Name That Rocket -

Johnathan Wilkins posted on the Estes Model Rockets Facebook page:


"Name That Rocket . . ."

There were plenty of responses, most thought it was the original Estes Drifter. You know, the one that had a 12' and 24" parachute in the kit? Guaranteed to be lost on the first flight using the 24" parachute.
To see the Estes Drifter instructions: CLICK HERE 

Steven Perkins got it right by guessing "Calypso". The kit was produced for two years, 1989-1990. To see the Estes Calypso instructions: CLICK HERE

But, there was another guess by Greg Kennedy: "Centuri Starfire?"
Jonathan Wilkins said that answer was incorrect. Or was it?






The Estes Drifter (1964 - 1979) was first, followed by the Centuri Starfire in 1967. The Starfire was Centuri's answer to the Estes Drifter. The Starfire stayed in production until 1982.
To see the Starfire instructions: CLICK HERE
The Estes Calypso was released seven years later in 1989.

Take a look at the fins on the Calypso and Starfire - pretty close, if not the same.
The body tube diameters and model lengths are also very close.

Both the Drifter and Calypso had trailing fins, a paper boat tail and two parachutes. But, the Estes Calypso had streamer recovery.

I've already spent too much time researching these - I'll let somebody else compare the fins between the Starfire and Calypso.