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  #1  
Old 11-12-2009, 03:43 AM
gerryfortin gerryfortin is offline
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Default Top 20 Estes Exotic Kits

Simple question. If you had to pick the finest Estes exotic design kits for a Top 20 list, which would they be? Hope that you can share the reasoning behind the selection.

I can start with the USS Andromeda (#1273), S.S.Cassiopeia (#1369), Alien Explorer (#1372) and the Excalibur (#1339). There are other favorites also but hope to hear alternative opinions.

After awhile, building 3FN and 4FN rocket kits loses its attraction as I become bored easily unless attempting challenging projects. Building the LOC Legacy (my first true mid power kit) was interesting from the epoxy perspective and learning fillet technique. But it is a 3FN.

Working on the S.S. Cassiopeia, for example, takes careful planning and detailed construction techniques, let alone finishing the model with the artcard colors and proper decal application. I may be more of a "modeler" than a "rocketeer".
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Last edited by gerryfortin : 11-12-2009 at 05:06 AM.
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  #2  
Old 11-12-2009, 09:00 AM
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I'd have to look through the catalogs to do justice to the list, but the Mars Lander, Interceptor, and Orbital Transport would be near the top.
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  #3  
Old 11-12-2009, 10:00 AM
rstaff3 rstaff3 is offline
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I like the Strike Fighter
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  #4  
Old 11-12-2009, 10:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
I'd have to look through the catalogs to do justice to the list, but the Mars Lander, Interceptor, and Orbital Transport would be near the top.

In an attempt to help with a one stop listing of the Estes "Exotics" here's a list of those kits deemed "exotic" by Scott in his kit listing:

1338 Space Transporter America
1369 S.S. Cassiopeia
15 Sprite
20 Mars Snooper
1224 24 Gyroc
32 Starlight
1233 33 Trident
1242 42 Orbital Transport
1243 43 Mars Lander
1250 50 Interceptor
0653 KC-4 Starship Vega
0806 Pegasus
0816 Wolverine
0821 Firecat
0861 SARK
0873 Hawkeye
0881 Mini Mars Lander
0895 Solar Warrior
1220 Mars Snooper II
1259 Orbital Transport
1281 Alien Invader
1282 Photon Disruptor
1283 USS Atlantis
1288 Starlab
1289 Odyssey
1296 Satellite Interceptor
1297 Solar Sailer
1320 Starship Vega (rev)
1339 Space Cruiser Excalibur
1341 World Federation Star Probe
1342 Starblazer X-20
1350 Black Hole Space Probe
1358 F-61 Starfighter
1359 Orbital Interceptor
1361 Skytracer
1364 Falcon Commander
1366 Star Speeder
1367 Vindicator
1371 Starship Nova
1372 Alien Explorer
1374 Attack Craft Orion
1375 Scorpius
1376 NASA Pegasus
1383 Hyperion
1386 Asteroid Explorer
1902 Space Station Aquarius
1903 Xarconian Destroyer
1909 USSF Fireflash
1914 Galactic Taxi
1920 Starship Excalibur
1927 Aries SST
1928 Manta Bomber
1929 Stealth
1931 Delta Wedge
1939 Nebulon Warrior
1941 Fox Fire
1954 Starbird
1971 Nimbus
1973 Interceptor II
1974 Explorer
1988 Argosy
1999 Corsair
2000 Voyager II
2003 SDI Satellite
2010 Star Rider
2015 Strike Fighter
2016 Explorer Aquarius
2033 Trident II
2034 Deep Space Transport
2036 Super Vega
2037 National Aerospace Plane
2038 Alien Space Probe
2039 Space Racer
2043 Photon Probe
2044 Solar Sailer II
2046 Surveyor
2051 Solar Probe
2052 Photon Disruptor II
2053 Black Hawk
2063 Mars Snooper
2068 Grey Hawk
2113 Starbase Starcruiser
2133 Astrosat LSX
7010 National Aerospace Plane
I removed all "Sci-Fi" and "Odd Ball" (Star Wars, Buck Rogers, Goonis, etc.) kits from the list but I guess they could be called "Exotic" as well. I have my own "kit listing" that improves on Scott's listing somewhat. I been working on it on and off for 8 or 9 years. It's about 80 to 85% complete, it has body tubes, nose cones, recommended motors, etc. listed for each kit. It's a rather large file but if anyone is interested, PM me with your email addy and I'll be glad to send you a copy.
Gerryfortin, my apologies if I highjacked your thread.
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  #5  
Old 11-12-2009, 10:17 AM
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Some of my favorites:

Explorer Aquarius
Manta Bomber
Interceptor
Scorpius
Corsair
Satellite Interceptor

(Not necessarily in that order)
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  #6  
Old 11-12-2009, 10:25 AM
Vanel Vanel is offline
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My top Estes Exotica (like that word, btw) would be:

1) Mars Snooper - To my 8 year old self, this was THE rocket; especially the way it was portrayed on the cover of the 1966 catalog.

2) Orbital Transport - It made boost gliders look sexy. A pain in my younger years to build, but a heck of a lot of fun to fly!

3) Interceptor - A must have; it reminded me of my favorite jet, the F-104 Starfighter.

If we extend into the Centuri "exotica":

4) The Orion - always wanted one; it exemplified Centuri in the same way as the Mars Snooper did Estes.

5) The Quasar - It looked like it came right out of one of the late 1950 science fiction movies I watched on TV. I loved the "ram jet engines" on the fin tips!
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  #7  
Old 11-12-2009, 10:28 AM
jetlag jetlag is offline
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Let's not forget the Trident. I still fire mine, and it's about 38 or so years old. I second the Mars Lander, Interceptor, and the Orbital Transport (an all-time fav.).

I'd like to add the Starship Vega and the Mars Snooper (and the Snooper II, if ya like). Beautiful, and nothing really like them in the 'other' rocket company's offerings.

The Scissor-Wing was a hoot, also.

The Solar Sailor and the Deep Space Transport are neat because of their design, too.

Oh, there are several more, but, like Gerry said, I look forward to what you other folks like!

Allen
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  #8  
Old 11-12-2009, 11:45 AM
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Here is my 20:
1) Mars Lander (and should be in EVERYONES top five)
2) Orbital Transport (Very close to first place and also should be in EVERYONES top five)
3) Astron Interceptor
4) Manta Bomber
5) Astron Skydart
6) Astron Trident
7) Mars Snooper II (NOT original Mars Snooper)
8) Starship Nova
9) Star Speeder
10) Skytracer
11) Scorpius
12) F61 Starfighter
13) Rigel 3
14) Scissor-Wing Transport
15) SS Cassiopeia
16) Astron Starlight
17) Attack Craft Orion
18) Battlestar Galactica Viper (would be MUCH higher if fuselage/engine intakes were correct to "fantasy-scale" rectangular shape)
19) Space Transporter America
20) Andromeda
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  #9  
Old 11-12-2009, 12:04 PM
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cas2047 cas2047 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveR
In an attempt to help with a one stop listing of the Estes "Exotics" here's a list of those kits deemed "exotic" by Scott in his kit listing:



Very nice extended list Dave! I'm not sure I could pick just 20 from it.
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  #10  
Old 11-12-2009, 12:52 PM
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Ram Jet, Andromeda, Strikefighter, Nigtghtwing, and Mars Lander
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