Let's talk about the Estes Destination Mars: Mars Longship

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neil_w

neil_w

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It's on the "Coming Soon" page. It is pretty cool. I love the fin can design with the ring and the spars (wish I had come up with it, frankly). The decor is detailed and very nice looking. There are tons of details.

There appear to be a lot of custom plastic parts on this model. I thought that creating a new plastic mold was pricey and very carefully considered. I wonder if something has changed? Lots of the new models have seemingly a lot of new plastic molded parts. On the one hand, they make for interesting, more detailed models.

On the other hand.... why is this a "Beginner" (E2X) model? This would be a fantastic builder's model, even if plastic parts were used for some of the detail pieces. I have not much interest in it as an E2X.

On the gripping hand... it says wood fins, 6 hour build time, and water-slide decals. How is that a beginner model? I are so confused.

@hcmbanjo, have you built one yet? Can you clarify?

If this really is E2X, it is IMHO the most interesting E2X model they've ever made. If it is a builder's kit, on the other hand, I might just get one.

UPDATE: Estes told me it's supposed to be Advanced/Skill Level 3 and they will be making the correction.

ESTES_IMG_Product_MarsLongship_7296_SideFlame_1000x1000px_Web.jpg
 
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If it still in the "coming Soon" section of the catalog, I doubt that anyone has built it yet, as it is not yet been released.
It does look cool though.
 
I'm wondering if it might be 3D printed instead of molded plastic parts?
That seems to be the trend now.
And the higher end printers don't have the micro ridges that I abhor sanding down.
 
neil_w said:
It's on the "Coming Soon" page. It is pretty cool. I love the fin can design with the ring and the spars (wish I had come up with it, frankly). The decor is detailed and very nice looking. There are tons of details.

There appear to be a lot of custom plastic parts on this model. I thought that creating a new plastic mold was pricey and very carefully considered. I wonder if something has changed? Lots of the new models have seemingly a lot of new plastic molded parts. On the one hand, they make for interesting, more detailed models.

On the other hand.... why is this a "Beginner" (E2X) model? This would be a fantastic builder's model, even if plastic parts were used for some of the detail pieces. I have not much interest in it as an E2X. But it says 6 hour build time,

On the gripping hand... it says wood fins, 6 hour build time, and water-slide decals. How is that a beginner model? I are so confused.

@hcmbanjo, have you built one yet? Can you clarify?

If this really is E2X, it is IMHO the most interesting E2X model they've ever made. If it is a builder's kit, on the other hand, I might just get one.
ESTES_IMG_Product_MarsLongship_7296_SideFlame_1000x1000px_Web.jpg
Click to expand...

I see what you mean on every point Neil....Looking at the photo, It looks like the nozzle on the aft end is the Estes Shuttle booster nozzle, which would make it a BT-50 size kit. IS IT? I does look pretty cool! It does have a ton of plastic...but that is okay. So does a lot of models. I wonder how it all goes together. Looks like the nose cone all the way down past the blue "side pods" is one long unit (nose cone). If the bottom is likewise a "single unit" attached to the body tube....then it would be an easy build. But it DOES say...balsa fins....I too am confused. I DO like it though...I like the colors too. I just may build it AS IS and NOT change it!!! Which is a big deal for me!! HA HA!
Andrew
 
Estes customer just responded to my inquiry and said that it is supposed to be "Advanced" (skill level 3) and they are in the process of correcting it.

Well that is certainly more sensible. Now I can officially say: AWESOME MODEL!
 
I am eagerly awaiting one of the Longships, and to putting either an Q-jet or Aerotech D engine in it and really sending it high. :)
 
Oh my, it IS a builder’s kit. I’m very pleased and now it’s on my list to buy...

...so it can sit in the pile of half a dozen other cool sci-fi rocket kits I haven’t built yet. :cool:
 
It is pretty cool looking, but I have a lot in the to do pile myself ;)
 
I had the same thought. I'm sure John Boren did too. :) Nothing wrong with that!

Y'know, now that it's officially a builder's kit, I'm not so sure which bits are plastic. The nose assembly almost certainly is, but those details on the body near the fins could be fabricated somehow. We shall see.
 
Well I love it....this along with the new Space-Train, I am really looking forward to building these new ones! Oh, and dont forget the Door Knob.....wow good times.
Andrew
 
Let’s hope it has
neil_w said:
It has a 24mm mount.
Click to expand...
sounds like Estes is finally getting it! Too many previous models were at best borderline with 18mm mounts (at least for Estes motors—— guessing they weren’t to thrilled about selling Estes rockets which flew better with Quest 18mm composite Ds)

Anyway, good for Estes!
 
neil_w said:
I had the same thought. I'm sure John Boren did too. :) Nothing wrong with that!

Y'know, now that it's officially a builder's kit, I'm not so sure which bits are plastic. The nose assembly almost certainly is, but those details on the body near the fins could be fabricated somehow. We shall see.
Click to expand...

Since we’ve seen a fair number of John Boren’s designs make ample use of laser cut parts I’m guessing those detail bits are made up of stacked/glued laser cut fiberboard. Much more cost effective than having molds made for plastic parts - unless they’re mass produced 3D printed, if that’s something that’s done?

Even if the Longship had turned out to be an E2X kit I’d have bought one anyway just for the nose “sphere” ;)
 
neil_w said:
@hcmbanjo, have you built one yet? Can you clarify?
If this really is E2X, it is IMHO the most interesting E2X model they've ever made. If it is a builder's kit, on the other hand, I might just get one.
UPDATE: Estes told me it's supposed to be Advanced/Skill Level 3 and they will be making the correction.
Click to expand...

Hi Neil,
I haven't seen this one yet, I'm also very curious.
I've built just about all the "Coming Soon" models, but I won't post details until the kit is officially released for sale.

The Leo Space Train is now for sale! The build will be on my blog in a few days after I finish up the Quest FLV.
 
Actually I was inspired be the nose section of the Searcher from the Buck Rogers TV Show. The Body tube is a BT-55. The Tail Cone Nozzle is a new blow mold and the cargo containers towards the rear are new injection molded parts. There are many laser cut card stock parts and the outer large ring is 4" in Dia.

John Boren
 

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JumpJet said:
Actually I was inspired be the nose section of the Searcher from the Buck Rogers TV Show. The Body tube is a BT-55. The Tail Cone Nozzle is a new blow mold and the cargo containers towards the rear are new injection molded parts. There are many laser cut card stock parts and the outer large ring is 4" in Dia.

John Boren
Click to expand...

That’s a fascinating bit of insight! First season of Buck Rogers was on during my senior year of high school so, yeah, between Erin Gray and Pamela Hensley, plus the occasional “babe of the week” guest stars and all the cool spacecraft I watched every episode. To busy with life after high school for the second season so I don’t recall the Searcher...
 
You didn't miss much not seeing the second season. First season was good.

John Boren
 
Thanks for checking in, John. It's a fantastic design.

While you're here, got any pics of the Low-Boom SST that actually show what it looks like? The pics on the website are from angles that really don't show it well.
 
This should shed some light on what it really looks like.

John Boren
 

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The Longship *and* the SST are great looking models, I look forward to seeing them in person. Nice work, John!
 
I have to start saving up some extra cash for when these cool kits come out!!
 

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