The Estes Mini-Brute Hornet Rides Again....

OK, here it is…My first foray into BAR-dom. This is the restoration and revitalization of my first ever model rocket from 1973,
the Estes Mini-Brute Hornet.
Since this model will have spanned my entire model rocket ‘career’, it’s been designated as the official flagship of the fleet. As such, I have placed number decals on each of the fins, designating my old NAR number (25180), and the Nar section I used to belong to (331).

OK, so if this was my first model, why is it number 13? Glad you asked…

This rocket was purchased already built by the owner of the local hobby store who had it on display. Along with this model, I recall purchasing a Mosquito kit and a Starblazer kit (the old K-31 version).
I didn’t begin sequence-numbering my rocket collection until I had about a dozen builds under my belt. For some odd reason, the Hornet got inserted at # 13….

This model was one of two that I kept when I dropped out of the hobby in 1984. It spent all of the intervening years rattling around in a RubberMaid tote with a lot of other stuff, getting pretty roached in the process.

The re-build consisted of:
Cutting and installing two new fins
Beefing up a loose payload section nose block,
Repairing and filling the old slit-tube shock cord mount
Sanding and finishing the main booster section
Installing a new shock cord and mount
Paint touch up on the white stripes
Priming
Painting
Applying decals – The ‘Hornet’ decal was made from a Dymo Labeler using clear labeling tape. A little thicker than I like, but it works. The numbers are dry transfer from pinewood derby decal sheets found at Hobby Lobby)
Applying ‘Gloss Sauce’ (Pledge w/Future and Simple Green)

This 43 year old model cleaned up pretty nice….


This is an old photo of the Hornet from 1975 or so....


As found in early May of this year....


The old-school slit tube shock cord mount.
This has gotta go....


A couple of new fins....


Primed and ready.....

Great job and welcome back! I never had the Mini Brute Hornet, but my cousin did get one back in the days (around 1970) and had me build it for him (he had no model building experience) before he dropped out of the hobby around 1971. I did adopt the basic design of the Hornet for one of my entry in the 13 mm Streamer Duration event in NAR Sanctioned competition during those days. I also still have a number of models bought and built as far back as 1969 (when I started in the hobby) that exists today and some are even in active flight status.

Put in a fresh composite motor and you will have a resto-mod rocket. Just like an old muscle car.

Good thought on the composites...but, my plan for this bird is to attain that magical 100 flights. It flew 16 times between 1973 and 1981, so I've got 84 more to go. I'll probably stick to 1/2A BP engines and streamer recovery for all of this, so that I can pretty much assure that it won't get easily lost.

Very nice work. Always great to see something that harks of the old days!

Cool, it's great to bring an old classic back to life. Welcome back, but beware, the BAR bug bites hard!