View Full Version : Estes K35 Constellation first offered in 1969?
gerryfortin
12-21-2009, 06:31 AM
As I'm adding more individual kit pages to the Estes pricing database, it was time to tackle the K35 Constellation. Jimid posted images of his early kits including a K35 Constellation without hang tag. Was Estes still issuing no hang tag kits through 1969? Yes, I've checked the Estes catalogs and the Constellation first appears in 1969, but the Jimid kit packaging and graphics suggest an earlier origin.
Can anyone share insight on this matter. I will continue to build the K35 Constellation no hang tag page assuming 1969 production but feel a bit uncomfortable to justify if challenged.
Thanks
Gerry
mojo1986
12-21-2009, 08:29 AM
Note that Jimi's kit uses a non-gusseted bag (i.e. does not have side folds). I have seen a few kits over the years that were packaged this way, although they are quite scarce. Mark Mayfield recently sold a Camroc kit on Ebay that was packaged this way. These kits were clearly made up during a transition from no hangtag, gusset bag kits (1968 and prior) to non-gusseted bag kits that had the early yellow hangtag (1969 to about 1971?). Obviously, Estes had the non-gusset bag stock ready to go (and ran out of their gusseted bags) before the first shipment of hangtags arrived. So yes, the kit is from 1969, probably made up early that year.
Joe
gerryfortin
12-21-2009, 09:46 AM
Hi Joe
Your response was most helpful. The gusseted/non-gusseted bag variable is an excellent point that will be added to the kit descriptions.
Thank you
Royatl
12-21-2009, 03:35 PM
As I'm adding more individual kit pages to the Estes pricing database, it was time to tackle the K35 Constellation. Jimid posted images of his early kits including a K35 Constellation without hang tag. Was Estes still issuing no hang tag kits through 1969? Yes, I've checked the Estes catalogs and the Constellation first appears in 1969, but the Jimid kit packaging and graphics suggest an earlier origin.
Can anyone share insight on this matter. I will continue to build the K35 Constellation no hang tag page assuming 1969 production but feel a bit uncomfortable to justify if challenged.
Thanks
Gerry
I had a Constellation in early fall '68, as it was offered as a premium kit ("free with $xx order"). It was the fourth or fifth kit I ever built. Those kits often had no hang tag.
In the first months of hang tag use, they were often reserved for kits that were going to shops (i.e. no sense in wasting hangtags for kits that were going mail-order, as most kits were back then). Therefore you might get kits in the mail that didn't have hangtags, but the same kits would show up in stores (very few in the late 60's) with the generic yellow hangtag.
gerryfortin
12-21-2009, 07:09 PM
Roy and Joe.... I thought it best to capture both your comments on the 1969 K-35 individual kit page as follows; http://www.seateddimevarieties.com/BAR/kitpages/k35_nohangtag.htm
In this manner, folks will not have to search through old forum threads for this insight. Rather we can simply capture on a kit page dedicated to the K35 Constellation with no hang tag packing.
Again thank you for the help.
mojo1986
12-22-2009, 07:07 AM
Roy makes a good point.............I don't remember ever receiving an order for kits that came without hangtags (on the non-gusseted bags) but I do recall seeing such kits in a starter set or two. Roy is correct when he mentions 'wasting'..............Vern was quite frugal and would have had to have a good reason to do so before he would put a hangtag on the top of a kit.
Joe
OTOH, away back, when I was ordering from Estes directly, I don't recall ever getting a kit WITH a hang tag. And yes, the Constellation was a free kit initially. I think that's where mine came from. Sadly I only have the lower portion of it any more because of a shock cord failure and the subsequent gentle drifting away of the payload section and parachute.....
sandman
12-22-2009, 12:45 PM
OTOH, away back, when I was ordering from Estes directly, I don't recall ever getting a kit WITH a hang tag. And yes, the Constellation was a free kit initially. I think that's where mine came from. Sadly I only have the lower portion of it any more because of a shock cord failure and the subsequent gentle drifting away of the payload section and parachute.....
SEMROC has the exact replacement parts for it! ;)
I hate seeing my favorite rocket go to waste.
SEMROC has the exact replacement parts for it! ;)
I hate seeing my favorite rocket go to waste.
Beautiful upscales, Gordon!! What did you use for the payload section on the big one? Is that a 2.5"?
S.
sandman
12-22-2009, 03:02 PM
Beautiful upscales, Gordon!! What did you use for the payload section on the big one? Is that a 2.5"?
S.
The big one is BT-70 based with a 3 x 24mm cluster mount.
A great way to get rid of 3 Estes E6's!
The clear payload bay is available from Apogee Compnents.
http://www.apogeerockets.com/
It's hard to find. It's listed under "regular body tubes" but under material is's listed as "clear plastic".
I make the nose cone coupler and decal set. :)
SEMROC has the exact replacement parts for it! ;)
I hate seeing my favorite rocket go to waste.
Gordon,
Yes, I know - and I actually have the parts on hand, a new Constellation built from a Semroc xKit in flying shape and another xKit in the bag.
It is one of my favorites as well....with the fins airfoiled as directed in the original it really seems to fly quite a bit higher than others of similar configuration and weight. And, it just looks right.
BTW, that's quite a family shot. I've been thinking BT-3-based downscale for MicroMaxx....just gotta get to it.
The big one is BT-70 based with a 3 x 24mm cluster mount.
A great way to get rid of 3 Estes E6's!
The clear payload bay is available from Apogee Compnents.
http://www.apogeerockets.com/
It's hard to find. It's listed under "regular body tubes" but under material is's listed as "clear plastic".
I make the nose cone coupler and decal set. :)
I have a list of items I'll be ordering from you after Christmas. It'll just be a bit longer now :) .
S.
sandman
12-22-2009, 10:11 PM
Gordon,
Yes, I know - and I actually have the parts on hand, a new Constellation built from a Semroc xKit in flying shape and another xKit in the bag.
It is one of my favorites as well....with the fins airfoiled as directed in the original it really seems to fly quite a bit higher than others of similar configuration and weight. And, it just looks right.
BTW, that's quite a family shot. I've been thinking BT-3-based downscale for MicroMaxx....just gotta get to it.
There is a MicroMaxx one there. It flys really well too.
I'll have to dig up all the patterns.
My workshop is a total disaster! :o
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