This will the most talked and joked about model since The Dude!

I agree with your opinion of all-plastic RTF model rockets--in *some* cases. But properly-designed ones perform well. The Estes Firing Line RTFs (see: http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/ca...s74/74est8.html )--I had the X-15 and the Vampire (later re-issued, in purple plastic [*groan*] as the Jinx; I always wanted, but never had, a Firing Line Banshee)--and they flew high. So did my RTF Cox Honest John, X-15, Little Joe II, Space Shuttle America, Saturn IB, and Saturn V (see: http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/ca...2/72coxcat.html [as with the Estes Firing Line Banshee, I wanted--but never had--their Nike-Zeus]).

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

My understanding is that the molds for the Banshee were lost or damaged and that is why that model never appeared again.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

Whether you like RTFs or not, the quality of what Estes has been doing with these scale plastic models is just phenomenal. The printing on these is far higher quality than almost any other plastic space models produced, flying or not. Bill Stine has a level of understanding of the processes involved that just far exceeds anyone who's been at Estes before. And the Langfords are big time scale modelers, so the standard expected of these models is outstanding scale modeler standard. Again, just way higher than any thing we've seen previously. And just orders of magnitude higher than almost anyone producing plastic non-flying space models/toys. If you don't like flying RTFs that's fine. But give credit where credit is due. These are amazingly well produced scale models and I am really happy Estes is making them. Can't wait to see the SpaceX stuff and whatever comes after that.

Steve

It may have been lost in the fire that reached the Estes plant, which also destroyed some other tooling. But:

With today's new Estes fin cans, fins, and nose cones (the ones for BT-50 and the 1.00" tubing [the 1.00" tube is used in the Dragonite/Flash kits]), a partially-plastic Firing Line RTF Banshee of the same size (1.00" diameter: http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/ca...s74/74est8.html ) as the original (it could be done for the 0.94" diameter Vampire too, using BT-50 tubing [the original X-15 molds might still exist and be usable or serviceable]) could be made and sold; only the Banshee (and Vampire) planform fins would need to be new. The Banshee and Vampire would have black top-layer body tubes, black plastic fin assemblies and nose cones, and would have the same Firing Line stickers (they could be vinyl instead of the originals' paper ones).

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

I agree regarding the quality of the Estes plastic RTF models. I was really surprised to see the Saturn V in person. I am looking forward to the arrival of the SLS. As for the new one, I may get one just to have it.

The MPC Titan IIIC and Vostok plastic model kits (see: https://www.google.com/search?q=MPC...Q4dUDCAo&uact=5 ) have been re-issued (they're available on Ebay, too), but without a few of the original ones' "optional flight version parts" (such as clear plastic fins and 25 mm kraft paper "inner liner" tubes [which are readily available from Quest Aerospace: https://www.questaerospace.com/ ]) that enable them to be built as flyable model rockets. They're a bit heavy, but sufficiently powerful motors--such as the Estes C5-3 and the Aerotech 18 mm composite propellant "D" motors (including re-loadable ones)--that can loft them well are available today (a Nomex felt liner inside the 25 mm tubes' upper ends is recommended [especially with Aerotech "D" motors] to keep the ejection charge heat from soaking into the plastic there and making it "sag").

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

The SLS main body tube is cardboard, but it's thick wall and very strong - and you'd never know it wasn't plastic just by looking at the exterior (it's pretty obvious when you look inside). I think the strap-ons are also paper body tubes based on their slightly flexi feel although again you'd never know by looking (and you can't see inside them).

Overall, the SLS RTF is very nice - although it doesn't hold the kind of appeal that the Saturn V has.

GH - RTF rockets have their place - mainly that they get young people involved that are not into kit building. As far as I'm concerned, anything that gets more young people interested in rocketry is a good thing.

To date I'm the one that designed the Estes Display\Flyable, Saturn V, NASA SLS and the New Shepard.


John Boren Estes R&D

So John, how does the Estes brass feel about the 'sex toy' jokes about the New Shepard model?
The must have seen it coming - heck the jokes where made about the real thing.
So, is it 'any publicity is good'?