"Just came back from flying more test models for Estes. One is a bring back and has just two colors to it's finish. The other is a New SciFi Model that is completely different from anything else Estes has ever done before. I've already built and flown five of these Skill Level 5 models but I think I'll build three or four more just to be sure they fly straight. Since this SciFi model are built from PP (pre-production) samples the kit should be announced in just a couple of months if the rest of the test flights go as planned."
". . . And yes I include the colors of the decals as part of the color scheme."
Looking through some old catalogs, here's some I found that are only two colors including the decals in the two color limit. I've picked out a few possibilities, those are in BOLD
Estes Two-color models:
QUASAR (chrome and white), Mosquito, Screamer, Beta, Little John, Mark, Streak, Wac Corporal, The Bat, Spartan, MEAN MACHINE, EXOCET, ICARUS, MAXI ICARUS, Scamp, Eclipse, LTV SCOUT, Multi Roc, Zipper, Pulsar, Vector, Phaser, Echo, Sunbird, Blazer, Vigilante.
I can't see any reason for Estes to bring back another simple 3FNC (three fin, nose cone) rocket. I was told the Quasar fin tips had to be cut by hand from Alpha III fin cans. That one might be out for that reason. We can hope it'll be something interesting like the LTV Scout or Maxi Icarus. This is probably not a complete list, I just looked through some online catalogs and made some guesses.
The yellow & black Vigilante, 2-Stager? I wouldn't mind the Bat, I'm prone to thinking the decals give it enough kick for a return.
ReplyDeleteHi Overeasy,
DeleteI didn't think of the Vigilante, I only looked through some scattered catalogs. It was only available from 1982 - 1983. I don't think Estes would bring back a model that didn't sell enough kits to have a long production run. I'll add it to the list though, thanks!
The Bat design never did anything for me. That fin decal with the little bat character was strange. There were two other "bat" designs over the years, the Centuri Batroc and the more recent Estes Hyper Bat.
DeleteEstes has so many variations of color schemes it's hard to figure it out based just on that hint. Saros might be a good choice or an LTV Scout due to the unique nosecone. Maybe another upscale of a classic - a Super Drifter or Maxi Icarus to go with the new biggified Big Bertha? Did the X-Ray ever have a two-color scheme? I never painted mine so I don't recall. A two-stage Exocet would be sweet...
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteI only went by the catalog pictures for the two-tone paint ideas. I thought the Saros too, but it has those chrome pieces between the fins so that one might be out. I'm hoping for the LTV Scout.
How about going a little bit off the wall and dipping into the Centuri catalog - Black Widow? A gliding booster would be something different. Or an MX-774 - though it looks similar to one of the V-2's many paint schemes. I think you're probably closer than I am with the LTV though it's fun to speculate...
DeleteWhen I read they were testing a bring back I was hoping it was there Saturn 1B but the paint scheme puts it out. I am real excited about the new Si-Fi kit. My hat is off to John for all the great new designs he has come up with.
ReplyDeleteHi Frank,
DeleteI've been hoping for the (Centuri) 1/100th Saturn 1B also but I'm happy with any new and challenging products.
Honestly I'm more excited by the prospect of a new skill level 5 sci fi model "unlike anything Estes has made before". Now that gets my juices flowing.
ReplyDeleteLTV Scout or Maxi Icarus - either sound great. Hard to speculate about the new sci-fi design but hoping it’s another John Boren potential classic!
ReplyDeleteMars Snooper II - would be very cool
ReplyDeleteGyroc??
Nike Ajax?
Yellow Jacket?
Hi Cameron,
DeleteI didn't think about the Mars Snooper II. Yellow Jacket is another possibility. Nike Ajax would be fun but the decals make for too many colors. I don't think it would be the Gyroc.
The Renegade (1271) is two-color. It used the same nose cone as the reissued Red Max and Patriot. My guess is that it is going to be the Renegade.
ReplyDeleteCan't see a reason to bring out another 3FNC rocket? It's Estes. 3FNC rockets abound.
ReplyDeleteHi Astronwolf,
DeleteI agree! If it has to be a 3FNC rocket, make it really interesting like the Citation Patriot.
Black Hole Space Probe and Maxi-Streak are two more possibilities.
ReplyDeleteHi Astronwolf,
DeleteI don't know - The Black Hole model (and movie) were a bust, the kit was only available for one year. The Maxi-Streak is pretty close to the recent Mega Mosquito which is now OOP.
You know me, Chris...
ReplyDeletePlease, let it be the Quasar
Please, let it be the Quasar
Please, let it be the Quasar
Please, let it be the Quasar
Please, let it be the Quasar
Please, let it be the Quasar.
Yes, I know!
DeleteWell, the Citation Quasar wouldn't be MY first pick - Mr. Boren just revealed it isn't a scale model so Quasar is possible .
ReplyDeletePlease to be giving us teh Maxi Icarus.
ReplyDeleteAnother candidate would be the one year only Dark Star. The nose cone and nozzle appear the same as the recently discontinued Solar Warrior and the new Citation Patriot uses a lot of gold-tone in the decal so we know Estes vendor in China has the capability for the Dark Star’s all-gold graphics - add it up and maybe the return of the Dark Star could be the result. Interesting story I found about that rocket:
ReplyDeletehttp://forums.rocketshoppe.com/show...92&page=1&pp=10
New clues from John Boren:
ReplyDelete"As for the new SciFi model it consists of 54 laser cut parts that come from 11 sheets of balsa and 1 sheet of Card Stock. It doesn't use a plastic of shaped balsa nose cone but does use a set of plastic parts from a past SciFi model".
So if I interpret that correctly, it uses a nose cone made of several plastic parts cemented together. Any ideas?
As for the bring back, he says "it is not a scale model". So that eliminates the LTV Scout and Nike Ajax. So, probably a popular sport model, I'm guessing.
Maybe the X-Wing Fighter or the SDI Satellite contributed the new sci-fi nose cone parts? Or the Klingon Battle Cruiser?
ReplyDelete