What should be Estes next re-release

Well Estes has come out with the Der Red Max and now the Interceptor. I have friends already pre-ordering both rockets, these are people who are not rocket fans. They have seen my old Estes rockets so they want to build the same ones. What should be Estes next re-release????? Is that even a word? Here are some of my favorites.
1. The Omega
2. Cherokee D
3. Goblin
4. Vega
5. The Bat
6. Patriot
7. Mars Snooper II

What can I say I am a sucker for 3FNC.

The birdie...

Hospital_Rocket said:

The birdie...

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OH MAN!!! It just does NOT get any better than that!!!

etc.

Does anyone have any info on either of the Interceptor Re-releases? The upscale is what I am particularly interested in. I did not see any mention of it on the Estes web site. Would like to know if it's more along the lines of the Interceptor G that NCR made or if the upscale will have a 'correct' nose cone patterned after the original scale bird.

I would like to see the Goblin come back.

micrometer said:

Does anyone have any info on either of the Interceptor Re-releases? The upscale is what I am particularly interested in. I did not see any mention of it on the Estes web site. Would like to know if it's more along the lines of the Interceptor G that NCR made or if the upscale will have a 'correct' nose cone patterned after the original scale bird.

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it is a proper upscale. Looks to be very well done. There will be a couple of differences, like the upper fin probes will have some detail to them rather than being just upscaled pointed toothpicks. And the larger fins will have reinforcing humps.

https://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showpost.php?p=20762&postcount=42

1:100 Saturn 1B

NAR29996 said:

1:100 Saturn 1B

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:dito:

I second the motion on the 1/100 Saturn 1B. A lot of the simple rockets like the Cherokee D and Goblin are pretty easy to clone, and clone kits are available from places like Thrustline and PDR. But the more complex kits are a lot harder to clone. Semroc makes a fantastic clone of the old 1/70th Saturn 1B, and Apogee makes a very accurate scale version of the 1/70th, but the 1/100th scale (originally Centuri with a limited release by Estes) is not currently available by anyone.

Now, if Estes started making upscales of other classics, that would be great. One can get upscales of some classics from Q Modeling and Hawks Hobbies, but Estes could probably produce the kits for less. Q Modeling and Hawks Hobbies are great, and I don't want to suggest anything that would damage their businesses, but I would like to see more Estes kits like the Interceptor E. It would be best if Estes did upscales other than what Q Modeling and Hawks Hobbies have available.

DeWain

WOW!!!!!!! That is really a tough question, considering that so many of the "classics" have been released by other vendors, plus the fact that anything that Estes may re-release will be over priced...... but how about:

1. The orginal Astron Scout?
2. The original Astron X-Ray?
3. The original Astron Sprite?
4. The 1/50-scale Saturn 1B that flew in prototype form at NARAM-34?
5. The original BT-60 based Mercury-Redstone?

NAR29996 said:

1:100 Saturn 1B

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I agree -- the 1B is a great kit. But I do not really need one just yet ... Please don't hate me -- I have three in the box ...



Th last one I stumbled upon at an Ace Hardware store a few years ago. It was on a top shelf above the Rubbermaid products! This Ace did have a few rockets, but I began to wonder if somebody spotted it, placed it on a shelf elsewhere, and was planning to come back later with cash ...


The Saturn 1B is a favorite of mine. I also have the Apogee version, which is a beautiful kit. I was off doing HPR for years, gave up on that and got into RC planes, and kind of put that on the back burner as I realized I missed good ol' model rocketry. Lots of building to do!

I would like to see the Cherokee D and Goblin come back.
:lucky:

Here's my 2-cents:
for the 2008 catalog, discontinue all X-prize kits except for Space Ship One and the Rubicon.

Replace the Gauchito with the Little John
Replace the Lucky Seven with the Honest John
Replace the Thunderstar with the Army Hawk

Only the Hojo would need a balsa nose so probably not likely.
Maybe develop an exclusive line of re-issues for the BAR market, at least a page of six. anyway the '07 catalog was a disappointment back in May, now it's mid-summer already!

What about the Blue Bird Zero as a match for the Red Max? Personally I like the BB0 better.

<Large crowd chanting>Blasphemur!, Blasphemur!, Blasphemur!</Large crowd chantinb>

SCIGS30 said:

What should be Estes next re-release?????

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When the Estes Forum was running a few months ago we pounded them with suggestions.

#1 was obviously the Interceptor, to which they have thankfully responded.

After that were the usual suspects, but I think we got through to them that priority should be given to those subjects that are difficult to clone due to plastic or at least non-standard parts.

There was also a definite base calling for more of the old Sci-fi models from around 1980 (i.e. NOT the licensed stuff).

We also asked for them to dip some more into the Centuri files.

deleted by author

I'd vote for the K49 Sprint and the 0654 Bomarc. I had a Bomarc as a kid. This is the one with rear ejection and then glided down. Boy that was a long time ago.

RoyGreen said:

When the Estes Forum was running a few months ago we pounded them with suggestions.

#1 was obviously the Interceptor, to which they have thankfully responded.

After that were the usual suspects, but I think we got through to them that priority should be given to those subjects that are difficult to clone due to plastic or at least non-standard parts.

There was also a definite base calling for more of the old Sci-fi models from around 1980 (i.e. NOT the licensed stuff).

We also asked for them to dip some more into the Centuri files.

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Roy,

I could not agree more. I got introduced to Estes rockets in the early 60s, and visited Estes in 1966, and had a personal tour by Vern. I owe my pursuit of an engineering degree and getting a job working on missile systems to Vern. Hard to imagine what might have been if Estes and Centuri were not around when I was a kid.

But by the time all the really cool sci-fi models were coming out, I was out of the hobby for a bit, chasing other passions. There were some incredibly talented folks at Estes (and Centuri) developing a bunch of kits during this time, and I want them now!



I would encourage everyone to order the re-releases, to make sure Estes does well on their investment to bring out the oldies.

And let's not forget all the little companies that are recreating some of the classics, making decal sets, etc. Show them your support too.

Saturn or V2

Der Big-E Red Max. An upscale of Der Big Red Max using a BT-80 or perhaps that new 2.0 dia. BT . I know this would be an easy scratch build, but hey would still be cool.

If I had a choice it would be the Centuri Kit # KS-8 which is the 1:45 Scale Little Joe II.
I would want a total repoduction of the kit right down to the smallest detail. This was one awesome rocket. It also e-bay's at some of the highest prices of any kit when you can find one.

Also, just think, a nose cone set to even make the 1:45 Scale Saturn 1B!!!

Of coarse I would be happy with just the Little Joe II.

:kill:

YESSSSSSS!!!! The 1/45 LJII...My best friend built one of those "back in the day", and I couldn't afford one then...

Which one is the swing wing glider?

The 2.6" version of the Jayhawk should be re-released next- they're super awesome kits...

I love the re-releases but wish they would actually get to the retail market (Hobby Lobby, local hobby shops) in a more timely fashion. However, they ARE worth waiting for. I vote for:

1. Astron X-Ray
2. Citation Bomarc
3. Saros

pkmpd said:

I vote for:

3. Saros

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I built this Saros in 1975. Immediately fell in love with the clean lines on the Saros when I saw it. Also a great nose cone. And I had been out of rocketry for a couple years, and was surprised to see a kit with plastic tube adapter, and fin unit, in addition to plastic nose cone. But this was different -- they were in halves, with alignment pins/holes, like plastic model parts.

It stil has the rubber shock cord, but I could not bring myself to try flying this again. Maybe ...

Didn't Estes make a swing wing rocket glider? I saw a guy fly a REALLY OLD kit that was a swing wing rocket glider and I think he said it was by Estes although I am not sure.

Ian,

There was the Scissor-Wing Transport way back when, and it was re-released. Maybe this is the one. It is on the Estes website -- look at the bottom of this page:

https://www.estesrockets.com/rockets.php?level=3

Nope, it didn't unfold scissor style. If its not Estes, maybe one of you would know who made it. It hald wings made out of some type of fabric connected from the fusselage to a swing boom on each side of the fusselage. It would flap open when reaching apogee and glide very well.

I am talking about an OLD kit but I don't remember the manufacturer.

Goblin and Cherokee-D.

without a doubt, the Nike Ajax!!!!