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  #1  
Old 10-17-2008, 07:01 PM
Rocket Doctor Rocket Doctor is offline
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Default Estes Announces Releases For Summer 2009

Hee is the list of releases for the summer of 2009 from estes
BALSA nose cones, laser cut balsa fins, water slide decals

Coming Summer 2009 From Estes

3001 ARV Condor

3002 Aero Dart

3004 America

3005 Arrow 300

3006 Astron Nighthawk

3007 Astron Space Plane

3008 Astron X-Ray

3041 Bllue Bird Zero

3010 Eagle Power

3011 Egg Crate

3014 Fly8ing Saucer

3015 Groove Tube

3017 Micro Probe

3018 Mini Dactyl

3019 Nova

3020 Odyssey

3021 Optima

3023 Pegasus

3024 Phoenix Bird

3028 Sky Devil

3029 SST Shuttle

3030 Starship Vega

3032 Stellar Phonton Probe

3034 USS Ameerica

3035 -24 Bug
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  #2  
Old 10-19-2008, 08:45 AM
Green Dragon Green Dragon is offline
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These are going to make be broke, you know

you know, if might sound strange, but the one that most got my attention on the list was the Phoenix Bird .

One I've wanted for sometime, and the chrome decals would be hard to clone.

Will be looking forward to these ( of course some are announced right after I cloned one, or just ordered parts, or just cut fins by hand, etc etc... )

waiting to see which make it to pruduction and shelves... same as the shrox kits, etc.

~ AL
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  #3  
Old 10-19-2008, 10:33 AM
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sandman sandman is offline
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The Astron Spaceplane has me a bit confused as a "bring back".

I thought that design was patented and owned by Vern Estes and John Shutz.

It says that right on the decal that cones with the SEMROC kit.
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  #4  
Old 10-19-2008, 10:45 AM
mperdue mperdue is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sandman
The Astron Spaceplane has me a bit confused as a "bring back".

I thought that design was patented and owned by Vern Estes and John Shutz.

It says that right on the decal that cones with the SEMROC kit.

That doesn't mean it wasn't part of the intellectual property that went with the company when they sold it.

Mario
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  #5  
Old 10-19-2008, 11:52 AM
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jj94 jj94 is offline
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Nice!

But what will happen to the clones that Semroc sells? For example, the SST Shuttle. Will they stop producing their clone since Estes will rerelease it?
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  #6  
Old 10-19-2008, 01:42 PM
mperdue mperdue is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jj94
Nice!

But what will happen to the clones that Semroc sells? For example, the SST Shuttle. Will they stop producing their clone since Estes will rerelease it?

Not if people keep buying them. I see more clones and SLS kits in Semroc's future. Maybe even some new designs...

One of the many nice things about the Semroc clones is that they use the original body tube sizes. They are often not exact clones as many have various improvements to the design; the Saturn 1B is a good example - it looks the same when it's done but there are several differences in the actual build.

Mario
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  #7  
Old 10-19-2008, 03:16 PM
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hcmbanjo hcmbanjo is offline
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Default Estes Announces Releases for 2009

I just noticed something interesting on the Semroc site.
Go to the "Classics 1953 - 1995" page. Then, hit the "Queue" button to see their upcoming kits.
17 out of the first 18 listed are the new Estes Classic Flyer re-issues! Coincidence?

On the Semroc Home Page they say:
"We are at a celebration and will resume shipping on October 20 (Monday.) More details this weekend..."
A celebration?
Maybe Semroc is handling the nose cone and fin fabrication for Estes. Just a thought - There is just too many ties here.


Hans "Chris' Michielssen
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  #8  
Old 10-19-2008, 03:45 PM
rraeford rraeford is offline
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Like many of you I have regarded this announcement from Estes with skepticism. But for the moment let's assume that the kits will be released/rereleased/brought back.

IMHO, the specific models they've picked are a bit odd. For example, why so many garden variety Centuri designs? Do we really need a rerelease of the Star Trooper? Or the Nova? For that matter, why the Chuter 2? Instead, why not bring back the beautiful Stiletto or Black Widow?

Don't get me wrong, I applaud the effort. But why not "bring back" the Estes Shrike? Or the Avenger? And with the soon-to-be-available A10-0T, why no Beta or Midget?

As to classic Estes fanyasy designs, why no Andromeda (no plastic parts needed), Trident (same), or Mars Snooper? From a profitabilty standpoint, there are many 3 or 4FNC kits they could easily rerelease without extensive retooling/remaking of parts - like the Goblin, Cherokee D and others that regularly fetch handsome sums on eBay.

I'm just curious. I realize they can't bring them all back but some of the choices just seem... as I said...odd.

My two cents.

Oh BTW, and I'm certain I'm not alone in this by ANY means, but the reason I agonize over part sizes and tube lengths is because I want my clones to as absolutely close to the originals as possible, so no BT-50-sized Centuri ST-8/ST-10 redos for me. I don't mean to be rude about it but thanks to Semroc I don't have to settle for "close enough."

rraeford
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  #9  
Old 10-19-2008, 03:59 PM
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hcmbanjo hcmbanjo is offline
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Default Estes Announces Releases for 2009

I stand corrected - Semroc is at an Apollo 7 reunion launch ("a celebration") this weekend.
But the Semroc queue listing of upcoming kits is still food for thought.

Hans "Chris" Michielssen
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  #10  
Old 10-19-2008, 06:46 PM
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Bob Thomas Bob Thomas is offline
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Default Clones Still Better

I know I am not alone. As was similarly stated, I can't imagine a Long Tom , Groove Tube, or Excalibur 2 (to name just a few in my clone collection) stuffed into existing Estes Tube sizes and one size fits all cones.

If they do follow up on this Classic Series, I will buy every one for sure. But I will build the entire Centuri line with appropriate ST series tubes and cones.

Of the over a hundred bagged kits I own, few can ever give me the joy that I get reproducing a classic rocket from available (or best available) parts. I think thats why I'm not building them as quickly as clones.

SEMROC (or a group of like minded partners - maybe YORF investors) should buy Estes and return the soul to the product [and restore Vern and Gleda's mojo to the company name].

If only I was Warren Buffett....... I would have a lot of jobs for you guys..
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