Estes - Starship Vega Gallery

[Initiator001]

Estes made an attempt to get model rocketry into mass-market retailers in the early 1970s with their Citation line of products. These were five kits, a starter set and motors. All products were sold in boxes. I believe I saw them in a Woolworths store in the early 1970s.

This is an original 1974 vintage Citation Series Starship Vega I bought at the time but I didn't built it until 1985. Later versions of the Starship Vega were packaged in bags with some modifications and sold through hobby shops. From 1990-1993, Estes sold an upscale version of this design as the Super Vega.

 

[Micromeister]

It's funny I've never owned the standard 18mm Starship Vega. I have a Super Starship Vega and a Micro Starship Vega but the standard is still in the original package hanging on the wall.

 

[BobH48]

I do have a cardstock downscale for 13mm motors. The fins are 3 ply and if I had to do over I would add a couple extra thicknesses. I can see them flutter during flight but I haven't had one rip yet.

For that reason, I only fly it on 1/2A3-4T's. No A10-3T's for this model.

 

[dtomko]

Cloned with an Estes Wildfire(?) cone - I think that was the kit name. Same one in the SkyWriter. Decals from Excelsior. I used chrome TrimMonokote for the silver wrap and had Excelsior print the black stripes, which I applied over the chrome. This was back in the Phred days. Now you can get the chrome wrap from Excelsior. One of my favorite Estes designs.

Drew

 

[Dseter]

Built from scratch parts with decals from Mark at Stickershock. Flown twice on E9-4's using a 30 inch chute to try to avoid damage on the landing...

 

[Larry]

Just finished my Semroc Starship Vega(on the right). My Estes Starship Vega which I built in the 70s was rebuilt/refurbished in 2007. I probably won't fly the Estes one again, but can't wait to fly the new one.
Larry

 

[JAL3]

Welcome to the Estes Starship Vega (KC-4 or #0653) Gallery on TRF.

This gallery showcases the Estes Starship Vega (KC-4 or #0653) and those rockets derived from it. Particularly appropriate in this thread are the following:


Estes: Starship Vega: KC-4 or #0653
Estes: Starship Vega: #1320
Estes: Super Vega: #2036
MMWW: Micro Maxx Starship Vega: #268
Semroc: Starship Vega: KV-78



as well as any upscales, downscales, clones, kitbashes or other derivative works. Even Goonies qualify!

 

[JAL3]

Estes Starship Vega (KC-4 or #0653) Basic Information.

Estes Industries

MODEL NAME: Starship Vega Also known as: Vega, Citation Vega

NUMBER: KC-4 or #0653

Introduced: 1971
Final Year: 1974
Designer: Wayne Kellner

Type: Exotic
Motor Mount: 1x18mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length: 19.5"
Diameter: 0.976"
Span:
Weight: 1.88 oz

Mfg. Description: A look into tomorrow... deep space, interplanetary exploration vehicle. Great sport flying performance. Futuristic landing legs on rear fins. Complete with 3-color decal sheet, die cut fins and bright foil body wrap-on. Parachute (12") recovery system. (Estes 1971 Citation Catalog)

Advertising Liveries​

1971 Citation

1973

Face Card(s)​

Instruction Header(s)​

First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

 

[JAL3]

Estes Starship Vega (#1320) Basic Information.

Estes Industries

MODEL NAME: Starship Vega Also known as: Vega

NUMBER: #1320

Introduced: 1979
Final Year: 1983
Designer: Bruce Paton

Type: Exotic
Motor Mount: 1x18mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length: 19.5"
Diameter: 0.976"
Span:
Weight: 1.88 oz

Mfg. Description: Exotic planetary exploration vehicle featuring simulated landing shocks. Futuristically designed with realistic two color decals, die cut balsa fins, and quick release engine mount. A great performer with impressive lift-off and beautiful recovery via 12" chute. Science fiction styling gives this bird a real spaceship look. (Estes 1979 Catalog)

Advertising Liveries​

1979

1981

1982

1983

Face Card(s)​

Instruction Header(s)​

First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

 

[JAL3]

Estes Super Vega (#2036) Basic Information.

Estes Industries

MODEL NAME: Super Vega Also known as:

NUMBER: #2036

Introduced: 1990
Final Year: 1993
Designer:

Type: Exotic
Motor Mount: 1x24mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length: 28"
Diameter: 1.637"
Span:
Weight: 5.4 oz

Mfg. Description: Slow, thrilling lift-offs to heights beyond 250 feet make this large, exotic rocket one of your favorites. A 3/16 inch diameter Maxi launch rod is required for launch. (Estes 1990 Catalog)

Advertising Liveries​

1990

1993

Face Card(s)​

Instruction Header(s)​

First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

 

[JAL3]

MMWW (Estes) Starship Vega (#268) Basic Information.

McCoy's Micro Wonder Works

MODEL NAME: Micro Maxx Starship Vega Also known as:

NUMBER: #268

Introduced:
Final Year:
Designer: Wayne Kellner, John McCoy

Type: Exotic, Downscale
Motor Mount: 1x6mm
Recovery: Streamer
Stages: 1
Length: 5.875"
Diameter: 0.281"
Span:
Weight:

Mfg. Description:

Advertising Liveries​

Face Card(s)​

Instruction Header(s)​

First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

 

[JAL3]

Semroc Starship Vega (KV-78) Basic Information.

Semroc Astronautics

MODEL NAME: Starship Vega Also known as:

NUMBER: KV-78

Introduced: 2012
Final Year:
Designer: Wayne Kellner

Type: Exotic, Clone
Motor Mount: 1x18mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length: 20.4"
Diameter: 0.976"
Span: 9.0"
Weight: 1.3 oz

Mfg. Description: 1971 Retro Repro

Advertising Liveries​

Semroc 2012 Web Ad

Face Card(s)​

Instruction Header(s)​

First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also:
TRF Build Threads
SteveA

TRF Applicable Threads

LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.

 

[Steve York]

My Estes Super Vega. I had many, many flights on this model, and it survived a forward-closure CATO of an Estes D that ripped out the engine mount and shock cord. The sad, last photo shows it after an improper deployment (the ejection charge seems to have blown past the nylon chute that was installed). Really a great kit.

 

[draney13]

Here's my Starship Vega - SEMROC KV-78

 

[Fishhead]

 

[BABAR]

did it stick the landing?

 

[Fishhead]

did it stick the landing?

No, it came in kinda hot, swinging from side to side. One of the guys on the flightline caught it, but not before one of the big feet hit. Broke the leg off, but it should be easily fixable.

 

[BABAR]

Broke the leg off, but it should be easily fixable.

Something tells me that is a common occurrence with this puppy.

 

[prfesser]

Sadly, the Starship Vega is what got me out of rocketry in 1972. Recovering from an appendectomy and subsequent massive infection**, parents bought me the kit to keep me occupied. I spent SO long in bed, building it just so. Even painted it and applied decals, which wasn't a common occurrence for me. Launched it on a C6 motor. One of the new ones with a clay cap instead of paper retainer. Up...and down, lawn dart. I screamed, and quit rocketry. Until 1994.

Best -- Terry
**You do NOT want to watch as a surgeon plunges a pair of sharp scissors into the incision he made a week ago, and presses a cup of pus out of the abdomen. Scissors didn't hurt, actually. It was pressing around the incision that made me scream. Another week in hospital, and I was the center attraction for the nurses when they pumped peroxide into the hole. The subsequent fountain when they removed the syringe tip was clearly new and exciting...

 

[neil_w]

**You do NOT want to watch as a...

Actually, I did not even want to read about not wanting to watch it.

 

[BABAR]

Actually, I did not even want to read about not wanting to watch it.

I guess I get jaded being in medicine. I had more of a visceral reaction to the Vega augering in than the pus pockets

 

[Fishhead]

I guess I get jaded being in medicine. I had more of a visceral reaction to the Vega augering in than the pus pockets

If you had the nickname "Pus Pockets" in school, you were doing something wrong. It would make a great name for a punk band.

 

[neil_w]

Something tells me that is a common occurrence with this puppy.

Yeah, I can't help wondering if a Vega *ever* lands without taking off a leg. It's a classic, gorgeous design though.

 

[Big Red Rocketeer]

Flight of the Starship Vega...

 

[Huxter]

This is the Semroc version. One of my favorite rocket pics. My niece launching it (w her phone in her pocket!) Flew good. I do not remember a leg coming off? Used the stock 12 inch chute.