Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Background

The original Estes Patriot was part of the Citation line of rocket kits from Estes.
These models were packaged to reach a larger audience, aimed at department stores where boxed kits would stack on a store shelf.
MPC sold their rockets in a box, much like their plastic model kits. Centuri also produced boxed kits with the short-lived Stellar line.

The other Citation rockets introduced the Red Max, the pop-pod gliding Bomarc, Starship Vega and chromed Quasar. There was also a chromed Porta Pad starter set.
The engine designations were simplified, An A8-3 was renamed an A-3, the B6-4 was called a B-4.
On the engine selection chart, the A-3 engine was "Generally Equivalent To" an A7-3, obviously a misprint.
The Citation Line was the first to use the infamous PNC-60AH nose cone. (That's the big nose cone used in the Red Max.)

The Citation line was the Cadillac of Estes kits in 1971. Lots of decals, gold decals and chromed parts. The Patriot was a Big Bertha sized model, a basic 3FNC rocket with BIG, gaudy decals.

I'm glad Estes brought this one back. In 1971 I visited Estes and took the tour. The Citation Line had just been released. I bought a Citation Patriot and Bomarc at the factory store. I remember thinking: "Rocket kits in boxes, how cool!".

To see the Estes Citation catalog: CLICK HERE