Welcome to the thread! I’ll be posting on the build quite often.I'm looking forward to keeping an eye on this build. It's been a long time since I have seen anyone do a build thread on this kit.
I have a few of these kits. Your build thread might make me think about building one of them. Thanks for doing this build.
I anticipate it will take longer than the normal rocket build due to all the parts and finishing required, but I know it will be fun for sure. Glad to have you following along and you can count on a lot of pictures along the way!Looking forward to this build. I built one of these back when these kits were still on store shelves and it was a fun and complex build. Nothing hard, just a lot of parts and a LOT of sanding an tweaking to get things to fit together. After all, Estes is no Revell or Tamiya model company.
I have another one that I have been staring at for a couple of years now as I thought it would make a great build thread for the forums so thank you for doing this.
Tons of pics please.
One of the older hands can chime in if I'm wrong, but I think this kit actually came out in the late 70's, before the actual shuttle flew.it must really be old if it’s white on the box!!
One of the older hands can chime in if I'm wrong, but I think this kit actually came out in the late 70's, before the actual shuttle flew.
It did indeed! The kit was first available in 1976! Unfortunately there are no dates of this kit to be found. The only great clue is that it came with a small red vile containing contact cement. The seller informed me that he thinks this vile was only given out in the first run. It is definitely pre-Enterprise as the OG decal sheet has no Shuttle names.One of the older hands can chime in if I'm wrong, but I think this kit actually came out in the late 70's, before the actual shuttle flew.
Definitely early 80s pre-first flight of the Shuttle and pre-Enterprise. Kit may be from late 70s. Unfortunately there are no dates printed on anything. The only clue is the small red vile of contact cement. The seller thinks Estes may have only included it during the first run (76’).it must really be old if it’s white on the box!!
Wow beautiful job!I enjoyed the build of this one.
What a collection!I have built a few over the years. Some kits, some scratch. Ran a thin piece of tape down the side of the SRB and ET so I can glue them after painting.
Glad to hear that you did strips of tape and painted before gluing the SRBs on! That’s my plan for this too!I have built a few over the years. Some kits, some scratch. Ran a thin piece of tape down the side of the SRB and ET so I can glue them after painting.
Glad to hear that you did strips of tape and painted before gluing the SRBs on! That’s my plan for this too!I have built a few over the years. Some kits, some scratch. Ran a thin piece of tape down the side of the SRB and ET so I can glue them after painting.
Awesome thank you! Definitely you should build yours too!I built one of these when it was first released in late 70's. Flew it several times, always fun. Have recently acquired one of these kits that is now sitting in my build pile. Following your build brings back memories and gets me thinking about breaking out the kit I have. Following with interest!
Thank you!Looking great so far!
Thank you I’ve always wanted to do a rocket powered RC version, but never did. This is at least rocket powered.Mine flew great many times. I never realized how oversized the orbiter wings were, I don't feel so bad about cheating with my R/C orbiter wings now. Nice to see a build thread on this.
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