I hadn't planned on buying two Estes Photon Probe kits.
I picked up the older one on the left from Ebay pretty cheap.
This version #2043 was sold from 1991- 1993.
I was at Michael's yesterday buying engines with a 40% off coupon. I saw this new re-issue Photon Probe in a clearance bin. It was marked down to $7.99.
I though it'd be interesting to compare the two versions, the older U.S. made and the newer Chinese made kits.
The face cards showed the older model in white with pink trim, the newer was white and purple.
The older version could fly to 720 feet!
The new version could fly up to 575 feet.
The old version weighed in at 2.4 oz. and could fly with A8-3, B4-4, B6-4 and C6-5 engines.
The newer weighs 3.45 oz and flys with B4-4, B6-4 and C6-5 engines.
I don't see how the reissue kit could weigh an extra oz.
Inside the bag, there were differences.
The older kit is on the left, the newer on the right.
The older engine lock retaining ring was black.
The trim strips were balsa and are now basswood.
Fins and centering rings are now laser cut.
The older kit's BT-55 and launch lug were bent.
The old engine hook was spring steel and not easily bent. The new hook has the finger tab and when bent doesn't spring back flat.
In the next picture, again the older kit is on the left.
The older parachute was not assembled. There was an addendum to the instructions showing how to tie on the shroud lines instead of just sticking them on under a tape disk.
The older shock cord was 1/8" wide fabric over elastic, barely 18" long.
The newer shock cord was the old style rubber, 1/4" wide X 30" long.
The decals looked the same in both kits, the Estes logos were slightly larger on the new decals.
On closer examination, the older decals had sharper edges and had a "Center Section and Serial Number" decal not on the new kit sheet.
Estes has made some great strides in the Classic re-issue kits.
Longer shock cords, laser cut parts and balsa nose cones are a plus.
The new engine locks aren't spring steel anymore.
The jury is still out on the decals. Some have had the edges lift a few days after applying the decals.
The fact that Estes would ship the new kit with a rubber shock cord is ironic. Does anyone use the rubber cords anymore? I abandoned them for elastic years ago.
ReplyDeleteThere are two possible reasons Estes would use rubber: a) it's cheaper than elastic, and b) it adds more "vintageness" to the kit.
This reminds me of the irony about Fender "vintage reissue" electric guitars. Their reissues are built fairly close to the design of the originals, right down to the old wiring system. Few players use the original wiring setup and have it updated after purchase. Ironically, if Fender sold their guitars with the wiring already updated, they would probably receive more complaints that it's not original.
Hi Lonnie,
ReplyDeleteI agree, I'm not a fan of rubber shock cords. If Estes were to make this a true vintage repro kit, they might have used elastic which was in the bag from the older 1991 - 1993 kit.
So you're a guitarist? I always thought the Fender guitars with the factory worn finishes were pretty funny. They were new guitars with cracks in the lacquer, tarnished metal and even cigarette burns at the tuner knobs. If enough people buy them, they'll come out with more "vintage" editions.
I think if I were to say I'm a guitarist I would be exaggerating. "Poser" is more like it. I'm not a fan of the distressed look on new guitars. I have seen some really convincing, impressive distressed finishes and I've seen some horribly fake looking distressing. I want my new gear to look new; it'll get distressed by itself after so much playing.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were talking about Estes at TTRA, you mentioned that the reason why the new kits have balsa cones has to do with new management wanting to go more "old school." Could this also be the reason for the rubber shock cords?
Hi Lonnie,
ReplyDeleteWho knows about the rubber shock cords!
Estes kits had them when I left the hobby back in 1978.
Centuri was using elastic, I always thought the elastic was better than a rubber band. It lasts longer and stands up to more ejection charges.
It looks like Estes changed to elastic for a while, seeing it in the older Photon Probe from 1991-1993.
I'm building the new Estes Mini Honest John right now - it has a 24" long rubber shock cord. Sure, it's still the old style rubber cord, but at least they are cutting them longer!