Rocketry Planet

PENROSE, Colorado USA — Estes is kicking off 2009 with a throw back to the old school, announcing their Classic Series, due for release in the spring of next year.  The Classic Series brings back your favorite models from the 70's and 80's, fondly remembered by many as the Golden Years of model rocketry.

Introduced at the iHobby Expo in Chicago earlier this month, the Classic Series is sure to create some excitement. Estes has gone back in their archives, digging for old kit designs and pulled out old drawings and specification sheets, to bring these designs back for all modelers to enjoy, both old and new.

Each kit has been reproduced and updated while still retaining the original model's classic lines.  According to the flyer introducing the series, the kits will enjoy Estes high quality body tubes, balsa nose cones and laser cut balsa fins, and all decals will be high quality water slide decals with the exception of the 3024 Phoenix Bird, which will have self stick foil decals as did the original kit.

Estes Classic Series is due to arrive in Spring 2009.

Look for these new Classic Series kits in early 2009:

Alien Invader
Skill Level 2 $19.99
L: 19.8” (50.3 cm) Recovery: 12” (30 cm) parachute
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 1.62 oz (46 g) Based on: Estes 1281
ALT: 700’ (183 m) Futuristic Alien Warship.

3009 Chuter 2
Skill Level 1 $19.99
L: 18.5” (47 cm) Recovery: Dual 12” (30 cm) parachutes
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 1.2 oz (62.4 g) Based on: Centuri KC-16
ALT: 900’ (274 m) High performance sport model.

3012 Excalibur II
Skill Level 2 $22.99
L: 28.2” (71.6 cm) Recovery: 12” (30 cm) parachute
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: B6-0 & B6-6 (FF), C6-0 & C6-7
WT: 2.2 oz (62.4 g) Based on: Centuri KF-5
ALT: 1600’ (488 m) Sleek 2-Stage model.

3013 Flutter-By
Skill Level 1 $12.99
L: 7.7” (19.6 cm) Recovery: Tumble
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 1 oz. (28.3 g) Based on: Centuri KA-9
ALT: 1000’ (305 m) Unique spin action and tumble recovery.

3016 Long Tom
Skill Level 2 $24.99
L: 33.6” (85.3 cm) Recovery: 18” (46 cm) parachute
D: 1.32” (22.5 mm) Engines: B6-0 & B6-6 (FF), C6-0 & C6-7
WT: 3.2 oz (91 g) Based on: Centuri KC-4 & 5064
ALT: 1100’ (335 m) Can be flown as single or 2-stage.

3022 Payloader II
Skill Level 1 $19.99
L: 17” (43.2 cm) Recovery: 12” (30 cm) parachute
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 1.2 oz (34 g) Based on: Centuri KC-20 & 5080
ALT: 1000’ (305 m) Great beginner kit. See-thru payload section.

3024 Phoenix Bird
Skill Level 1 $21.99
L: 23” (58.4 cm) Recovery: 18” (46 cm) parachute
D: 1.32” (22.5 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 3.4 oz (96.4 g) Based on: Centuri 5407
ALT: 550’ (168 m) Through-the-tube fin assembly.

Photon Disruptor
Skill Level 2 $19.99
L: 24.5” (62.2 cm) Recovery: 18: (46 cm) parachute
D: 1.32” (33.5 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 2.4 oz (67 g) Based on: Estes 1282
ALT: 750’ (229 m) Unique fin design.

3026 Photon Probe
Skill Level 2 $19.99
L: 23” (58.4 cm) Recovery: 18” (46 cm) parachute
D: 1.32” (33.5 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 2.4 oz (68 g) Based on: Estes 2043
ALT: 750’ (229 m) Cool futuristic design.

3027 Satellite Interceptor
Skill Level 2 $23.99
L: 22.5” (57.2 cm) Recovery: 12” (30 cm) parachute
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 1.38 oz (39 g) Based on: Estes 1296
ALT: 750’ (229 m) Cool futuristic design. Realistic decals.

3031 Star Trooper
Skill Level 1 $10.99
L: 7.3” (19.6 cm) Recovery: Streamer
D: .54” (13.7 mm) Engines: 1/4A3-3T (FF), 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, A10-3T
WT: .5 oz (14 g) Based on: Centuri KM-3
ALT: 700’ (213 m) Super easy to build. Great beginner kit.

3033 Twister
Skill Level 1 $14.99
L: 13.8” (35 cm) Recovery: 12” (30 cm) parachute
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 1.1 oz (31 g) Based on: Centuri KA-2 & 5002
ALT: 1100’ (335 m) Unique spin action. Great beginner kit.

3036 Marauder
Skill Level 2 $19.99
L: 20.9” (53.1 cm) Recovery: Tumble/booster, 12” (30 cm) Parachute
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: B6-0 & B6-6 or C6-0 & C6-7
WT: 1.5 oz (43 g) Based on: Estes 1922
ALT: 1800’ (550 m) Cool 2-stage rocket. High performance. Payload.

3037 Hornet
Skill Level 1 $17.99
L: 19.1” (48.5 cm) Recovery: 12” (30 cm) parachute
D: 1.32” (33.5 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 1.8 oz (51 g) Based on: Centuri 5341
ALT: 775’ (236 m) Sleek 2-color sport model.

3038 Thunder Hawk
Skill Level 1 $12.99
L: 21.2” (53.8 cm) Recovery: Streamer
D: .74” (19 mm) Engines: A8-3 (FF), B6-4, C6-5
WT: 1 oz (28 g) Based on: Centuri 5338
ALT: 1000’ (305 m) A great performer and simple to build.

3039 Thunder Bird
Skill Level 1 $17.99
L: 40.75” (104 cm) Recovery: 12” (30 cm) parachute.
D: .98” (25 mm) Engines: B6-4 (FF), C6-5, C6-7
WT: 2.7 oz (77 g) Based on: Centuri 5339
ALT: 750’ (229 m) Quick and easy assembly. Huge waterslide decals.

3040 Thunder Roc
Skill Level 3 $29.99
Spec:
L: 59.75” (152 cm) Recovery: Dual 18” (46 cm) parachutes
D: 1.64” (41.6 mm) Engines: D12-5 (FF), E9-6
WT: 6.5 oz (184 g) Based on: Centuri 5340
ALT: 1050’ (320 m) Huge, easy to build, rocket.

All prices shown are suggested retail price.  (FF) indicates first flight recommendations.

Coming next summer:

ARV Condor (3001), Aero Dyne (3002), America (3004), Arrow 300 (3005), Astron Nighthawk (3006), Astron Space Plane (3007), Astron X-Ray (3008), Blue Bird Zero (3041), Eagle Power (3010), Egg Crate (3011), Flying Saucer (3014), Groove Tube (3015), Micro Probe (3017), Mini Dactyl (3018), Nova (3019), Odyssey (3020), Optima (3021), Pegasus (3023), Phoenix Bird (3024), Sky Devil (3028), SST Shuttle (3029), Starship Vega (3030), Stellar Photon Probe (3032), U.S.S. America (3034), X-24 Bug (3035)

Reader comments:

#1 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

This is great! The Photon Disruptor was my favorite rocket as a kid, and I still had one when I got back into the sport a few years ago. It was the first launch of my "born again" status, but also the first casualty!

I have been wanting to build another one, and do a 29mm powered upscale, but they are far and few between on thiefbay, and I always got outbid!

Bexclent on 10-23-2008 04:42 PM

#2 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

Quote:

This is great! The Photon Disruptor was my favorite rocket as a kid, and I still had one when I got back into the sport a few years ago. It was the first launch of my "born again" status, but also the first casualty!

I have been wanting to build another one, and do a 29mm powered upscale, but they are far and few between on thiefbay, and I always got outbid!

Thats weird that you cant find one, I just picked one up from my local hobby shop not to long ago for $12

Matt on 10-23-2008 04:56 PM

#3 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

Is this a joke or someone's wish list? This is not the Estes I know.

Early Starts on 10-23-2008 06:59 PM

#4 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

Too bad they didn't roll out 1970's and 1980's pricing as well.

ddmobley on 10-23-2008 10:24 PM

#5 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

Always loved the Alien Invader. May have to pick one up. Too bad the re-released version uses a "standard nosecone" instead of the unique PNC-50CA.

MarkM on 10-23-2008 11:17 PM

#6 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

LOL Yes this is estes it was a unexpected surprise hopefully this is a turn for the better for estes. I am looking forward to these great models.

flyemhighrockets on 10-24-2008 01:32 AM

#7 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

Most of these appear to be Centuri kits. That's OK but what about some other great Estes kit such as Trident, 1/70 Scale Saturn 1B, Omega, etc.

mrstevea86 on 10-24-2008 09:35 AM

#8 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

Very cool! I can't wait!

Loopy on 10-24-2008 10:47 AM

#9 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

Quote:

Most of these appear to be Centuri kits. That's OK but what about some other great Estes kit such as Trident, 1/70 Scale Saturn 1B, Omega, etc.

I have no idea how these kits were chosen, but I would think that if they are received well and people write in expressing interest in other kits and name those kits specifically, Estes should at least consider releasing them.

Steve_Shannon on 10-24-2008 12:52 PM

#10 Re: Article: Estes to roll out Classic Series in early 2009

This is great news. Maybe Estes is finally starting to listen to their customers after all. There are other kits I would like to see them bring back but this is certainly a step in the right direction. Must be they are tired of being shown up by Semroc all the time!

Rocketron

rocketron on 10-24-2008 03:44 PM

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