It's a larger version.This is the same one I have on the cover of the 1970 Catalog?!
Yeah, I figured they would upscale- increases the margin, and differentiates it from the original. I am new to the hobby, after getting into it 50 some odd years ago. But, $49.99 seems a bit steep. Maybe it is a great flyer, though.It's a larger version.
The online discount price from Belleville, AC Supply, etc will probably be closer to $35.00.Yeah, I figured they would upscale- increases the margin, and differentiates it from the original. I am new to the hobby, after getting into it 50 some odd years ago. But, $49.99 seems a bit steep. Maybe it is a great flyer, though.
Oh man, that’s not their normal 40% discount.The online discount price from Belleville, AC Supply, etc will probably be closer to $35.00.
I was making a general WAG at the price but yes, if ACS uses their typical discount the price will be closer to $30.00.Oh man, that’s not their normal 40% discount.
Instant buy the moment it's available.
I thought the nosecone in the catalog image looked a little too "pointy" compared to the original kit, but if it's upscaled that would explain it being slightly different.
If you purchase it retail they are not cheap. However whenever I get an order planned I just go for $100+ and then go to AC Supply. The discount is around 35% which is about wholesale pricing and with the $100+ shipping is free. They have always been honest and reasonably fast. That way I am not priced out of the hobby. I am going to pick this one up along with the larger Mars Snooper once this arrives.Yeah, I figured they would upscale- increases the margin, and differentiates it from the original. I am new to the hobby, after getting into it 50 some odd years ago. But, $49.99 seems a bit steep. Maybe it is a great flyer, though.
Now that you mention that I have to ask as I simply don't recall when I built my first around 1970, was it cut your own using templates? It probably was and back when I was young I didn't hesitate. These days I might if I had to cut all those parts for a Transport. I actually built a scaled up one based on a BT-60 main tube around 1974 but never completed it or painted it unfortunately so it never flew. Got the main parts built and assembled and for whatever reason stopped there. Back then I was not going to be able to get custom decals so I think that realizing without decals it would be pretty bland I gave up.I have a 75% downscale (BT20) in early assembly, and I was planning on doing the 136% (BT55) after that. I already have all of the parts that I need for the upscale, including custom nose cones and Tango Papa decals.
But I still might buy the new Estes upscale (which will be 136%ish) anyway just to thank them for making this kit... and laser-cut balsa will be way easier than cutting all that lumber by hand.
The original K-42/#1242 Orbital Transport had un-cut balsa sheets and a card stock sheet with the templates. You had to cut out the templates, trace them on the balsa sheets, and then cut out the balsa. But the shapes were all very basic (no curves or complex angles). This makes it easy to upscale and downscale without ordering custom laser-cut balsa. It is just a lot of cutting, but straightforward.Now that you mention that I have to ask as I simply don't recall when I built my first around 1970, was it cut your own using templates? It probably was and back when I was young I didn't hesitate. These days I might if I had to cut all those parts for a Transport. I actually built a scaled up one based on a BT-60 main tube around 1974 but never completed it or painted it unfortunately so it never flew. Got the main parts built and assembled and for whatever reason stopped there. Back then I was not going to be able to get custom decals so I think that realizing without decals it would be pretty bland I gave up.
The Orbital Transport is such a great design. Clean lines, great decals, complex shape... and a glider!
Now I don’t feel bad about losing my Semroc.
I live in Florida and used to go up to the annual Bunnell Blast on a sod farm for a number of years until the got kicked off. There was a guy, Steve, who had a very large Orbital Transport he built many years ago. He would fly it almost every year. Up close it was rather beaten up and not the greatest craftsmanship but it always impressed. He was still flying the last time I saw it about 4 years ago.The original K-42/#1242 Orbital Transport had un-cut balsa sheets and a card stock sheet with the templates. You had to cut out the templates, trace them on the balsa sheets, and then cut out the balsa. But the shapes were all very basic (no curves or complex angles). This makes it easy to upscale and downscale without ordering custom laser-cut balsa. It is just a lot of cutting, but straightforward.
Estes did a rerelease as #1259, which had a plastic nose cone, but that still had un-cut balsa sheets. Semroc brought it back with lasers-cut sheets, and then eRockets introduced a version with a thicker booster body tube.
I also built a BT-60 168% upscale (that is it in my thumbnail photo). Unfortunately, the booster crashed a few years ago. But I am planning on rebuilding it with a 29mm motor mount. This will allow it to fly with Estes E15-4 motors, and the 29mm tube is a more accurate upscale of the original BT-20 motor tube.
The Orbital Transport is such a great design. Clean lines, great decals, complex shape... and a glider!
I live in Florida and used to go up to the annual Bunnell Blast on a sod farm for a number of years until the got kicked off. There was a guy, Steve, who had a very large Orbital Transport he built many years ago. He would fly it almost every year. Up close it was rather beaten up and not the greatest craftsmanship but it always impressed. He was still flying the last time I saw it about 4 years ago.
He has/had that large Mars Lander too. I've seen it go straight up and also seen it arc over with a soft impact. Here are both in flight.Steve's been flying that OT for years when I flew with Spaceport Rocketry (2007-2009) it had crashed many times already. He used to advertise it as the shortest flight you'll ever see on a J. I don't think it's a lack of craftsmanship but dedication to keeping a favorite rocket flying.
Has anyone heard when it is going to be released. It is getting towards later summer and I am planning on picking this up along with the Super Mars Snooper from AC when it is released. I had both of these standard sized models back in the late '60s when I started flying so they will be cool nostalgia builds even if not the originals but BIGGER sizes. Estes of course will release high quality products. I think though the nose cones, multiple cones on the Mars Snooper, will likely be plastic which works but I still rather prefer balsa.
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