I often browse the old catalogs at Ninfinger.org looking for the next interesting build.
This one caught my eye! Here's the page: CLICK HERE
The Skytracer was only sold in 981 through 1982. Sure, it's a bit different,
but that's what'll make it a fun clone.
Specifications: Length: 13.0", Diameter: 0.976", Weight: 1.9 oz.
Recommended 18 mm Engines: A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, B8-5, C5-3, C6-5
The two central fin nozzles (facing the rear in the photo above) are made by combining the front and rear of the old Centuri Shuttle SST jet engines.
Centuri also used these nozzles on their Quasar kit. To see my Quasar clone build: CLICK HERE
If memory serves, my Shuttle SST kit originally had vacu-form nozzles. Later on the nozzles were injection molded. Estes found some use for the molds in the Skytracer. I'll be assembling the nozzles with segments cut from plastic nose cones.
The build starts tomorrow . . .
I do recall seeing some Estes kits of the early 1980s that were using parts that were previously used in Centuri kits, and around similar timeframe of 1978-1979, some kits from Centuri were using the same body tube diameters as Estes. But then that's not surprising since by then Centuri and Estes were two different brands but the same company.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken the F-61 Starfighter (on the facing page where the Skytracer is seen) utilizes some parts that were on the Centuri Fighter Fleet kits (in particular the canopy, missiles and droptanks), along with a nosecone from the Alien Invader
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/76est028.html
Hi Naoto,
DeleteThat F-61 Starfighter did use Fighter Fleet plastic parts.