Estes Crossbow SST

[kelltym88]

I'm confused Estes is still re-releasing the Satellite Interceptor, right? Not just this downgraded version Crossbow.

And there were no kits at the Moreno Valley WM, I was in Redlands on a delivery and stopped by. That's in So Cal for you easterners.

 

[JRThro]

The Rascal, the other RTF, and the 4 Sustainables kits are all packaged in identically-sized and -shaped cardboard boxes.

Actually, this turns out not to be the case. I stopped by another Wal-Mart this evening, and the Sustainables boxes are about 3"-4" shorter than the Rascal box, but they do have the same square footprint.

 

[judo]

I just finished wandering the Mandarin area Wal-mart in search of a black Testors paint pen. No new rockets, just couple of bins of motors at $6.97 per pack. No plastic models, no paint pens.

 

[Fishhead]

Nothing at the Ft. Wright, KY store that I checked this afternoon. (On the odd chance that any of you had a road trip planned.) I hope to get a look at the Carrollton, KY store tomorrow.

 

[FooBag]

I'm confused Estes is still re-releasing the Satellite Interceptor, right? Not just this downgraded version Crossbow.

Yeah, they are still putting out the Satellite Interceptor. The Crossbow has additional fins and no tubes on the wings, so it isn't exactly a downscale.

For everyone looking for these kits, the stores in my area were stocking the shelves with them when I stopped by at 10:30 PM tonight; they had arrived in today's product shipments.

 

[Pantherjon]

Stopped in on the WM I pass on the way home from work..They had 2 of the Sustainables on the shelf..The Star Stryker and the Ricochet..Went ahead a grab a Ricochet..They also had some of the HiJinks/Rascal rockets, a couple of the Flash RTF's..But, funny thing, they have all these rockets BUT NO MOTORS! Opposite from what they had 2 weeks ago; no rockets and 4 of the 2 tier motor packages..

 

[shreadvector]

I'm confused Estes is still re-releasing the Satellite Interceptor, right? Not just this downgraded version Crossbow.

And there were no kits at the Moreno Valley WM, I was in Redlands on a delivery and stopped by. That's in So Cal for you easterners.

They had 4 each of 3 of the new boxed balsa finned/coned kits at one of the 2 Walmarts I visited yesterday afternoon in Lakewood/Long Beach CA.

Stock levels can change at any time. I always have a sheet of stickers in my pocket in case they restocked.

 

[JRThro]

The Westview Wal - Mart always seem to carry a good line of kits and motors, out of the many Wal - Marts I've visited in the far west Houston area.

*And* it's just down the Beltway from my office! (which is on Clay Rd. just inside the Beltway)

 

[dwmzmm]

*And* it's just down the Beltway from my office! (which is on Clay Rd. just inside the Beltway)

Lucky you!!! And, the Hobby Lobby at Jones Road/FM 1960 seems to be the
best I've seen (out of the others closer to me) when it comes to model rocketry stuff, so you're in great hands, John!

 

[Mike Howie]

*And* it's just down the Beltway from my office! (which is on Clay Rd. just inside the Beltway)

You know, I've been around "The Beltway" many a time. Never wound up in
Texas.


(Capitol Beltway- MD/VA)

 

[El Cheapo]

stopped by two WM's today. One only had four packs of C motors for $6.97 and the other had zilch, zero, nada on the shelf.

 

[Queeg500]

what is the backstory on the parachute plastic? was the old yellow and black toxic or something?

 

[El Cheapo]

who knows other than the fact that white probably cost a few cents per unit less than silk screened or however they do it.

 

[Fishhead]

what is the backstory on the parachute plastic? was the old yellow and black toxic or something?

If it was from China, I guess it's possible that there was some lead in the paint/ink.

 

[JRThro]

If it was from China, I guess it's possible that there was some lead in the paint/ink.

Or it wasn't worth the expense of testing for it.

 

[JRThro]

stopped by two WM's today. One only had four packs of C motors for $6.97 and the other had zilch, zero, nada on the shelf.

Did they also have zip?

 

[worldofglenn]

The Eden Prairie Wal-Mart was a complete zero.... however, on a subsequent day I did locate the series at a Super Wal-Mart in Shakopee. Apologies to all who aren't familiar with the outlaying communities in the Twin Cities

Star Stryker was most expensive at $7.97, followed by the Crossbow at $6.97 and the Tazer Twin at $5.97. I picked up two packs of C6-3's, on the shelf they were tagged at $4.97 but at the register they rang up at $3.00. Might have to go back for more. Wish they had a bit better selection, but happy so far.

For those still searching, try to concentrate on the super Wal-Marts.

After recently finishing up a Flis Morning Star, a Sunward CSX-Six Footer, and a Pem-Tech Kraken(ready to paint), my first impression is that these are small But they look like they will be fun builds. Weekend weather calls for rain, so looks like I will have plenty to occupy myself with.

Still have an SR-71 and the Star Ship one in the backup build queue. That SR-71 is an intimidating build.

Pics of the fleet coming soon!

 

[El Cheapo]

Did they also have zip?

The one had zip but since the 2nd store had four packs of C's, I didn't think it warranted zip.

 

[SCIGS30]

These 4 birds went together nice and easy and look pretty nice. I think Estes did a great thing bringing these kits to Walmart. I did not find any flaws in the designs or directions. I will apply 3 coats of balsa sealer to the 1/16 balsa and shoot with primer. I bought some Testors Lacquer paint and will see how it works.

 

[kelltym88]

SCIGS, do you work? Seems like everyday your posting pics of new rockets. Jealous? Yes I am.

 

[stickershock23]

That tazer twin looks an awefull lot like the old Farside... just short one stage. I feel a Bash coming on..

 

[foose4string]

SCIGS, do you work? Seems like everyday your posting pics of new rockets. Jealous? Yes I am.

Scigs is a model building machine for sure, and quite good at it too!

These models go together very quickly. One can easily be built in an in an evening's time. I have the Star Stryker and Ricochet done and looking much the same. I'm only doing two at a time since I only have that many hands. I'm not as talented as Scigs.

 

[BEC]

The new kits (and the Moon Mutt mini-engine E2X starter set) have all landed in south Puget Sound area W*Ms. All five stores I've been in the last couple of days had (initially) four of each of the kits and two Moon Mutts. Only one of the five has engines and only a couple of the five have much of anything else. No shelf tags yet.



One post?? Have they reset the counter again?

 

[Pantherjon]

So, back to the originator of this thread, Indiana, have you built the Crossbow and gotten it painted? Curious minds(well mine, anyway!) want to know!

 

[luke strawwalker]

New kits are arriving at WalMart. Only checked one so far, they had the Crossbow, Richochet and I think, the Taser Twin.

I think I'll leave out the engine hook, so I leave off the exterior retaining ring.

Here it is, note the white parachute and the crazy large bag for the motor block. The water-slide decals look as good as I've seen from Estes for a while, they are the type that do not have the clear coating over the whole sheet.

Interesting tidbit about the chutes... I find that a bit amusing actually...

Dr. Zooch used to use plain white trash bags cut into hexes for his kit chutes, and folks griped that they were too hard to see in the air (blend with clouds, low contrast, whatever) and on the ground (looks like, well, a W/M bag or other trash lying around) so he managed to get his hands on some red trash bags, which worked better. Then he found his source of red trash bags was sort of a happy accident or something like that, because red trash bags are sort of a no-no in the trash bag industry, because red is reserved for BIO-HAZARD medical waste type stuff. So, now he's using yellow trash bags for chutes, and I think I've heard some guys say they got an orange one, though I haven't.

Now due to the nanny state, Estes can't print their parachutes anymore (or time being, whatever) and are using plain white 'trash bag' chutes... I think I'd toss it and just send some nickels to Evil Ed and get some of those cool Hartle Engineering parachutes... WAY better chute than Estes would ever put in their kit anyway...

Yall have a good one! OL JR

 

[foose4string]

Interesting tidbit about the chutes... I find that a bit amusing actually...

Dr. Zooch used to use plain white trash bags cut into hexes for his kit chutes, and folks griped that they were too hard to see in the air (blend with clouds, low contrast, whatever) and on the ground (looks like, well, a W/M bag or other trash lying around) so he managed to get his hands on some red trash bags, which worked better. Then he found his source of red trash bags was sort of a happy accident or something like that, because red trash bags are sort of a no-no in the trash bag industry, because red is reserved for BIO-HAZARD medical waste type stuff. So, now he's using yellow trash bags for chutes, and I think I've heard some guys say they got an orange one, though I haven't.

Now due to the nanny state, Estes can't print their parachutes anymore (or time being, whatever) and are using plain white 'trash bag' chutes... I think I'd toss it and just send some nickels to Evil Ed and get some of those cool Hartle Engineering parachutes... WAY better chute than Estes would ever put in their kit anyway...

Yall have a good one! OL JR

I think Ed also has some sizes that may work a little better. I think the 12 inch chutes that come with the kits(besides the Taser Twin) are going to be too much. They'll fit, but they'll not be the easiest chutes to pack into a BT20. The Richochet will be ok in that regard. And, if there is any wind at all you can probably wave bye, bye... or be prepared for a looong walk at the very least. I think an eight or ten inch might be better.

 

[n3tjm]

What's the recommended motors for the star stryker?

 

[Indiana]

So, back to the originator of this thread, Indiana, have you built the Crossbow and gotten it painted? Curious minds(well mine, anyway!) want to know!

Not yet, very busy right now. My main goal was to show you guys what the new kits looked like (and maybe rub it in to those that don't have them yet ). I'll post it when I do.

 

[HemiLess]

I found all four at the Wal-Mart in Atlanta. Off of Chamblee-Tucker. Interesting is that they were not with the other rockets and motors, but in the clearance section!??! All four were $33.00 even.

 

[privateer]

Tulsa W-M at Admiral has the four new kits in. I thought that they (and the Moon Mutt) were using the exact same box as the RTF's. Someone here says the RTF box is longer; I didn't notice. I immediately thought Estes was using the same box for everything to simplify. It also sits better on the shelf, as far at the retailer is concerned, than last year's clamshelled launchables.

I think the Moon Mutt is a great idea. Alot of kids will throw $10 at something just to try it. They should have put at least one 13mm engine in it though. W-M usually has 18mm's but 13mm's are spotty.