For a smaller 13mm model, there is a lot of detail.
The small engine vanes take time (and tweezers) to position. There are the intake tubes, the fit of the upper and lower wings and that bulbous canopy nose cone. The nose cone looks so much better on the Lynx compared to the old Space Racer model.
This one is a rewarding challenge.
I'm glad Estes is still making builder's kits.
John Boren did a great job with the design.
This could easily be a level 4 rocket, but level 4 probably scares off too many customers. I have a Lynx sitting in my build pile and I am anxious to get started. Thanks for all the tips, I have been closely following this build.
ReplyDeleteYou bet Eero!
DeleteI think the level could be 3 1/2 for the tube cutting and fitting and the small engine vanes.
Yes, I remember how awkward that nose cone looks on a Space Racer, especially painted red ;^)
ReplyDeleteHi Lonnie,
DeleteA few years ago, I remember seeing the Space Racer in a hobby store and thinking - What an ugly model. I won't say what it looked like.
Yep, the Space Racer kit was a rather unappealing kit. Similarly the Venom. Bought those kits just the same however -- as kitbash fodder. Bought a few Shuttle X-press kits for similar reason.
DeleteI keep forgetting to check on something about that nosecone. The cockpit "bump" looks about to be the same shape as the (separate) cockpit piece (molded in clear plastic) that was used on the Centuri Jet Fighter series kits -- but placed backwards with the narrow end pointing forward. I vaguely recall sometime later Estes did release a kit that reused some of the parts from the Centuri kits (the canopy, and the detail parts such as the missile tail and nose and drop-tank tail and nose pieces).
ReplyDeleteHi Naoto,
DeleteI remember the Centuri Fighter Jets series. I never liked them because of the fibre fin parts.Who know, the bubble canopy nose cone may have been inspired by the Fighter Fleet part.
Yep, I wasn't terribly thrilled with fibreboard (aka thick cardboard) fins, but I bought some of the kits anyway (as there wasn't much in similar rocket models). Aside fro the fiberboard, the intake parts bugged me -- as the shapes weren't quite right. The F-15 kit did build up rather nicely, but falls short when compared to the much newer Screaming Eagle kit from Estes. The one thing I didn't like about the Estes was the look of the stock decoration scheme. The thought has entered my mind of possibly using the Estes kit as starting point of updated versions of the Fighter Jet fleet.
DeleteHi Naoto,
DeleteYou're right, the Centuri Fighter Fleet were unique at the time. I never had one. The intakes were most likely die cut thick card stock and probably fit as well as parts on my Draconian Marauder.
I don't think anyone liked the decor of the Estes Screaming Eagle! It might make a good start to a Fighter Fleet style model.
If the canopy "bump" is indeed based on the same part I'm thinking of, it might explain why it might appear a tad oversize. The canopy part was for a nosecone that fits a 1" diameter body tube, rather than the smaller BT-20 size (close to around 3/4").
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSorry Glen,
DeleteI didn't mean to remove your comment! I hit the wrong button.
While the two are a pair -
I probably won't build the Scorpion, the design didn't do much for me. It reminds me of a running greyhound!
no problem. I really enjoy your blog, really great photography in all those close up details. I also enjoyed your presentation on the web archive from 2014 NARCON, lots of great construction tips, many thanks for sharing.
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