Favorite Estes Rocket

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#1271 Renegade - best looking rocket I had as a kid. Lost it and haven't been able to find an old kit out there like I've seen others.
Going to try to scratch build it 40 years later.

Also loved the Scorpion and Blue Bird Zero
:clapping:
If only there was a sim for those... ;)

Images link to my file thread.

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Alpha III.

It came out the year Estes began introducing more plastic parts in kits (Saros, Interceptor, etc.).

It's been in the Estes catalog since 1971.
 

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Sometimes Estes’s graphic design is what makes a great model. Take the Scorpion up there: simple rocket with rectangular plastic fins, yet with a killer decor it looks amazing.

(I think it looked even cooler in the catalog with what appeared to be a clear reduced-diameter section between the stages, ostensibly to make it look as if it was photographed mid-staging. It would be neat to actually build one that way!)
 
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It's hard to pick a favorite but here are several from my fleet....

Photon Disruptor...Origiinal #1282 and upscaled #3025
Colonial Viper #1310
Orbital Transport #701 - K42
Big Bertha #1948
Odyssey #1289
Starlab #1288
 
I was thinking about this again last night and looking at other models I like but that aren't the most flown in my fleet. The 3217 Vagabond would be one of those. And the Trident is another.
 
I flew my Skywinder until I could fly it no more.

(this is not my picture, I just grabbed one off google image search)

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Back when I was a kid and Troop 281 was visiting Argonia a bunch, I flew my Skywinder and my Bullpup a LOT.

I need to build a new Bullpup and Skywinder.

I always wanted the old Pro Series kits as a kid. Managed to track them all down now. Just gotta build 'em when I feel confident in my skills. The Maxi-Force is my favorite.

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These days, I'm in love with the Vagabond (3217), Space Transporter America, and Pro Series Prowler, which has perfect lines. I also really like the Ventris, which is very much in line with the Centuri Hustler, though I prefer the Semroc SLS Hustler the most.


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Sharon has an Estes Hiflier XL that is a great flier. She has 38 flights on it:
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My favorite is my Estes Argent. I modified it with an altimeter in the transition and usually fly it on an H115 Dark matter:
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I fly it often, usually first flight of the day as a wind dummy to about 2000 ft. It has 49 flights on it, built in 2013.
 
If the question had been MPC, it would be the Delta Katt.

For Estes I would say the Astron Invader, based on the number of clones, up scales and down scales, contest wins (second flights), and general flying fun.

I could also argue for the Saturn V, based on the number I have purchased, starting with two K-39 kits.

Other favorites include: Orbital Transport, Scissors Wing Transport, Black Hole, and Maxi Alpha.
 
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Goblin (original, clones, various upscales...)
Cherokee-D (clone, one of the best paint & decal jobs I've ever done, so of course it got damaged on its first flight)
Omega (always wanted to do something with this)
Nike Ajax (decades-long inspiration for a 1/4-scale 2-stage version (not an upscale of the Estes version, though))
V2 Maxi-Brute mit der Gezackte Tarnung (apologies to any German speakers!)
 
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