Improvements In Odd'l Rockets Kits

While I wait for drier weather to paint the Sandpiper -

Here's two improvements in the Odd'l Rockets 104 Starfighter kit.

3D printing has come a LONG way!

This is the PNC-24D nose cone from Apogee. Resin printed and very smooth. The plastic color is a light gray, the older cones were bright yellow. The gray is much easier to cover with lighter spray paints. Here is one coat of gloss white.

The intakes of the F-104 kit were split balsa nose cones.
While I pre-split the nose cones, the builder was still required to sand the inside contour to fit tight against the body tube. 

The new intakes are resin 3D printed by reallykoostuff.com 

Light gray, smooth and the underside is curved to fit the heavy wall BT-50 tube.

New Estes Gemini Titan Kit

It's about time!

Estes has just released a new "expert build" 1/48 scale Gemini Titan kit.

27" tall, 2.5' diameter.

Two C5-3 engine cluster, 350 foot altitude.

I had built the original K-22 kit in the early 1970s. The engines were slid into widened cardstock nozzles.

This new kit has (removeable for flight) scale nozzles. A finned cluster mount is slid in, turned and locked in place. A 24" rip stop parachute is included.

The online catalog page: CLICK HERE

To see the instructions: CLICK HERE

New Estes Catalog and Apogee Products

 

The new Estes 2026 catalog is available to view online:

CLICK HERE

Also - 

What's New at Apogee Components - NARCON 2026 Presentation

CLICK HERE

New Estes Kit -

https://estesrockets.com/pages/soyuz

New Estes Laser X2

Estes has unveiled a new Designer Signature Series kit - 

The LASER X2

This is based on the original Centuri Laser X design, upscaled to a BT-60 size.

I had always thought the Centuri Laser X was produced to compete with the Estes Mars Snooper.

The Estes Mars Snooper was introduced in 1966, the Centuri Laser X in 1968.

The new Laser X2 kit instructions have been posted: CLICK HERE

The colors and decal treatment are different from the original. New balsa strakes run down the upper tube. Plastic fin detail "guns" replace the toothpicks on the outside edge of the fins. 

The small vanes that surround the engine tube extension are now molded in plastic. A new screw on engine retainer rounds out the kit.

To see my build of the original Laser X from Semroc, CLICK HERE

New Estes Banshee Kit

I thought this one looked familiar!

It's (sort of) an upscale (ST-7 to BT-50) of the old Centuri wedge finned Bandito!

Here's the cardstock wedge fins assembly.

To see the instructions: CLICK HERE

"Cut out the eight holes as well?

New Estes Shock Cord Anchors

Estes has just released new Shock Cord Anchors 

for BT-50, 55 and 60 tubes: CLICK HERE

These are certainly an upgrade from the paper tri-fold anchors.

Still, no improvement for BT-5 and 20 sized tubes.

These are adhered with 3M peel and stick tape.

Centuri developed a self-adhesive shock cord mount in 1971.

Initially claimed to be "permanent", they did loosen and pull loose over time. Later kits would include an addendum to the instructions reminding you to burnish the fastener between launches.

The 3M tape in the new Estes mounts should hold better!

Estes Pro Series II Mega Red Max

Estes has released a 29mm three engine cluster model, the new 4" Mega Red Max. Checking the instructions: CLICK HERE 

It looks like it has laminated fins you'll actually have to cut out! Oh, the 1960s horrors!

To the younger (laser cut) builders: "It'll build character." You'll end up with thicker, stronger fins than the previous 3" diameter Big Red Max.

The "decals" are vinyl this time around.

I'm glad to see the fin decals are parallel with the table top like the original BT-60 Citation kit. On some recent versions the fin decals were set at an angle, parallel with the leading edge of the fins.

New 2025 Estes Catalog Is Posted

On Y.O.R.F., 

Turbofireball let us know and Earl posted this PDF link:

CLICK HERE

Look for the Red NEW 

bullet points to find the latest releases. 

Upcoming Estes Kits?

Yesterday on YORF,

Turbofireball found the Estes 2024 Summer-Fall New Products Catalog!

New kits and some bring-backs.

His post requested that the images not be copied, so -

Here's a link to his post: CLICK HERE

NRAM 65 Manufacturer Forum

The NARAM 65 Manufacturers Forum has been posted on YouTube.

To watch it: CLICK HERE

New Estes Saturn V Kit Available

The newest version of the Estes Saturn V kit is now available!

A few months back I built a pre-production, flight version of this kit for Estes. It just showed up in a promotional launch video, keep an eye out here for a link in a day or two.

On Facebook, Andy Northern mentioned that the kit now includes wrap around painting guides!

This is a MAJOR improvement over trying to mark a round tube with a ruler and pencil.

To see the kit instructions, they are posted on the Estes website: CLICK HERE

The kit also uses a Kevlar tie for the shock cord attachment.

The centering rings get a two layer cardstock reinforcement.

Here's the Kevlar loop tied into the adapter.

If you haven't built a Saturn V in a while, 

The kit now has a 29mm screw on retainer for the recommended E16-4 and F15-4 motors.

You are instructed to use a knife tip to drill holes in the command module tube for attachment of the thrusters.

TIP: Use a pin tip to make the holes. A knife blade will make a hole too large for the small pin on the back of the thrusters.

Estes ARCAS Now Available

The new Estes ARCAS kit is available!

BT-20 based, 14.5" tall with streamer recovery.

Mini engine powered, friction fit retention.

The model is small so the instructions suggest simply rounding the leading edge of the fins. A scale diamond taper is not shown.

The instructions include a mask pattern for the difficult red and white separations. 

The instructions have just been posted on the Estes website: CLICK HERE

New Estes 2024 Catalog Now Online

 

The new Estes 2024 Catalog is now online!

To see it: CLICK HERE

From YORF, Turbofireball did all the research on new products and discontinued items - 

Thanks Turbo!

New items:
Tri-Flyer Starter Set #0647
Roto Rocket Starter Set #0648
Olympus Mega Starter Set #0642 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
Green Eggs Starter Set #9990 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
Mini Alpha Launch Set #2458
Mini Bertha Launch Set #2469
Mini Max Launch Set #2445
Star Hopper Launch Set #2427
Long Ranger Kit #0814 (was Hobby Lobby exclusive)
Roto Rocket Kit #1322
Tri-Flyer Kit #1323
Saturn V Kit #1969
Mini Alpha Kit #2098
Mini Bertha Kit #2099
Mini Arcas Kit #2441
Power Patrol Kit#2481 (rerelease)
Vapor Kit #7294 (rerelease)
Space Shuttle RTF #9991
F15-4 Bulk Pack (available direct only, no hobby shops)
Launch Rail Launch Pad #2311 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
100 lb. Aramid Cord #3140 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
200 lb. Aramid Cord #3141 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
300 lb. Aramid Cord #3142 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
Pro Series Parts Assortment #9987 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
Cosmic Ray Bulk Pack #1112 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
Cosmic Cargo Bulk Pack #1752 (available direct only, no hobby shops)
D12-5 Bulk Pack #1786
Mini Launch Pad & Controller #2244 (rerelease)
Sanding Bar Sandpaper 180 Grit #2323
Sanding Bar Sandpaper 300 Grit #2324
Sanding Bar Sandpaper 400 Grit #2325

Discontinued items:
Gnome Kit #0886
Terra GLM Kit #7292
Xtreme Kit #7306
220 Swift Kit #0810
Mars Longship Kit #7296
Gnome Bulk Pack #1749

Catalog error:
MAV Rocket Kit incorrectly listed as #7297 (correct #7283)

Estes Selling Kevlar?

Estes is finally selling Aramid Cord! Aramid cord is Kevlar.

Kevlar is fire resistant, not fireproof. 100 to 150 lb. Kevlar will degrade from ejection charge exposure and eventually break through after 10 - 15 launches.

What's the advantage to using Kevlar?

In LPR smaller body tubes it is attached to the engine mount. There isn't a tri-fold shock cord mount to block the ejection of your parachute or streamer.

I prefer Kevlar tied to an elastic shock cord. That tie point should be below the lip of the body tube (unless you use a "bumper") or you can get a "Zipper" where the Kevlar can tear down and through the body tube.

Another Estes Re-release -

FROM THE VAULT 

"If you know what this rocket is, you have either been in the hobby for a long time or are hard core! This is a rocket that hasn't been produced or sold in decades. Keep an eye out for the release because it is a limited run!"

Hardcore? Not hardcore, just old.

I built a Starlight kit in the early 1970s. This model taught me to fill the balsa grain before gluing it together at the root edges.

It's nearly impossible to brush on and sand filler when assembled. Fill and paint the model before the rings are glued on. Even then, access is difficult with the fins and long strakes so close together.

Looks like the Starlight was first released around 1968. 

I remember going through the old Estes catalogs and wondering how they got the finishes so smooth. Later I worked in the print shop and  realized catalog models got touched up with an airbrush.

The kit instructions are now online: CLICK HERE

Looks like the Starlight has a balsa nose cone - but the instructions also mention an "optional" plastic nose cone.

To see the original K-32 kit instructions: CLICK HERE

The main fins were 3/32" thick balsa, strakes (inside the ring strips) were 1/16" thick balsa.

Estes 65th Anniversary Rocket Kit?

Seen in todays emails - 

"This year Estes is celebrating 65 years! To celebrate we have something special just on the horizon. It will be limited edition so stay tuned."

New Estes Catalog Sanding Block

On page 82 of the new 2023 Estes catalog - 

THE ULTIMATE SANDING BAR - $14.99

This is very similar to my favorite OOP Great Planes Easy Touch sanding block. It's the same price as the comparable Du-Bro Kwik Sand Block. Sure the price seems high, but these are the BEST sanding blocks. 

The Estes Sanding Bar comes with some 120 grit sandpaper. That's pretty rough for sanding balsa. I have two Great Planes blocks. One has 220 grit for shaping, the other has 400 grit for smoothing.

The great thing about these blocks are the raised hand grip running down the back. The self adhesive sandpaper holds strong to the flat bottom face. You can concentrate on shaping a fin without having to grip the sandpaper at the same time.  

For more information and TIPS for this style sanding block: 

CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE

New 2023 Estes Catalog (Page)

EDIT: The 2023 Estes Catalog is online for viewing at Jim Z's: CLICK HERE

On TRF, 

DMEhalko posted a page from the upcoming 2023 Estes catalog.

I knew about the SO LONG design but hadn't seen the two on the facing page.

BLACK BRANT XII

Length 54.6", Diameter 2.22"

Nylon Chute 

Single Stage E16-6 and F15-6

GREAT GOBLIN

Length 33.5", Diameter 3.0"

Nylon Chute 

Single Stage E16-4 and F15-6

We should see a catalog announcement from Estes soon!

Estes Super Orbital Transport Coming July 27!

Oh Boy! Seen on Facebook and an Email - 

The blog build starts with a "Background" post on Tuesday, July 26.

Until then, some interesting filler posts.

I've already built three display models for Estes. 

Some Tips along the way -