First Kit Release from First Flight Hobbies!

[First_Flight]

Ladies and Gentlemen!

I am happy to announce the first kit offering from First Flight Hobbies, LLC.

Introducing the Semi-Sonic, as seen in this post by one of my Beta Testers:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showpost.php?p=55735&postcount=65

I'll put up a few pics of the 3rd unpainted prototype kit this evening.

With this announcement I also have several questions and requests for feedback. First, what are some of your opinions on this rocket and is there any interest in an upscale to BT-60? (Sure hope so because nose cones are being cut right now!) Second, what types of rocket kits catch your attention? Third, would there be any interest in a "Coolest Paint Job" competition with the photo of your rocket becoming the new cover art for the kit package? Prizes to include Limited Edition copies of the newest kits to be released...

Looking forward to hearing from everyone! Thanks!

First_Flight / RangerStl

 

[Peartree]

Price?

Ordering info?

 

[First_Flight]

In answer to John's questions;

Target retail price for the Semi-Sonic is $13.50 for either the Limited Edition kit or the Retail Bagged kit. There are currently 18 Limited Edition and 20 bagged kits.

Ordering info is forthcoming because I have to get my instructions printed which will likely be available for pickup next week. I'm sending the files to my printer right now.

The website is a bit of a mess right now because I still have to get Paypal set up properly. Until that happens, I hope to take orders by e-mail and fill them in the order which they are received. When I get a little breathing room I'll get the Paypal site set up.

Thanks for your interest!

N

 

[Peartree]

How do I find your website? Can you put it in your sig so we can find it easily?

 

[First_Flight]

But I tell you it's a mess! Really!

 

[Gillard]

With this announcement I also have several questions and requests for feedback.
First, what are some of your opinions on this rocket and is there any interest in an upscale to BT-60? (Sure hope so because nose cones are being cut right now!)
Second, what types of rocket kits catch your attention?
Third, would there be any interest in a "Coolest Paint Job" competition with the photo of your rocket becoming the new cover art for the kit package?

First_Flight / RangerStl

I think its a fine looking rocket, the first time i saw it i thought two stage, but after that it looks like a good entry level rocket - i hope the final version also has the builer cutting out the fins - i prefer to "make" the rocket as opposed to "assemble" - an upscale would be good -especially if it was a two stage!
i really like gliders - but they are perhaps at bit speciallist for a new vendor, after that, anything that stands outside of the 3fnc/4fnc range. also a fan of short and stumpies - like the fatboy, big daddy stuff
paint job competition is a good idea but, i think that the artcard paint job needs to be artwork that the standard fairly new to the hobby rocketeer can reproduce with just a few colours, in the competition there will be someone who creates a masterpiece with the use of mylar tape, sparkle paint, amazing decals, and the use of twenty different coloured paints. perhaps it should be a competition for a standard paint job, or the art card could show a stardard paint job with a small cut away box to the side that shows what could be achieved e.g. the masterpiece (a bit like Estes did with the Menace kit).
i'm really looking forward to the No1 kit -thanks for offering it up as a prize on EMRR.

 

[First_Flight]

How do I find your website? Can you put it in your sig so we can find it easily?

John, you are going to shame me into spending some time getting my site in shape, aren't you... :cyclops:

I know the website and advertising are key, but there is just so much to get smoothed out and ready! I'd call myself 98% ready to run right now, but that last 2% is just as important as the preceding 98%.

N

 

[First_Flight]

I think its a fine looking rocket, the first time i saw it i thought two stage, but after that it looks like a good entry level rocket - i hope the final version also has the builer cutting out the fins - i prefer to "make" the rocket as opposed to "assemble" - an upscale would be good -especially if it was a two stage!
i really like gliders - but they are perhaps at bit speciallist for a new vendor, after that, anything that stands outside of the 3fnc/4fnc range. also a fan of short and stumpies - like the fatboy, big daddy stuff
paint job competition is a good idea but, i think that the artcard paint job needs to be artwork that the standard fairly new to the hobby rocketeer can reproduce with just a few colours, in the competition there will be someone who creates a masterpiece with the use of mylar tape, sparkle paint, amazing decals, and the use of twenty different coloured paints. perhaps it should be a competition for a standard paint job, or the art card could show a stardard paint job with a small cut away box to the side that shows what could be achieved e.g. the masterpiece (a bit like Estes did with the Menace kit).
i'm really looking forward to the No1 kit -thanks for offering it up as a prize on EMRR.

Matt:

Thanks so much for your feedback! To answer your questions...

The fins are still "Cut Them Yourself" with included patterns.

I was thinking 2-stage as well, but that particular setup would be too tail-heavy in BT-50 and 18 mm. The 24 mm version will have to be tested, but that might be possible. For now, "Hot two-stage looks without the added complexity" will have to say it all.

I hadn't really considered gliders. I'll have to see what the future brings.

Those are really good points about the rocket decoration contest! I also think it would be best to go for an attractive scheme that is within the means of most builders. Perhaps I'll have to word the contest a bit carefully to make sure the goals are met.

N

 

[First_Flight]

All:

here are some pics of the unpainted prototypes. The small one is called "Semi-Sonic" and is based on a BT-50. Overall length about 16.5" (42 cm). As soon as instructions are printed and decals cut I hope to start shipping.

The larger one next to it is the "Mega-Sonic" and is based on a BT-60 tube. Overall length is about 28" (71 cm). This one is not quite ready yet. Carl is buzzing out fifty BNC60-Y cones as we speak. It is basically an upscale of the "Semi-Sonic".

Kits feature kevlar recovery harness, real cotton sewing elastic shock cords measuring 2x the body length and balsa nose cones. Fins are "Cut them yourself" variety with card stock patterns included (thanks for the suggestion Charlene). Instructions are booklet-type with full color cover art. Right now I lack a good cover photo, so anyone interested in participating in the "YOUR ROCKET PHOTO HERE!" contest can submit a photo of their rocket for use in the packaging! Free kits awarded to the winner(s)!

If interest in the kit remains strong I may consider laser-cut fins in the future.

For each kit there will also be 18 "Limited-Edition Boxed Kits" available for purchase. These are numbered, signed and dated by me and only available from my website, which is still being tweaked.