Hey Romey,
It is Romey? Sorry if its not, just remember you from the rmr days and had dealing with you ... be prepaired to get PMs from Terry D and Jerry (DOC #20023788434) asking you what my last name is
OK, Miestro drum roll please ....................
The black kit featureed in that photo is a prototype Laser-X. It was one of the concepts but it finally made it to market under the form seen in the photo directly under Lee crouching in his business suit.
I have not recieved and answer as to why a prototype model was featued in a photo used in a retail catalog, but this information comes DIRECTLY from the Piesters and not some third or forth or twenty seventh party.
So there you have it, mystery solved although it opens up even mode questons...
Was the prototype Laser-X just used to have a rocket sitting on the Servo Launcher? Maybe they felt that showing an empty Servo Launcher was bad and have something on it that would acccent but not take full attention awau from the launcher. Afterall, this black rocket is unrecognizable and for almost 40 years, no one even noticed it!
I guess it did its job being black and innocuous.
Well there you have it, I know its like what the (#$* are you saying that is a prototype Laser-X... it looks nothing like the retail version.
Well I could say the same about all the scores of test Astron Space Planes tested before the final retail version was released. Also, there are 8 inch reels of 16mm film floating around showing prototype testing of Estes models from the 1960s where the models flown look close but not exactly what finally made it to retail.
No I don't know where these films are 'floating' at and after the 'You stole my Cineroc' squeeze play orchistrated by JI and MD, I am keeping my mouth shut completely about what I know about. Heck, I don't even own a rocket. I just do slot cars, and Everquest 2!
Thanks all for playing.
Bob