kit, or if it was a John Boren 1-off build (@JumpJet any comment?). Tim Van Milligan seems to think it will be a kit, based on his comments in the last Peak of Flight newsletter.

 

[BEC]

The photo is from The Estes booth at the last NARCON I believe. There seems to be some doubt as to whether Estes will be offering the Falcon 9 s as a kit, or if it was a John Boren 1-off build (@JumpJet any comment?). Tim Van Milligan seems to think it will be a kit, based on his comments in the last Peak of Flight newsletter.

I received a message from the SpaceX store that they were planning on restocking the Falcon 9 kits, but there was no timeline given.

It could be that both of these are true. The existing Falcon 9 models are made with modelrockets.us/Discount Rocketry parts. The transition (https://www.discountrocketry.com/mo...p-1973.html?osCsid=scocm0ep0q0n337m6me264b7u4) and the fairing nose cone (https://www.discountrocketry.com/mo...p-1974.html?osCsid=scocm0ep0q0n337m6me264b7u4) are available separately.

Perhaps SpaceX is going to change vendors for the models.....

JumpJet will certainly know, but whether or not he can tell us is another matter .

Either way it would be nice to see it re-released with a black interstage as on the Block 5 Falcon 9s (as in the Estes NARCON picture) and maybe a better attempt at modeling the landing legs than the little stick-on foam bits of the prior “with fairing” version.

 

[manixFan]

When they were selling them at the SpaceX online store they were around $35-40 IIRC.
I just saw one on EBay a few minutes ago that had a Buy it Now price of $300.

Ridiculous!

They were $29.95 on the SpaceX store. Very nice kits for the most part, had completely pre-printed body tubes so no painting. The original kit had the smaller fairing, the newer one had the larger version. I have several and have only built one. It would be interesting to try and sell one for $300, that would buy a pretty nice HPR kit. But my son got them for me so for now I'm hanging on to them. Boyce Aerospace as some nice 3D printed parts as upgrades that I may have to buy so I can build one with the Dragon Capsule.


Tony

 

[Scott_650]

IIRC John Boren stated that the Falcon 9 displayed at NARCON was a one-off model and that Estes had no plans on releasing a kit at this time. Now, we can interpret that several ways, hopefully the correct interpretation is that “at this time” means “eventually“ rather than “never”. In the meantime you could either 3D print your own Dragon capsule and detail parts, buy them from Boyce Aerospace, or kitbash the Estes Destination Mars MAV. Hard to fathom why SpaceX doesn’t have kits available considering all the focus on the DM-2 and Starlink launches...

 

[Richard Dierking]

I do have an urge to build a HP Falcon 9, but I've kind of moved away from building scale models for the last couple years. There was a post on the SpaceX FB page today about someone creating a Crew Dragon 3D print with excellent detail. And, they are going to make the design files available, so you could scale it.
Currently, the main reason I was interested in the Falcon 9 model rocket is for a rocket workshop and launch for kids. I think they would enjoy building and flying this rocket. If SpaceX brings the kit back, just hope that they don't get scooped up immediately by the resellers.

 

[kuririn]

I just received an email from Apogee, their latest newsletter has plans for a BT-60 size Falcon 9 with Dragon capsule. The download package includes .stl files for the 3D printed parts. You will either have to print these yourself, have them printed elsewhere or use the BT-60 upgrade parts from Boyce Aerospace.
You will also need clear plastic sheet to cut your own fins.
As well as the tubes, motor mount, etc, etc.
The download package also includes the Rocksim file, templates and decal artwork.
Laters.

 

[afadeev]

Perhaps someone will recall where this photo originated.

Narcon 2020.
There were some videos from that event on YouTube, but I can't locate the one that duplicates this picture.

Estes would be ok, but I hoped that the original kit builder would get the contract again. And, maybe add the Crew Dragon. I believe that SpaceX wants to control the sales of the Falcon 9 model rocket kit. So, I think we'll always be purchasing the kits through the SpaceX store. Well, except for the resellers. Let's keep an eye on the SpaceX store for a release of the kits.

I certainly hope Estes comes out with its own kit, and soon.
The quality of the SpaceX kit is --><-- close to embarrassing for the brand. Details here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/spacex-falcon-9-and-falcon-heavy-builds.159783/

Hard to fathom why SpaceX doesn’t have kits available considering all the focus on the DM-2 and Starlink launches...

Not hard at all if you saw one firsthand.
They desperately needed a better vendor. If they are smart, they will license it to Estes.

When they were selling them at the SpaceX online store they were around $35-40 IIRC.
I just saw one on EBay a few minutes ago that had a Buy it Now price of $300.

Prices on eBay fluctuate wildly.
I bought mine a few months ago for $70, but then the prices spiked after the recent sequence of launches, especially the Demo-2.
I'm sure they will come back down again.

 

[Richard Dierking]

Hum... come to think of it, I never built one of the kits when it was offered through the SpaceX webstore, only bought them and gave them away.
I'm starting to think that the Apogee build might be the best alternative. It wouldn't be that difficult to obtain parts separately and create some directions to build the kit for the workshop. Maybe even legs that can be extended and some grid fins, although you wouldn't want the grid fins to be extended for flights!
I saw that someone mentioned clear polycarbonate for fins. You would only need thin clear plastic fins. 1/16" thick or less ? How about incorporating the fins into the inner part of the 4 extended legs? You would have to fly the model rocket with the legs extended, but it might make a better desk model too.

If the Crew Dragon, Legs, and Grid Fins were CAD files, then people could scale these for their project. Many people now have 3D printers or at least have 3D printing available through a friend. I'll post a link to the Crew Dragon I saw on the SpaceX FB page when it becomes available. Really detailed, and they said they would post the design files when it was completed.

 

[kuririn]

Just got an email from Boyce Aerospace. They have a brand new builders' kit of the SpaceX
Falcon 9 Demo II rocket and capsule.
https://boyceaerospacehobbies.com/c...ocket-kit?mc_cid=203f4f5ad5&mc_eid=7ff7bfaf55Another alternative for you.
And Estes might be coming out with a kit soon. Or not.

 

[Initiator001]

And Estes might be coming out with a kit soon. Or not.

About seven or eight years ago Space X approached Estes about making a Falcon 9 model rocket kit.
The Estes management at the time told Space X that they (Estes) were not interested.

It may take a lot for the current Estes staff to win back Space X.

 

[kuririn]

It may take a lot for the current Estes staff to win back Space X.

They may already have done so. See the pic in post #10. Between the Low boom SST and the Skylab.
This was at NARCON in March of this year.
And Tim Van Milligan says in the latest Apogee newsletter that Estes is coming out with the kit, and Apogee will carry it as soon as they do.
When? Who knows?

 

[Richard Dierking]

Hope the cost is reasonable. It's nice to have some details, but for many kids this will be their introduction to rocketry. And, when you are getting 20+ kits, the cost of a rocket building meeting can go up quickly.
I've helped kids build a lot of Alphas, E2X, and even Patriots at workshops. Hopefully, there will be a simple enough Falcon 9 kit. Maybe I'm wishing for too much?

 

[Flash]

• The Falcon 9 kit is alive and well at Boyce Aerospace!
• 
  
• The Boyce Aerospace Hobbies SpaceX Falcon 9 Demo II Builders Kit is a 1:89 scale model to simulate the Demo II Manned Space Mission
• Measures 28.625" when fully assembled with a diameter of 1.63".
• Dry weight of the Demo II version kit is 7.5oz - 8.5oz; varies with motor size
• Includes DSLA-printed Dragon II Capsule and 20 ABS FDM Printed Parts
• The full fin can boasts built-in fin slots for perfect alignment
• Features 4 clear elliptical laser-cut clear fins with a fin span of 7.5"
• This SpaceX kit also includes: a screw-on motor retainer with Merlin Engine Detail, Raceway Detail and glue-on grid fins andlanding legs
• Complete your kit with included 2-page full-color vinyl body wrap decals
• Launches uses a 3/16 launch rod
• Soars to 430' With A E12-4 Motor
• Soars to 2000' With An F Motor
• Requires the following parts not included: 2-lengths of BT-60 body tube, 1-length of BT-50 motor tube, (2) BT-60 couplers, (1) 24mm BT-50 motor block, (1) 24" parachute and (1) 24" shock cord
• Includes step-by-step assembly instructions
• Want Decals for your Dragon 2 Nose Cone? Click here and scroll to the bottom.

It's been over 9 years since a manned-space mission and SpaceX is the first private contractor in the history of Man's Space Flight. Relive the excitement of the Demo II Manned Space Mission with the Boyce Aerospace Hobbies SpaceX Falcon 9 with Dragon II Capsule Builders Kit. This kit is a 1:89 scale rocket and measure over 28" when assembled. The highly-anticipated kit features a DSLA-printed Dragon II Capsule and 20 ABS FDM printed parts. The unique kit also boasts 4 clear elliptical laser-cut fins with an impressive fin span of 7.5". Once assembled, complete your kit with 2 full-page color vinyl body wrap decals. When an F motor is used, this SpaceX Builders Kit can reach up to 2000'. Assembly instructions included. Just $52.95

 

[kuririn]

OK, here's a partially assembled build from the Apogee plans in their newsletter.
I ordered the 3D printed landing legs, grid fins and capsule from Boyce, but you can print your own.
3D .stl files are included with the plan download, and the Rocksim file and decal artwork.
Lexan fins cut from the fin template.
Need to mask and paint a black section on the upper tube, then scrape the paint off and glue the grid fins on.
You will need to print the Merlin engine nozzles section or have someone print it for you.
There are two, one for display and one for flight. You can print one, both, or neither. Can fly without it since the plans use an Estes 24mm screw on retainer.


Here's the capsule and the capsule decals from Lake County Spaceport, available separately.


A six page instruction placement sheet is included, loaded with photos.
However the colors are not entirely accurate. For example there is no tan section on the actual Demo II capsule.
If you have a 3D printer this would be the most economical way to go.
However, this is not a beginners' build.
Laters.

 

[kuririn]

Just got an email from Boyce Aerospace.
You don't need to pay $200 to Ebay for a Falcon 9 with fairing.
BA now has a builders kit:
https://boyceaerospacehobbies.com/p...lders-kit?mc_cid=e0fbfccd11&mc_eid=7ff7bfaf55

 

[kuririn]

Grid fins, secondary color and body decals are on.
Need to do brush work and decals on capsule., but mostly done.
Difference with the Boyce builders' kit is the lack of conduits.
Also the nozzles do not function as a motor retainer.
But the Apogee plans can give you a good, low cost flying model, especially if you own or have access to a 3D printer.

 

[Richard Dierking]

New Estes Rockets Coming at NARCON?

I saw there is no planned Falcon kit from Estes in the above thread this morning. Bummer. I hoped for a less expensive kit for a rocket workshop for kids about 10 years old.
The workshop will not be possible until at least next year. Maybe another vendor will be making the kit, and available on SpaceX webstore. Fingers crossed.