Top 5 most desired low power rockets?

So I was wondering what some might consider the top 5 best model rockets. Could be design or style or just the way she flys but what would be your top 5 all time best most desired rockets LP

thanks in advance

Adam

Ive had one for awhile NIB. Got 4 other rockets needing finishing before moving on. Torn between starting this next or something larger in HPR. But for your asking question I vote the current Estes Odyssey.

jbsommerfeldt said:

Ive had one for awhile NIB. Got 4 needing finishing before moving on. Torn between starting this next or something larger in HPR. But for your asking question I vote the current Estes Odyssey.

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Definitely a sharp rocket !!! Thanks for your response.

Post a picture when you finish that one if you think of it.

as far as high power I had fun building the apogee zephyr really solid build by apogee Components

Going back to my days as a kid who poured over the Estes catalog:

Astron Trident
Mars Lander
Interceptor
Astron Farside-X
Orbital Transport


Tony

(didn't even have to think hard, they pretty much all just came back to me)

manixFan said:

Going back to my days as a kid who poured over the Estes catalog:

Astron Trident
Mars Lander
Interceptor
Astron Farside-X
Orbital Transport


Tony

(didn't even have to think hard, they pretty much all just came back to me)

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Oh nice classics for-sure!!! Great choices !!

Estes Omega/Cineroc
Cherokee-D
Astron Trident
Maxi Brute Hojo
Citation Patriot

An alternate would be the Magnum Payloader

Adam3836 said:

So I was wondering what some might consider the top 5 best model rockets. Could be design or style or just the way she flys but what would be your top 5 all time best most desired rockets LP

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Currently available (aka from Estes, and a few surviving others), or ever?

If currently available, then my list leans towards absurdly complicated and exotically finned:

• Tesla - Fliskits (not currently on their web site, but will rejoin soon) - https://www.ebay.com/itm/FLISKITS-T...272821?hash=item1ce0a940b5:g:qTYAAOSwM~deCnX2
• Semroc Mars Lander - https://www.erockets.biz/semroc-flying-model-rocket-kit-mars-lander-kv-54/
• Proxima Centauri - https://www.fliskits.com/WPRESS/product/proxima-centauri/
• Estes Interceptor - https://estesrockets.com/product/001250-interceptor/
• Estes Saturn V / Saturn 1B - https://estesrockets.com/apollo-saturn-1b/
  • -or- Apogee Saturn V Model - https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-5-Model-Rocket-Kits/Saturn-V-1-70th-Scale

If out of production (aka on eBay):

• Estes StrikeFighter #2015
• Estes Challenge Series Rocket SR-71 Blackbird #7003
  
• Estes DARK SILVER Flying Model Rocket Kit #7229
  
• FlisKits Flying Model Rocket Kit Borealis FLS FR008
• FlisKits Flying Model Rocket Kit Decim 8 FR011

Open up the Estes 2020 Catalog to any random page and put your finger on it, there you go.

LEO SPACE TRAIN
LOW BOOM SST

Sterling Silver
Checkmate

Multi-ROC
gyROC, sorry I mean TAZZ

do I only get 5?

For me, I tend to be unlike many (most?) other modelers as I prefer rockets (and R/C airplanes) that at least APPEAR to be scale, or "realistic". While I have built the Mars Lander and Astron Falcon (miss that one so much I just ordered and received the Semroc version of it... the "Hawk" to built while in quarantine).

I am currently finishing up an Aerotech ARCAS HV semi-scale sounding rocket, and Estes AGM 12-D Bullpup scale model (just needs final paint), plus I have Cherokee E, Black Brant II, and a Semroc "Omega" (formerly Estes) kits waiting in the wings to be built when my workbench is cleared off!

bronicabill said:

For me, I tend to be unlike many (most?) other modelers as I prefer rockets (and R/C airplanes) that at least APPEAR to be scale, or "realistic". While I have built the Mars Lander and Astron Falcon (miss that one so much I just ordered and received the Semroc version of it... the "Hawk" to built while in quarantine).

I am currently finishing up an Aerotech ARCAS HV semi-scale sounding rocket, and Estes AGM 12-D Bullpup scale model (just needs final paint), plus I have Cherokee E, Black Brant II, and a Semroc "Omega" (formerly Estes) kits waiting in the wings to be built when my workbench is cleared off!

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Funny you should mention scale looking rockets. While my list above are my favorite Estes rockets, my favorite scale Estes rockets are the Sandhawk and Black Brant, followed closely by the HoJo. But I read a ton of science fiction as a kid, so the futuristic models that Estes had really held my imagination. I'm sure like many, the Interceptor is my all time favorite. While a bear to build, once it had all those decals applied, it was exactly the dream machine of every 1960's kid.


Tony

Wow ok so yea all these are totally awesome it’s funny how everyone I read iam like ohhhh yea that’s great lol thanks for the feedback keep it going!

All ENERJET kits . . . ATHENA, AERO-DART, PTERODACTYL, NIKE-RAM, EGG CRATE, etc.
FSI kits, EOS, OSO, BLACK BRANT II
Estes - FARSIDE-X, Aslron SCRAMBLER,
Centuri - ORION, T-BIRD, MINI-DACTYL

GlenP said:

Open up the Estes 2020 Catalog to any random page and put your finger on it, there you go.

LEO SPACE TRAIN
LOW BOOM SST

Sterling Silver
Checkmate

Multi-ROC
gyROC, sorry I mean TAZZ

do I only get 5?

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Lol no way keep em coming 5 10 15 20 more lol

Estes Photon Disruptor
Estes Vigilante
Centuri Hummingbird

and I must admit, I really like the Estes Blender. But sized for 24mm.

Estes V2
Estes Mercury Redstone
Estes Saturn V
Estes Honest John
Estes Black Brandt

My childhood favorites:

Saturn V
Mercury-Redstone
Mongoose
Mean Machine
Comanche-3

Antares JS said:

My childhood favorites:...
Mercury-Redstone...

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Yeah, the original one where you had to make the tower from wooden dowels!

GlenP said:

Yeah, the original one where you had to make the tower from wooden dowels!

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Yep. If I recall correctly, the Mercury Redstone was a skill level 5 because of that darn tower!

GlenP said:

Yeah, the original one where you had to make the tower from wooden dowels!

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I still have calluses on my fingers from cutting through those dowels with an Exacto! But what a great rocket when done, really a true sense of accomplishment.


Tony

Without considering whether or not current production:

Estes X-Wing Fighter - got one with the Big Foot launch pad when they first came out, and flew it to pieces; recently got another on ebay
Estes Klingon Battle Cruiser - still have one limping along, and one unbuilt
Estes Orbital Transport - flew it until a cato claimed it; working on an upscale now
Estes Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper - flew it until lost; thinking about one of the MoreRockets.com upscales
Centuri SR-71 Blackbird - mine is STILL going strong

There are others I like a lot too, but I haven't seen any of these (aside from the OT) posted yet.

Black Brant
Saturn Ib
Arapahoe
Mars Snooper
Nike Ajax

Trident
Mars Lander
Saturn V
Explorer Aquarius
Mars Snooper

Just for their plain fun flying:

Cox Honest John (RTF, my first rocket)
Estes Bullpup
Dr Zooch Return to Flight Shuttle
Holverson Designs Tangent or Wicked Winnie
and lastly...
Rocketflite Fake Wulf

How did we get this far in the thread without an Alpha and a Big Bertha?!

My list, going way way back:

Estes Space Plane
Enerjet Hustler
Estes Mars Snooper
Estes or Centuri Saturn 1B
Centuri USS America

Centuri SSV Scorpion - PM me if you want to sell one!
Estes Nike Ajax
Estes Stike Fighter
Estes Stealth
Centuri Buck Rogers Starfighter

USS Atlantis
USS Andromeda
Alien Invader
Mars Snooper II
Der Red Max

Mini Engine Honorable Mentions:
Lynx
Puma
Scorpion

Great thread topic. Thanks. And a tough one to answer! I came back into the hobby several years ago as a BAR and rebuilt kits I either loved as a kid or kits I dreamed of building as a kid but never did. Using that as my criteria, here's my top 5 best kits:
Alpha. Original came with my starter kit. Brush painted it orange and white with the supplied Patra paint. Original is long gone. Built a replacement and lost it on the 1st flight. Rebuild is in the pile.
Nike-X. I still have the original, but it's unflyable. Rebuilt about 25 years ago when my boys were old enough to start flying. This one is still flying.
Maxi-Brute V-2. Couldn't have afforded this one on my own, but our school rocket club bought it for our Bi-centennial launch in 76, and I got tapped to build it. I've still got it, although in unflyable condition. I plan on using the original nose and tail cone to do a mid or high power rebuild someday.
Orbital Transport. My high water mark for building as a kid. Original is long gone. An Estes Classic kit is in the build pile.
Interceptor. Never built as a kid but certainly admired it. I think it is one of the definitive rockets of the late 60s, early 70s. I kitbashed a Cosmic Interceptor the wife gave me into an Interceptor-ish rocket. Flies great.

Honorable Mentions:
Falcon. Rebuilt with my boys about 20 years ago while stationed in Pensacola, FL. It decided not to circle on it's last flight and flew south across Perdido Key and into the Gulf. 2nd rebuild was lost in tall grass at a Memphis club launch. A Semroc Hawk kit is in the build pile.
Mars Lander. Admired as a kid but thought it was beyond my abilities and budget. Built the Semroc kit recently, and it flies great on composite 18mm D engines.

Alpha or Alpha III
Big Bertha
Mean Machine
Black Brant II
Saturn V

Culprit said:

How did we get this far in the thread without an Alpha and a Big Bertha?!

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Because everyone has them