Vintage Estes

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ajaerospace

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Does anyone know a good place to find and buy Estes out of production kits? I've used ebay before, but is there anywhere else more, well, retail-like? Thanks.
 
there are companies that make clones of Estes and Centuri kits and also companies that make parts packs or instructions/decals for the kits that they could not get permission to fully clone.

https://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/default.asp

https://www.semroc.com/Store/scripts/Information.asp

Originally posted by ajaerospace
Does anyone know a good place to find and buy Estes out of production kits? I've used ebay before, but is there anywhere else more, well, retail-like? Thanks.
 
Finding 'OOP' Estes kits will nprobabkly be a hard thing, as I doubt you'll find any 'retail' place taht has kept a few. Stores typically wan tto move teh product as fast as possible.

E-bay is probably your best bet..

Unless you wish to clone / scratch build some. Then this site is for you!

https://www.dars.org/jimz/estes.htm

Al the kits produced by Estes over the years, all with instrctions, and some with fin templates, and decal files, to print your own!

I think we all love Jim Z's site!
 
Discount Rocketry has been selling a small selection of OOP kits, although they are kinda pricey.

If you want something retail, try to find an out-of-the-way, low traffic hobby store. It's amazing what you can find in places like that. I once found a small hobby shop in Massachusetts that had over a dozen old OOP Estes balsa nose cones and transitions. Naturally, I bought them all, no questions asked! ;)
 
Most now are on ebay, becarful though, some 25-30 year old kits seem to have plastic bags that are way to clear for the age! I think some are BS since there is money tyo be made!
Try garage sales & small flea markets also!
Aron
 
Originally posted by Dr Wogz
Unless you wish to clone / scratch build some. Then this site is for you!

https://www.dars.org/jimz/estes.htm

Al the kits produced by Estes over the years, all with instrctions, and some with fin templates, and decal files, to print your own!

I think we all love Jim Z's site!
JimZ does not have ALL of the kits Estes produced. He has many, but not all. To find OOP plans from a wide range of manufacturers, plus many Estes plans not found on JimZ, visit Ye Olde Rocket Plans at https://plans.rocketshoppe.com.

To find a list of all Estes and Centuri kits ever produced along with the years they were available, visit one of my other sites, Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe at https://www.rocketshoppe.com. Once there, click on the Kit Lists link.
 
Originally posted by ajaerospace
Does anyone know a good place to find and buy Estes out of production kits? I've used ebay before, but is there anywhere else more, well, retail-like? Thanks.

Check out the auction at rocketryonline.com

I've encouraged sellers on eBay to go there also, since eBay doesn't let you sell engines.
 
Great Lakes Hobbies and Commonwealth.Net both have some OOP kits.

but as noted above, your best bet is cloning ... enjoy!!
 
There are some clone kits for sale now on ebay.
I have a few & they were close to the original one but for a few upgrades.
Aron
 
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