Estes Blackhawk #2053 Build, Background

Centuri released the Buck Rogers series of kits in the 1979 catalog. These kits were based on the NBC Buck Rogers TV show that ran from 1979 through 1981.

The product line included the Laser Lance, a Laser Lance Starter Outfit, the Draconian Marauder and Earth Forces Starfighter.

These "profile" models used cardstock for the fins. Thicker cardstock was used for the fins, thinner stock was for the detail pieces like the canopies. 

To see the Centuri Earth Forces Starfighter #5335 Instructions: CLICK HERE

After Centuri was absorbed by Estes, the white Starfighter was re-released a few years later as the Estes Blackhawk.

I don't know all the back story, but I assume they changed enough of the design to bypass the license fees.

There are some differences in the two kits. The Centuri Starfighter had a rear eject parachute. The packed chute was simply pushed into the recess in the back of the model. The ejection charge popped  out the engine mount pulling out the parachute. 

The Estes Blackhawk used vent tubes glued together at right angles to eject a black parachute out one of the nose cones. This newer front eject is difficult to construct.

There were slight differences in the canopies. The Centuri version had some added clay weight in the nose cones. Decals in the Estes Blackhawk were all white.

To see and compare the Estes Blackhawk #2053 instructions: CLICK HERE

I have built the Centuri Draconian Marauder previously on the blog. 

To see that build: CLICK HERE