The B.O.S.S. is now available today, from Estes or your favorite vendor.
Here's the third kit in the Estes Designer Signature Series. The B.O.S.S. was designed by Bill Simon.
Mr. Simon was the Vice President of Estes. He wrote and published the Model Rocket News and was responsible for the annual catalogs.
He also led the creative team including research and development for the company.
Astron Apogee (K-5) 1962, Astron Phantom (K-7) 1962, Astron Cobra (K-10) 1963, Astron Farside (K-12) 1963, Astron Farside-X (K-12X) 1963, Astron Sky Hook (K-8) 1963, Astron Drifter (K-14) 1965, Astron Alpha (K-25) 1966, Astron Avenger (K-38) 1968, Astron Midget (K-40) 1968, Astron Scramber (K-37) 1968, Saturn V Semi-scale (K-39) 1968, Astron Beta (K-45) 1969, Astron Birdie (K-44) 1969, Russian Vostok (1272) 1975, Antares (1276) 1976, Firefly (1280) 1976, Icarus (1277) 1976.
All the parts:
Decals,
Yellow Part M Reinforcement Rings
Two sheets 3/32" thick laser cut balsa
Laser Cut Ring stock
Center - Laser cut (thinner) index stock
I do find amusing that this model sports a marking that reads "SCC-7107" (which vaguely resembles the "NCC-1701" marking seen on the Enterprise in the Star Trek TV series). The same "SCC-7107" designation appeared on the USS Atlantis kit (which appears to have been styled to resemble the spaceships from Star Trek). As such, I wouldn't be surprised that there may be some modelers that will be tempted to decorate it as a Star Trek ship.
ReplyDeleteHi Naoto,
DeleteMaybe the B.O.S.S. design was the pre-cursor design to the USS Atlantis kit. It has a much smaller round disk fin than the B.O.S.S. I'm sure some other modeler will to the Star Trek treatment on it.
When I first saw this kit, I immediately thought of the Estes Star Trek Enterprise with the long boom to make it fly stable and to house the parachute. I also think the designation on the decal sheet gives it away that Bill Simon had that sorta in mind when designing it.
ReplyDeleteHi Leo,
DeleteI also thought of the Enterprise when I saw the design and decal sheet. I always hated that "parachute recovery probe" stability extension. Even when painted flat black it stuck out like a sore thumb.
Yep, I agree. I painted mine in silver.
DeleteThe parts photo does make clear about one detail that's not entirely clear in the photo of Mr. Simon holding the prototype. In the middle of the model, where there is a change in body tube size, and there appears to be some sort of "vanes" in that part. My initial impression was that there weas a transition section onto which these "vanes" were attached.
ReplyDeleteI also found interesting the use of paper reinforcement for the large "dish" - not only addressing any concern one might have about parts of the "dish" snapping off, as well as partly dealing with the possible problem that might be raised with the "keyed" attachment point (i.e. a slight depression or raised part), but if the diameter of the paper part is slightly smaller than the balsa part, it could also serve to add a bit of extra "texture" to the model.
Hi Naoto,
DeleteI was surprised by how many little vanes there were at the transition. Twelve!
The cardstock disk does reinforce the ring. You are right - It also covers up the fin slot where the ring is glued to the vertical fin. The thin cardstock edges have to be well sealed or it can absorb water when applying the decals.
Any idea what the blue rocket on the table next to the Estes car is?
ReplyDeleteHi Scigs,
DeleteI can't tell what it is either -
Maybe a scratch build. I will post my question on Facebook
Delete