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Old 04-24-2013, 07:48 AM
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mojo1986 mojo1986 is offline
Old Canuck Modeller
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kingston, CANADA
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The earliest Estes parachutes were 10" square and made of plain red plastic film. They came with 4 round stickers to attach the shroud lines, but believe it or not, no shroud lines (I guess you were supposed to use whatever you had at hand). These were used from inception to about 1963 or thereabouts.

The second generation Estes 'chutes were the first variety of their famous checkerboards. They had their logo from that era, which was a stylized spaceship, printed at the centre, along with Estes' address (no zip code). They came in 5 color combinations and in 3 sizes...........12", 18" and 24". These were used from approximately 1963 to 1967 or so. The old timers will remember that they came with both white and red shroud lines.

Estes third generation parachutes were also checkerboards. The new Estes logo (oval and orbiter) was prominent at the centre and included their 81240 zip code. They came in the same color combinations but added a fourth size, the 8". This type also came with red shroud lines as well as white (at least for a couple of years, after which only white shroud lines were provided). This variety was sold from about 1967 to whenever they ran out (as late as 1970 or 1971 in kits). This variety had a problem with sticking and ink transfer if the 'chute was very old when first opened.

Estes striped parachutes began their run in about 1970 or 1971. They featured the new Estes logo (oval with large 'ESTES' and missile and moon to left side) at the centre. Initially they were orange/white/black, but there have been many color variations over the years. They came in 12", 18" and 24" sizes, but the 8" size was dropped. Eventually Estes introduced a 10" size in this design.

I'm sure the above description is not comprehensive, and other longtime rocketeers can chime in with their recollections and corrections.

Joe
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