Leo Space Train available from Estes

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That's my favorite of the new ones that have been released recently. Really nice paint scheme and decals. Looking forward to your build.

I note that most of the other new models are now on the "Coming Soon" page as well, including the Low-Boom SST (I *still* can't quite figure out what that one looks like; waiting for some good pictures from different angle).
 
neil_w said:
That's my favorite of the new ones that have been released recently. Really nice paint scheme and decals. Looking forward to your build.

I note that most of the other new models are now on the "Coming Soon" page as well, including the Low-Boom SST (I *still* can't quite figure out what that one looks like; waiting for some good pictures from different angle).
Click to expand...

That is my favorite of the new set as well! Will surely get one or two. This also looks like an upscale candidate. Like BT70 - BT-80. I like this kit before even seeing getting one!
Andrew
 
Estes has really messed me up. My interest has been with scale looking rockets.
Now they come out with all these fantasy types which look super cool.
 
Great to see Estes releasing new kits inspired by actual vehicles currently in development. Sure, they may be fantasy, but not too far removed from reality. They tell the story behind them in the new catalog really well too. Those were the type of kits that always sparked my interest and imagination, and left me wanting to learn more about the real birds.

I am just waiting for an email from AC Supply when they get the LEO Space Train in stock. They already had the MAV in stock. Then I will have to decide what other kits or engines I want to bundle with it to get free shipping...seems like a good time to grab a Boosted Bertha too.
 
KILTED COWBOY said:
Estes has really messed me up. My interest has been with scale looking rockets.
Now they come out with all these fantasy types which look super cool.
Click to expand...


Pretty sure the Leo Space-Train is copy of this... https://www.space.com/boeing-withdraws-darpa-military-space-plane.html
Which is pretty darn cool. Too Bad they canceled the program. I hope Estes comes out with more real-world looking kits. Would love to see very close approximations of stuff from ULA, ESA, Orbital ATK, JAXA, Space-X etc. Lots of possibilities.
Andrew
 
The masking on that kit looks to be a little too challening for me. :(
 
Bill S said:
The masking on that kit looks to be a little too challenging for me. :(
Click to expand...

If you were to match the face card illustration, the masking is a challenge.
I painted like color assemblies separately before gluing it all together.
There was some paint scraping and paint masking to get goods glue bond.
The finished model is impressive.

www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com
 
I just ordered two. Also, if you look at the kit card/art....it looks like the style they use for the Hobby Lobby kits. Interesting....I wonder if Hobby Lobby will have this kit? OR maybe Estes is doing a style change on their kit cards. Either way...I like it all (old and new style). I am also looking forward to building this kit (when I am done with the Estes Shuttle). I really like The new stuff from Estes lately. :)

Andrew
 
I think they are, generally, changing the face card style. The MAV and the Tazz both have the same face card style as well. Neither of these is a Hobby Lobby kit.
 
I just received my Leo Space Train kit. Looks like a fun build. Like others who said it before.....the paint masking looks tough! I am glad I got two kits....just in case I REALLY mess up my first attempt.

I really like the new kits from Estes....well done. It is sure a fun day when a new kit comes in the mail....fun times and simple pleasures.
Andrew
 
One more thing.....Even if one doesn't follow the paint scheme exactly.....it is still a very sharp kit..
 
Did he ever get a start on this kit?

I just got one and wow it is an involved build!

I was wondering one thing. Some of the balsa parts have panel lines burned into them. I usually paper my fins. Will you still see the panel lines through the paper? If you sand it too much will the lines sand away?
 
Tom said:
Did he ever get a start on this kit?

I just got one and wow it is an involved build!

I was wondering one thing. Some of the balsa parts have panel lines burned into them. I usually paper my fins. Will you still see the panel lines through the paper? If you sand it too much will the lines sand away?
Click to expand...
Read Chris Michielssen's build thread (Here)
 
Greg Furtman said:
I wonder how can AC Supply sell them for $10 less than Estes. That's amazing.
Click to expand...
Nothing mysterious. Estes sells them at retail price, while AC Supply sells them at a small markup to wholesale price, which is probably somewhere around 1/2 of retail.

Needless to say, Estes makes more money when you buy directly from them, although it does incur more overhead to fulfill individual orders.
 
There is several items in the "Coming Soon" section that is directly related to the future Mar's Missions.
It would not surprise me if the "Mars Snooper" made a come back sometime in the near future.
At least I hope it does. It was one of those kits I wanted has a youngster, but never could afford.
I especially like the Long Ship, and description of it's use in relation to the Mars Missions I found unique.
I know for sure I'll be getting the Leaping Man Jet Pack!
Mini Engines, Low altitude, Just what an old cripple like me needs.
Especially since I lost my big farm pastures to launch in.
Estes, IMHO, has gained significant momentum with the new owners.
Can't thank them enough for buying, saving and advancing Estes.
I wish them well deserved success!
 
aerostadt said:
This kit tends to remind me of the Quest Aerospace Shuttle Intrepid, which has a parasite glider.
Click to expand...
Yeppers, that's what I thought as well as the Centuri/Semroc Space Shuttle:
https://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/RocketKits.asp?SKU=KV-38
The original plan for the Space Shuttle was a winged carrier booster piggybacking an Orbiter. Both would glide back and land on a runway and be reusable. Budgetary constraints led to the SRB/Fuel tank/Orbiter final configuration.
While hindsight is 20/20, perhaps if the original configuration had been built we could have avoided the two shuttle tragedies.
And the shuttle would still be flying today.
We'll never know.
 
JumpJet said:
"Love the NEW Estes! Back to building again!"

Where have you been, Estes has been producing all kinds of new Higher Skill Level Builder kits for the past 10 years.

John Boren
Click to expand...

Having followed Estes since I was a kid in the sixties, I can say from an outsider's perspective that the latest catalog, with its Destination Mars and Space Corps themes, returns to an optimistic vision of the future that I have sorely missed. Which is not to say there have not been cool science fiction / speculative designs over the years - there have, and we probably have Mr. Boren to thank for that. Thank you! And... and... this still feels like a breath of fresh air. Keep them coming, keep reminding us that we can have a future as a space faring civilization. The first step is imagining it.
 
JumpJet said:
"Love the NEW Estes! Back to building again!"

Where have you been, Estes has been producing all kinds of new Higher Skill Level Builder kits for the past 10 years.

John Boren
Click to expand...

I think the sentiment many of us feel is not that Estes has gone anywhere or been lacking in the recent years, but rather we are grateful and relieved that Estes remains the stalwart of our hobby through the period of uncertainty during the Hobbico bankruptcy and subsequent sale.

Estes has always been great, and continues to be great, and is changing with the times, as it always has done, not only catering to the older experienced rocketeers, but inspiring a new generation of rocketeers. So, yes, we love the new Estes, and have always loved the old Estes. We can get back to building, without the worry of where will we get the next cool kit. Is that better?
 

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