The hunt for Estes classic series rockets

[CoolRockets]

Hi everybody, I’ve been looking at the Estes classic series recently and I have noticed quite a lot of them. I want to try to collect them all (rocket Pokémon lol), but I don’t know how many, or what rockets are in the collection. If anyone can help that will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[samb]

So all the models with this logo and chevron, right?

I’m not sure if a separate list of these exist.

 

[Scott_650]

Here’s a screenshot from the 2010 catalog with the Classic Series kits, that’s the year according to the kit list maintained on Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe the #3031 Star Trooper debuted.

 

[SolarYellow]

Hmmm... I see what the Classic series was. I'd geek out for awhile deciding whether to collect the Estes kits, or really hunt down the original Centuri kits. Or just clone the old Centuri models.

 

[DocSeuss]

Here’s a screenshot from the 2010 catalog with the Classic Series kits, that’s the year according to the kit list maintained on Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe the #3031 Star Trooper debuted.

These are actually all the ones I remember under this label. I started typing out a list from the kits I have that I could remember, and then this. I don't see anything in my collection with that chevron that isn't already on this list. Dunno if that helps.

 

[CoolRockets]

Here’s a screenshot from the 2010 catalog with the Classic Series kits, that’s the year according to the kit list maintained on Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe the #3031 Star Trooper debuted.

Oh darn

 

[CoolRockets]

I think the screenshot is the full list.

 

[Fishhead]

Here’s a screenshot from the 2010 catalog with the Classic Series kits, that’s the year according to the kit list maintained on Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe the #3031 Star Trooper debuted.

Kind of shocked to find that the only one I never built was the Twister. I know I got in on the sale at the end of the year and made out like a bandit.

 

[samb]

Looks like a treasure hunt through the catalogs is your best bet @CoolRockets . Looks like a limited run of old Centuri models.

 

[Fishhead]

Weren't the Cosmic Explorer and Reflector part of this group?

 

[DocSeuss]

Weren't the Cosmic Explorer and Reflector part of this group?

Not on the face cards I have.

 

[neil_w]

So all the models with this logo and chevron, right?

I’m not sure if a separate list of these exist.

A pay raise was owed to whoever put "Over 7 inches tall!" on the face card. I would have gone with "Visible without a microscope!"

Made a brief attempt to locate the Centuri face card but couldn't find it.

 

[samb]

@neil_w

https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/centuri/cenKM-3/Centuri_Star_Trooper.pdf

 

[Fishhead]

@neil_w

https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/centuri/cenKM-3/Centuri_Star_Trooper.pdf

View attachment 603850

I kinda recognize that. I gave that scanner a run for the money. Between family photos and rocket plans and epherma, I ran it into the ground. Pretty good service for what I paid for it.
Never did build that kit. A very early eBay pickup.

 

[samb]

Forgot to add the attribution.

 

[Fishhead]

Forgot to add the attribution.

View attachment 603883

Not to worry. I thought I sent it to Scott, so I was going to head over and see if it was over there. I knew it was mine when I saw that ruler.

 

[SolarYellow]

I picked up a couple Estes Star Trooper kits for cheap, just to bash them into tiny Alphas with the ogive nose cone. The NC on the old Centuri kit is much closer to the long ogive cones in the Estes NC-5 kit.
https://estesrockets.com/products/nc-5-nose-cone-5-pkI didn’t realize the Star Trooper is actually a kind of interesting little rocket technically and historically. Now I’m planning to build the kits as Star Troopers with the longer NCs. No launch lugs, though. They’ll go up from the mini tower, and also look like a perfect candidate to try out piston launching.

And I’ll still have those ogive NCs around for something else. Maybe Alpha and Patriot…

 

[CoolRockets]

Looks like a treasure hunt through the catalogs is your best bet @CoolRockets . Looks like a limited run of old Centuri models.

It is