Interesting that they stuff a "T" motor into an Alpha III. Or that they show the "T" motor next to, and at the same size, as regular 18mm motors. I think real rocket people didn't have enough input into this film.
Hans.
Estes Space X Falcon 9 advertisement w/price
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Hans.
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Technically they insert the motor the wrong way in that video... but nevermind.
At $150, I could probably buy all the bits needed to build a bigger, better 24mm at least Falcon 9.
At $150, I could buy a really nice LOC Precision kit that would last longer and I could stuff F and G motors into.
I mean, it's nice and all, but as someone who builds rockets to actually *fly* them, I'm investing my funds elsewhere.
At $150, I could probably buy all the bits needed to build a bigger, better 24mm at least Falcon 9.
At $150, I could buy a really nice LOC Precision kit that would last longer and I could stuff F and G motors into.
I mean, it's nice and all, but as someone who builds rockets to actually *fly* them, I'm investing my funds elsewhere.
ShadowSpire48
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So to summarize... a rocket kit that only Estes is selling and won't let anyone else sell that flies on engines that only Estes is selling and won't let anyone else sell.
justinwebb
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Available for purchase! Got one!
This was at the bottom of the page
This Rocket is excluded from all coupon codes
This was at the bottom of the page
This Rocket is excluded from all coupon codes
Ugh...I abandoned my cart when they also wanted $23 for shipping. They should have free shipping sometime soon.
?? I've gotten my C5-3s from AC Supply.
added: though if I were to buy one of these things to fly (not terribly likely) it would get a C12-4FJ or maybe even a C18-4W instead. The C18 would have the right "look"
Hmm, I have a buddy who might be interested... He's a Kerbal guy, follows space a lot closer than I do.
me too! What's up with that? $50 free shipping right? I tried it on three browsers and my phone. Still had shipping.
rharshberger
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That should be a short one....I'm looking forward to a build thread!
maybe they will have a black Friday sale on this?
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Yeah, when the price topped $180, after shipping and taxes, I abandoned the buy.
No idea, but I suspect that the thrust ring on the back of the case would complicate things unless the Falcon-9 uses a different sort of motor retention than the 1/200 RTF Saturn V. That model has a screw-on retainer (which also retains the clear plastic fin unit) and it won't fit over the rear closure of an 18/20 case.
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An 18 mm AT RMS case is super hot after a flight. I wouldn't trust them in a plastic motor mount.
I just tried it with an unloaded case. The retainer will fit but cinching the cap down with fat fingers in between the clear fins is a challenge in delicacy.
Scott_650
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Ah, looks like it's a rotate to lock fin unit with a retaining flange. Different from the 1/200 Sat. V.
Are you all preferred customers or what? I can't find a blasted thing about it on Estes's website. Even with a search or three.
Edited to add: Okay, get this. I went directly to Estes's site, looked in all the places I thought it would be listed, then searched 3 times. Nada. Then I just searched internet-wide from my browser and viola! The listing on the Estes site.
Edited to add: Okay, get this. I went directly to Estes's site, looked in all the places I thought it would be listed, then searched 3 times. Nada. Then I just searched internet-wide from my browser and viola! The listing on the Estes site.
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I am interested and will probably buy one.
Interesting that the fin unit is the motor retainer. Quite a bit different than the 1/200 Saturn V. I admit that I hadn't actually tried an 18/20 case in my SV....but now it looks like it's moot.
The more recent production (the last year or so) of Q-Jets have been much more consistent with delay accuracy. I've flown a bunch of Q-Jets (probably well over 100 by now) and only have seen the nozzle issues once or twice. But I'd probably think about it a bit, especially with the White Lightning ones, since they have been a little more erratic for me.
I got an email from Estes about it today, saying that since I'd signed up for "Rocket Rewards" I get first dibs.....Are you all preferred customers or what? I can't find a blasted thing about it on Estes's website. Even with a search or three.
Edited to add: Okay, get this. I went directly to Estes's site, looked in all the places I thought it would be listed, then searched 3 times. Nada. Then I just searched internet-wide from my browser and viola! The listing on the Estes site.
Go to the Estes homepage, scroll to the bottom and sign up for Rocket rewards. Members get early announcements and first dibs on sales and new products. Finally got my email and link to the Falcon 9 page but I'm gonna have to pass.
just a guess, but i think Estes farms out their visual stuff, including web, print and multi-media. folks doing the work don't really understand all the details. That would explain why a recent sale listed the m104 pat but showed the citation pat, and stuff like backwards engines in presentation material or whatnot. i could be wrong, of course. could be amanda, who has packaged my orders a couple times... or maybe summer...
Thanks for the comments and info,folks. Looks like I'll pass this one. I would have been interested 10 years ago.
Anywasy, I already expended my entire store of irony and wry wit buying the RTF SLS model. It's actually very nice and flies well.
Anywasy, I already expended my entire store of irony and wry wit buying the RTF SLS model. It's actually very nice and flies well.
mh9162013
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Just saw it on the estes.com site. They say "The Space X Falcon 9 is the world’s first human-rated, reusable launch vehicle."
I guess the Space Shuttle doesn't count? I understand the Falcon 9 might be "more" reusable than the Shuttle, but we're splitting hairs, aren't we?
Or maybe there's some term-of-art in the space industry I'm not aware of...
I guess the Space Shuttle doesn't count? I understand the Falcon 9 might be "more" reusable than the Shuttle, but we're splitting hairs, aren't we?
Or maybe there's some term-of-art in the space industry I'm not aware of...
ThirstyBarbarian
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This price makes little sense for a flying model, but it might be a nice static display, if you are into that sort of thing.
I have a fair amount of SpaceX memorabilia, so maybe I’m the kind of guy this is aimed at. Plus, a Lego Saturn V sits on my desk, as well as a flown model of the previous Estes Falcon 9, along with several other display models in my home office. So I'm already predisposed to display kits.
The model is also available via the SpaceX store so I had my son order one for me. I checked their public store and shipping is only $15, so maybe worth checking out if you are interested. Plus you can order all kinds of other cool swag.
Personally, I think it's a good sign that Estes is willing to invest the amount of money that is required for the molds and artwork for a kit of this detail. Based on other posts I've read about the Goex purchase and other business decisions, it seems as though current owners are trying very hard to grow the business in a variety of ways. And as has been pointed out in some of those threads, it is harder in many areas to fly model rockets, so perhaps coming out with highly detailed 'kits' that are really display models, may be another way for them to capitalize on their brand while staying within their current market space. I fly mostly HPR now, but there are still a number of Estes kits I would buy as desktop displays.
Tony
The model is also available via the SpaceX store so I had my son order one for me. I checked their public store and shipping is only $15, so maybe worth checking out if you are interested. Plus you can order all kinds of other cool swag.
Personally, I think it's a good sign that Estes is willing to invest the amount of money that is required for the molds and artwork for a kit of this detail. Based on other posts I've read about the Goex purchase and other business decisions, it seems as though current owners are trying very hard to grow the business in a variety of ways. And as has been pointed out in some of those threads, it is harder in many areas to fly model rockets, so perhaps coming out with highly detailed 'kits' that are really display models, may be another way for them to capitalize on their brand while staying within their current market space. I fly mostly HPR now, but there are still a number of Estes kits I would buy as desktop displays.
Tony
Maybe. I guess it would be better to say that it is the first CIV man rated reusable.
I think it is fair to assume that, in this case, "willing" simply means "pretty certain of selling a lot of them".
I prefer the word "refurbishable" for the space shuttle.
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