Estes Saturn V Kits (2) Located

[o1d_dude]

I finally located the Hobby Town store in Folsom this afternoon and paid them a visit.

They had just about every current Estes kit hanging on the wall so of course I had to look at them all. Looked at the FlutterBy again and again decided to many dollars for too little kit.

The real treasure was in the very back of the store. Two Limited Edition Estes Saturn V kits priced at either $54 or $59, I don't recall which. I'm not a big scale buff but I know there are folks here who are so I'm just passing the news along.

Hobby Town in Folsom, California has two of them sitting on the top shelves in the back of the store.

[tbzep]

Wow...that's cheaper than the lowest mail order price I've seen. :cool:

[o1d_dude]

My regular LHS had two of them on the shelves today but was asking $99.95 per kit.

Wow. That's a big chunk of change.

[bosuch]

So how "limited" are these kits, really? Only a certain number will be produced, only for a certain time, or what? Trying to decide when I actually need to buy one...

Bill

[Jeff Walther]

So how "limited" are these kits, really? Only a certain number will be produced, only for a certain time, or what? Trying to decide when I actually need to buy one...

Bill

Yes, I'm wondering too. I'd like to buy two, but not this month. Maybe not next month. And then we're into the holiday budget month...

[LeeR]

Yes, I'm wondering too. I'd like to buy two, but not this month. Maybe not next month. And then we're into the holiday budget month...

You might try this technique - I use it for firearms, but would work for any big purchase:

Every time you get cash at the ATM, put a $10 or $20 away in an envelope. Before you know it, you have your funds, and it does not really seem like such a financial burden. Also, take a bit of that and get your wife some flowers. Mine has come to know that it means I bought something, or I am guilty about something, but she appreciates the flowers anyway.

My typical response when I finally take a peek:

"Dang ... I have an envelope with $500 in it?!"

[Randy]

So how "limited" are these kits, really? Only a certain number will be produced, only for a certain time, or what? Trying to decide when I actually need to buy one...

Bill

If the current ownership follows the standard run of the last owner, there will be about 2,500 kits, total. I didn't get the number of kits from Estes (then or now) or anyone that works there - a friend of mine that owned a hobby shop back in 1999, told me his son had been contacted about producing 2,500 sets of the plastic parts for the 2157 kit production run. His son declined because he needed to produce about 3,000 sets just to break even, much less make a profit, but from what I've observed over the last 10 years, I'd say the number of kits released in 1999-2000 was close to 2,500.

Of course the new management may decide to produce more or less, but when I asked directly several months ago about how many would produced, if the Saturn V would now be part of their standard/permanent line up, I never got an answer - and doubt that anyone from Estes will step up now here on YORF and say one way or another.

As a side note I read on one of the forums in the last 30 days that Estes would not be stocking replacement (extra) parts this time around. If anyone needs the nc or fins, much higher quality parts are available from Sirius Rocketry.

One thing that I continue to wonder about is why the latest release of the Saturn V kits are still mainly available online, and not on store shelves. It is interesting that back in 1999, out of 3 local HL's, only 1 store had 1 kit and it was going for $99. The oldest and best stocked local mom and pop had 2 - for $99 each.

Of course it could be that stores don't want to stock the higher priced kits but you'd think they would have at least 1 on the shelf by now.

Randy
www.vernarockets.com

[Initiator001]

If the current ownership follows the standard run of the last owner, there will be about 2,500 kits, total. I didn't get the number of kits from Estes (then or now) or anyone that works there - a friend of mine that owned a hobby shop back in 1999, told me his son had been contacted about producing 2,500 sets of the plastic parts for the 2157 kit production run. His son declined because he needed to produce about 3,000 sets just to break even, much less make a profit, but from what I've observed over the last 10 years, I'd say the number of kits released in 1999-2000 was close to 2,500.




When Estes was looking at releasing the Saturn V kit #2157 in 1999, the marketing department did some research and determined that there was a market for 10,000 kits.

Management couldn't/wouldn't believe there was that much demand for the kit and ordered 5,000 Saturn V kits made. These kits were all bought up by the hobby distributors who asked if more could be made. Estes made another run of Saturn V kits of 2,500 quantity. Again, the hoby distributors ordered all 2,500 and asked for more. Estes made another run of 2,500 kits which the hobby distributors bought out and they now had enough of the kits.

Restarting the Saturn V production line twice must have cut into the profit margins on the kit. I hope they produce enough for the distributors this time. ;)

Bob

[Bill]

One thing that I continue to wonder about is why the latest release of the Saturn V kits are still mainly available online, and not on store shelves. It is interesting that back in 1999, out of 3 local HL's, only 1 store had 1 kit and it was going for $99. The oldest and best stocked local mom and pop had 2 - for $99 each.

Of course it could be that stores don't want to stock the higher priced kits but you'd think they would have at least 1 on the shelf by now.



I seriously doubt that Hobby Lobby will ever carry the kit. It will primarily sell at 40% off to someone with a coupon. Of course I hope I am wrong...


Bill

[Bill]

When Estes was looking at releasing the Saturn V kit #2157 in 1999, the marketing department did some research and determined that there was a market for 10,000 kits.



I wonder what the market is this time. They kind of missed the primary launch window with the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing last summer.


Bill

[Blakkzakk]

I think I'll get one.....even at the $100 mail order price tag. I remember when they came out in either '68 or '69.....I wanted one but I couldn't afford one then.

[Blakkzakk]

Got one! It cost me less than $70, plus about $30 for the aftermarket 4 x 18 + 1 x 24mm cluster kit.