return of the "glory days"?
 

for the past few years, the big dogs (estes, quest, etc) have had either too gimicky (pop-fly)
or just your basic 3fnc, nothing really like the stuff from the 80's, early 90's, and ceartainly even the basic 3fnc now are less than the most basic ones offered in the 70's. but lately, especialy with estes, I've noticed an overall improvement in not just the quality of the kits, but an improvement in the idea as well. bringing back some of the classics, as well as some new ones which i see as future classics, such as the epm-010 i was working on this morning. a couple years ago, the "level 2" kits had plastic fin cans, peel and stick decals, and pre colored parts. now, most level 1 kits have water slide decals. there are even some composite motors and higher skill level kits on the que for release. I'm stoked about how the kit quality is turning out lately, how about all of you?

The tastes of consumers have changed and Estes is conforming to sales trends. Accept that. The main thing that has happened is a strong polarization of rocketry to a model where HPR and thus LMR is linked to clubs by hard regulations that kill growth hard. The Consumer level has no such self-imposed throttling or regulations and folks are free to purchase low end model rockets nationwide and in many other countries with no permits or hassles.

Guess who helps write those regulations? Estes and Quest.

Jerry

i was speaking more of the kit quality, rather than regulations and red tape.

Hey I thought these are the glory days!
Now I have money to buys stuff and a lot more different stuff to go around.

I too like what I see, and for the first time in practically decades, I am actually buying new Estes kits, rather than mostly scratch-building (or buying old classics on eBay).

I like the return of balsa nose cones, although I do wonder what is going on with the Super Alpha, having a plastic nose cone, while the package says it has a balsa one?

Overall, I think Estes is doing a lot more exciting things than most of us could have ever imagined.

I still continue to add to my collection of Semroc kits, but it is really good to have Estes back in the game again. :)

My understanding is that, mostly due to the high price of balsa, Estes is going back to plastic nose cones whenever they can. Personally, I like the plastic nose cones - they are easy to finish and they stand up to punishment better than balsa. Far as I'm concerned - it's all good! :D

I can respect that. Human joints do wear out!

I like balsa for some "nostalgic" kits, but plastic is hands down easier to finish. no sealer, and with fins, you can fake no sealer, but for a nose cone, not so much. but i still like to use balsa tube adapters, as they seem to hold up better.

Argh - don't remind me - my left shoulder is gone and I'm gonna have to have a joint replacement later this fall - and I'm only 54!!! :(

Some plastic cones are easier to finish. Some, with a bad mold seam, are a pain. Balsa cones can be sanded to a different shape; there is less flexibility with plastic ones. So my answer is "it depends."


Bill