I have completed a clone of another Estes kit thanks to Semroc and Excelsior Rocketry.

The Estes Skybolt was a 'D' powered BT-55 size kit that recovered with a streamer.

The Skybolt was first featured in the 1980 Estes catalog and made it's last appearance in the 1984 catalog.

Bob

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Always liked that one.
Too bad you can't still get the D11-9 engines that came out the same year for that model.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

I wasn't sure about the Skybolt at first as the fins reminded me of 'reversed' Big Bertha fins.

After having finished it, the model looks pretty good.

Bob

looks great !

I still have my vintage Skybolt - been debating to restore it or leave as is - after seeing the finish on yours, I might have to sand her down and repaint / restore.

inspiration

~ AL

Yep, still have mine too, but the decal is gone. Eventually I'll have to get another to put on it.

[edit: 3/18/2011: I now have an original SkyBolt decal sheet! ]

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Roy
nar12605

Nicely done. This one is on my short list.

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Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Groonie Der V 1/2

Gordy/Excelsior Rocketry can make it for you.

Bob

Wow! The Skybolt was one of my winter 2007 projects! If I can figure out how to post a pic, I will. Flies great on an Estes C11-5, too! Oh, wait....The Big E doesn't make the C11-5 anymore...

GREAT job Bob!

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Got a Caribbean soul I can barely control.....

Really nice, Bob.

Never paid any attention to the Skybolt before but I particularly like the font on the S and T and the funky, windowpane roll pattern.

I noticed on the catalog photo and original decal pattern there was a prominent Estes logo. Any reason you didn't include it?

Steve

Thanks, George.

I'm glad to hear the Skybolt will fly on C11-5s. I didn't want to start off by flying on a D12-7 so I went went to six different hobby shops in the San Diego area to see if any still had some C11-5s in stock. I found two packs at a craft/hobby shop and bought them both. The owner even cut the price on each pack by $4.50. SWEET!

I look forward to flying the Skybolt sometime this month.

How high do you estimate the model flew on the C11-5s and did the model incur much/any damage using streamer recovery?

Bob