Hobby Lobby Clearance Panic?

On the Estes Model Rockets Facebook page, Mark Allen asked:
"When you folks have been making the deal of the decade at Hobby Lobby ... 
Have you found out why everything is on clearance?"

John Boren of Estes responded:
"New Estes Stock has and is arriving so don't worry Estes is Still at Hobby Lobby."


So it sounds like Hobby Lobby is clearing out old inventory to make room for new products. I finally got to the store on Monday and picked up two packs of engines.
The D12-0s can go in the Quinstar. I have occasional uses for the B6-2s.
I didn't see anything I couldn't live without, I already have plenty 3FNC rockets!

Estes Specials - What Happened?

I went to the Estes website to buy two 1/100th Saturn V capsules.
I was also going to purchase one of the Specials - the one with five rockets, two boosters, a launcher and controller. This was going to be a gift for three brothers who live close by. They've shown an interest in rocketry, this would be an easy complete introduction for them. The entire clearance lot package was under $35.00.

Today it's gone! Estes had four or five pages of specials, now down to just two pages. A few days ago two ARF rockets and two "boosters" were under $15.00 - Now that package is $33.98! 
The PSII Trajector was on special, now its back up to $44.99.
Needless to say, I didn't follow through with the order.

Maybe they are simply resetting the clearance models. On the other hand -  maybe it has something to do with the Hobbico Chapter 11?
Here's a link to the Estes SPECIALS pages - CLICK HERE

Hobby Lobby Clearance and Re-Stocks

Here's some of the new line-up of replacement kits at Hobby Lobby. The Super Nova, Prostar, Commanche-3 and Nike X.
The Nike Smoke might be gone but the Mercury Redstone kit is still there.

On one of the end cap displays were some of last years models on clearance. Initial clearance at Hobby Lobby is 40% off and you can't use the 40% coupon on top of that.
Looks like the Sequoia, Mini Fat Boy and Indicator will be going.
Also on clearance were some 29mm E18-8 engines at $14.99 for two.

Before anybody tells me I'm incorrect, this is all the information I could see at one Hobby Lobby store. The store near you might have other items.

Hobby Lobby Clearance Rockets

I had a lightning strike yesterday. Not close to my house, but close enough. After getting a new modem a few days ago, my home internet is down again!
This requires me to go to McDonald's for breakfast and free WiFi. If I miss a post, it's not by my choice. (That and my printer may be down for the count!)

After seeing the TRF post by Goose In Co, I stopped by Hobby Lobby yesterday to check out the clearances and re-stocking of model rockets and supplies.
I picked up the Puma and Nike Smoke kits. The clearance prices are attractive at 40% off. I couldn't combine the 40% off coupon on clearance items.
The Booster 55 units were down to 59 cents.
Also on clearance were: Super Neon, Sequoia, Mini Fat Boy, Indicator and the E16-8 and F15-8 engines.

Now, let's see what kits replace those on clearance . . .

Estes Booster 55, Part 2

The "key tabs" on the fins slide into the long slots in the lower plastic side of the tube. They are tight!
When both tabs are in place the fins is slid up until it stops.
NOTE: Be careful not to grip the BT-55 tube at the top too tight, you can bend it fairly easily.

The engine locking ring is spun on until it stops at the base of the fins. The ring also locks the low end of the fins in place. A very well designed accessory.

Here's the top, you can see the inside of the BT-55 tube.

The is a plastic "funnel" that directs the hot propellant pieces into the 18mm engine in the second stage.

Here's the ring that replaces the ring from the RTF kit. You can see the screw threads that fit the upper engine mount.

As John Boren said on a forum, the fit of the "Stager" ring is pretty loose in the Booster 55 unit.
This might be why the few two stage rockets I've flown have veered off when the second stage ignites.

Estes Booster 55, Part 1

I've read on the forums that Hobby Lobby is blowing out the Estes Booster 55 and Booster 60s for $.99. The Hobby Lobby I go to (for engines with the 40% off coupon) have them at the regular retail price of $7.99.
Today I was on the other side of town and stopped by a different Hobby Lobby store. There was one Booster 55 left. And for $.99 cents I couldn't pass it up!

When I cut through the tape at the top I thought something was missing. They could have packed the parts in a box half this size!

Here's what you get - 
A plastic tube with a BT-55 set into the top. The plastic low end has keyed slots for the root edge attachment.

Four Nike Smoke shaped fins.
A locking ring for the bottom and a locking ring for the upper stage rocket. The upper locking ring (called a "Stager" online) replaces the engine locking ring on the upper stage rocket.

Two More Estes Clearance Kits -

From TRF, Malbar 70 found two new clearance kits on the Estes website:

The QCC Explorer is on sale for $8.99 - CLICK HERE
The Conquest kit is priced at $10.99 - CLICK HERE

The QCC is a sharp looking rocket, but I don't want to fill those intakes again!
The Conquest has two of the same intakes underneath.
Here's my build of the QCC Explorer - CLICK HERE