Vintage Estes Manta Bomber
 

After building a few newly released Estes kits, I decided to get back to building one of my vintage kits. I remember seeing the Manta Bomber for the first time at my local Play Co. in the mid 80s. I bought the kit but really struggled to get her together. I can honestly say that was the toughest kit at the time for me to build. I finally got her together, not perfect but she did fly. When I got back into this hobby in 2007, I was shocked this kit was no longer being made. I guess this kit was only produced for 2 years and that is why it is hard to find. I was lucky and cloned it a while back but always wanted to build the original. Any way, this kit was built out of the bag, die cut parts and all. I don't mind the extra work needed for die cut parts and it sure beats laser burnt marks everywhere. What makes this kit tough is trying to line everything up for a good fit. I used good ole Elmers glue since it dries slow and gives me time to line up the parts. I brushed on 2 coats of Brodak sealer, waited one hour and sanded. Since this is old balsa, I decided to brush on one more coat of sealer and sand for a grain free finish. Not bad for just 2 sandings. I built this old school with no primer or fillers but wish I would have sealed the inside of the Jt-80 rings. The inside does not have glassine coating, so the first couple coats of gloss paint where a little rough. Luckily I am using old formula Krylon so I could sand pretty quick and recoat anytime. She is ready for decals, and I don't mind the spirals or other minor imperfections.

All painted, will get the decals on next week when I get back from work.

I sold one of these kits a few years back for a great profit and wish I hadn't.
Still have the original I built.

Such a nice kit, great job! I love the Nebula Art facecard. I have an original nosecone from the sci fi designers special but would love to find one of these.

That's a neat model indeed. Thanks for sharing.

I have to laugh at the face card saying "flights up to 1000 feet". With that much drag even if it comes in at 1.76 ounces, it isn't going to get there. I'll give it 700 feet (on a good day) on a C6-5, and maybe 850 on a Q-Jet C12-6. I'd be a little afraid of shredding it on a Q-Jet D16.

An Alpha is pushing it to get to 1000 feet on a C6-5.

1000' sells rockets! :)

They're also test flying them in the thin air of Colorado. YMMV.

Yeah, that affects them, but not that much. I've actually done some comparing with the same motor/model/altimeter here near sea level and in Santa Fe, New Mexico where my Dad lives (which is at 7000 feet). The affect is noticeable (which is why I was hoping to take a shot at a couple of NAR altimeter altitude records at NSL next weekend....but now of course it's next year). But it's not THAT noticeable.

The much cleaner, but similar weight Nova Payloder typically goes to 750-800 feet on a C6-5 here. At the Hudson Ranch near Pueblo, Colorado at NARAM 60, I got between 800 and 850 feet on three different flights.

I did see 1110 feet on an Estes C6-5 in an Alpha VI at NARAM-60, which was a really nice flight.

I agree Bernard: ain’t no way that bird would ever hit 1k on a C. I too would be a bit afraid of a shread, even on a C6. Nothing against the design; it is certainly unique. But it is not going to hit 1000 feet on a C.

Earl

I have launched mine on a C.
More like 700' tops in Michigan air.
Might do 1000 on a Quest D16.