What rocket kit(s) are you putting off buying and would kick yourself if it goes OOP?

Man, the rocket selections nowadays are almost irresistible to me and while I am somewhat financially in good shape (likely more than financially responsible when it comes to rocket purchases), I realize that I simply can't just buy everything I want.

Every once in a while I see kits that I wish I had a chance to buy, but are no longer available (ex. Estes 2157 Saturn V or Shuttle with boosters). Also I've managed to buy a few cool kits last year or so that seem to no longer be available already (ex. Morerockets Super Viper, Estes Mean Machine with plastic locking coupler).

So my question is what rocket kit(s) have you been putting off buying for whatever reason and would if it was suddenly OOP (Out of Production)? (Any type, from micro to full size and beyond!)

KidRockET said:

None...

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Yeah...with well over 200 unbuilt kits, I can't say that I have successfully put off many purchases over the last 3 years. I can think of a few, though. A Polecat Mercury Redstone and 2 LOC Doorknobs (to make one two-stage) come to mind. I always have my eyes open for interesting OOP stuff as well.

Cheers,
Michael

KidRockET said:

None...

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That is the definition of bliss...that or being easy to satisfy.

I believe in that theory that once basic needs are met, desires turn to higher needs and wants...get a car, you want a sports car, get a sports car, you want a plane, get a plane, you want a rocket, get all the rockets and you're KidRockEt or iqsy59. lol

iqsy59 said:

Yeah...with well over 200 unbuilt kits, I can't say that I have successfully put off many purchases over the last 3 years. I can think of a few, though. A Polecat Mercury Redstone and 2 LOC Doorknobs (to make one two-stage) come to mind. I always have my eyes open for interesting OOP stuff as well.

Cheers,
Michael

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I think I'm where you are with the number of kits - I started with 1 starter kit from a Chain Hobby store about 2 years ago, started buying up Estes kits, moved on to Quest and specialty, now i'm up to looking for fiberglass 38mm and onwards and I find new offerings almost daily (which is both good and bad).

Estes Conquest & Cosmic Interceptor come to mind. I'm kicking myself for not buying a second D-Region Tomahawk, having lost the first on its first flight to the tree gods...

Here's one on my drool list: Hangar 11 or Performance Hobbies 6" X-15 (6" diameter!).

Those small run specialty kits (like Sheri's rockets) tend to come and go more often than mainstream offerings.

EXPjawa said:

Estes Conquest & Cosmic Interceptor come to mind. I'm kicking myself for not buying a second D-Region Tomahawk, having lost the first on its first flight to the tree gods...

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YES! I had put off buying both those until one day I said I'd kick myself if they stopped making it (one of the Estes heads wasn't happy that no one had reviewed the Conquest on their site almost a year after it was released), so I bought both not too long ago. The Cosmic Interceptor is on sale at this time at Tower ($19.60) and Hobbylinc ($21.89).

More:

TLP Nike Hercules & Pershing (I want to collect all the Launch pad kits, but these two are the ones I haven't gotten yet)

personally, none. I do a fair bit of scratch building, so doing a clone is no big leap. Decals are about the only really hard part.. JimZ's site (if it's still around, haven't checked in a loooong time!!) is a definite help, but certain nose cones offer more of a challenge..

The ACME spitfire would be a loss, only because of the engineering that went into that one!

Binder Design Velociraptor (Sure, I could clone it, but it wouldn't be the same).

I buy a lot of OOP models on ebay.

Painkiller Micro. That rocket looks damn sexy and I want one in my fleet, but the time isn't right for a build yet.

I am pretty annoyed because I lost a gorgeous Badazz Defender to a negligent CATO (I put an o-ring in the wrong place) right before Eric closed shop

I'd also be rather annoyed if the Mini Magg (coming up soon on my wishlist) went OOP, but that happening would really surprise me

Estes Orbital Transport.... whoops....

dr wogz said:

The ACME spitfire would be a loss, only because of the engineering that went into that one!

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Agreed! I have maybe 4 of them in kit form, 2 of them built and one of which is modified for Break-apart recovery with my namesake strapped on. I've noticed less and less interest/updates on it as well (recently went to an old hobby store and saw just a few rockets left in a pile and that was one of them).

Here's my modified ACME Spitfire:

Steven said:

I buy a lot of OOP models on ebay.

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I do too, but you can sometimes buy two or more available ones for the price of one OOP. I got two Estes Mean Machines for less than $20 each last year and now they're selling for twice that. I would've kicked myself if I missed that one (happened to notice it was stopping production and bought two just as stores were selling out).

Zeroignite said:

Painkiller Micro. That rocket looks damn sexy and I want one in my fleet, but the time isn't right for a build yet.

I am pretty annoyed because I lost a gorgeous Badazz Defender to a negligent CATO (I put an o-ring in the wrong place) right before Eric closed shop

I'd also be rather annoyed if the Mini Magg (coming up soon on my wishlist) went OOP, but that happening would really surprise me

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Yup, I was just looking at the Painkiller as recently as yesterday! I have also been lamenting the current MIA Badazz kits (I have two of the Defenders...I saw Performance Hobbies had it a few weeks ago, but now OOS). Agree with the Mini Magg...want one and plan to eventually get one, but haven't yet.

Wow, you guys are reading my mind!

Right Wing Wacko said:

Estes Orbital Transport.... whoops....

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LOL! Start thy kicking!

dr wogz said:

personally, none. I do a fair bit of scratch building, so doing a clone is no big leap. Decals are about the only really hard part.. JimZ's site (if it's still around, haven't checked in a loooong time!!) is a definite help, but certain nose cones offer more of a challenge..

The ACME spitfire would be a loss, only because of the engineering that went into that one!

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JimZ is still up and running. I use it a lot.

Nothin really.

I am sitting on or in process on ten kits or so. I have little time to build so those will get done when they do.

I wish I would of had cash for a Dynacom/Air-x back in the day. Ditto for a Shadow Shock. Alas I did not have the funds so I did not buy.

None.

But there is one I DID wait until too late on, and that has subsequently caused a fair amount of self-kicking..............Eric's Space Cowboy.

s6

stealth6 said:

None.

But there is one I DID wait until too late on, and that has subsequently caused a fair amount of self-kicking..............Eric's Space Cowboy.

s6

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Yup...that's one I should have bought, for certain. I thought of one more that I wish I had bought: a True Modeler's Rocket Kits Aries "Fat Albert" scale kit.

Cheers,
Michael

Went to the "High Desert Bikes and Hobbies" today and bought a Estes Interceptor and a Estes Mean Machine with the twist lock. I saw these OOP rockets in this store months ago, but passed them up. After reading this thread the other day, I went back to the store today and bought them. The owner says that people come in to buy the bicycles and don't know they sell rockets which have been sitting on the shelves for years. Now I don't have to kick myself this time.

JERRYR708 said:

Went to the "High Desert Bikes and Hobbies" today and bought a Estes Interceptor and a Estes Mean Machine with the twist lock. I saw these OOP rockets in this store months ago, but passed them up. After reading this thread the other day, I went back to the store today and bought them. The owner says that people come in to buy the bicycles and don't know they sell rockets which have been sitting on the shelves for years. Now I don't have to kick myself this time.

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Nice Find! I was lucky to get both those just before they disappeared. With Estes, who knows when they'll come back...tomorrow or two decades. I flew the Mean Machine last month on an E9 and it was fantastic! Announcer said it was the most beautiful Mean Machine he's seen yet (attributes it to there being almost no wind at that moment). I even had two people telling me to launch it again...first I've ever been asked this and this was coming from a big HP crowd! Of note is that I've read that the MM can get warped if left out in the sun (may explain why the announcer hadn't seen many good flights), so I left mine dismantled in a long box until I was ready to fly. Enjoy!

Thoust hast saved thyself from a kicking!

Already happened...I put off buying a Dynacom Python back in the day....still regret it.
That aft boat tail and metal ring were cool.
https://www.rocketreviews.com/dynacom-python-john-coker.html


Guess I could get a Giant Leap Talon and be almost as happy.

I got them for 24.99 ea. They were collecting dust and he just wanted to move them. I've been to 2 large events and never seen the MM in action. Glad to know that this is a great flier. Thanks for the tip to keep it dismantled away from the sun. First time ever seeing the MM was on a shelf in K-Mart when I was 9 years old. I was only able to afford a Mosquito, Yankee or Wizard. Can't believe I would own one after all these years. Now I don't want to open it, so that I can see it the way I knew of it as a child...in that beautiful package with all those tubes.

JERRYR708 said:

Now I don't want to open it, so that I can see it the way I knew of it as a child...in that beautiful package with all those tubes.

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That's why I often buy two (or more) of any kit I really like or think are really cool. One to fly and one as back up or to collect/nuzzle next to.

I'm a rocket junkie...gimmie my rockets and leave me alone! ...I keep needing a bigger fix...gotta check with the Wildman...what can I sell for more rocket money.....gotta get more rocket...:drool:

I buy 2 of everything to, but was lucky just to get 1 of each at that hole in the wall store. 2 Mercury Red Stone rockets just arrived at my door yesterday. If I bought 2, the shipping would be the same. Nothing like picking up a collectible/soon to be collectible rocket sealed in the original bag or box with the will power not to open it. Thank God I sleep like a log and don't roll over my rockets and smash the tubes.

JERRYR708 said:

I buy 2 of everything to, but was lucky just to get 1 of each at that hole in the wall store. 2 Mercury Red Stone rockets just arrived at my door yesterday. If I bought 2, the shipping would be the same. Nothing like picking up a collectible/soon to be collectible rocket sealed in the original bag or box with the will power not to open it. Thank God I sleep like a log and don't roll over my rockets and smash the tubes.

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Rocket junkies sleep with cardboard tubes instead of in cardboard boxes.

"Honest mom...that isn't a cardboard bong!" lol

iqsy59 said:

Yeah...with well over 200 unbuilt kits, I can't say that I have successfully put off many purchases over the last 3 years. I can think of a few, though. A Polecat Mercury Redstone and 2 LOC Doorknobs (to make one two-stage) come to mind. I always have my eyes open for interesting OOP stuff as well.

Cheers,
Michael

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I can scratch one of the two off of the list. I've been monitoring the Polecat site for awhile and they had 2 Redstones showing in their inventory. Well...I checked in again today and somebody must have gotten one for Father's Day because the inventory was down to one. Obviously, I couldn't risk the last one selling and having to kick myself and wait for another run!
:wink:

I may replace the Redstone with their 7.5" Thumper with 5x54mm cluster mount, though...

Cheers,
Michael