Estes Date stamp on kits
 

When did Estes start doing a date stamp on their kits?

It's a good way to keep their Chinese underlings in check.

I started seeing them perhaps three years ago when kits (and RTFs and launch sets and such) changed from saying "Made in China" to "Made in Guangdong, China". I have a mini-motor RTF called a Sky Duster here under my desk with a stamp of 09/11. More recently they've been including day as well.

I don't mind the date stamps, except . . .

When the embossed stamp is over the inked image on the decals!

They started doing this at the same time the government made them check the lead content in the parachutes and nosecones. Estes figured that if kids were going to be eating their kits they better date stamp them to be sure the kids were eating fresh kits. ;)

Too funny! :chuckle:

So use before or freeze by date?