Early Estes 17XX Series Retail Starter Sets not listed in the Estes Catalogs
 

This thread is dedicated to some of the early Estes Retail Starter Sets not listed in the Estes Model Rocketry Catalogs, including in particular:

-Estes Spirit of '76 Flying Model Rocketry Starter Kit #1776
-Estes Der Big Red Max Flying Model Rocketry Starter Kit #1777
-Estes Long John Silver Flying Model Rocketry Starter Outfit #1778
-Estes Project Blue Bird Zero Flying Model Rocketry Outfit #1779
-Estes Little Red Max Flying Model Rocket Starter Outfit #1781

These 17xx sets back in the day were specially made for retailers like Toys-R-Us and others, thus, they were never in a catalog.

One unique observation revealed is that the two digits for the starter kit number following the 17 series prefix is the year of the starter kit release. For example, Starter Kit #1776 was released in 1976, Starter Kit #1777 was released in 1977, and so on. There is evidence that supports this theory.

To begin, some photos are attached here of the Estes Spirit of '76 Flying Model Rocketry Starter Kit #1776. As mentioned, this set was issued in 1976. This set came packaged in a cardboard Estes Model Rocketry Field Operations Box and included the Estes RL-4 orange plastic Porta-Pad #2217, plus, the Estes FS-10 Solar Launch Controller #2300. The Estes Spirit of '76 Flying Model Rocketry Starter Kit #1776 also came with the Estes KC-3 Citation Patriot kit #0652, which included the two piece white PNC-60AH nose cone. The Spirit of '76 Citation Patriot kit is featured on page 12 in the Estes 1976 Model Rocket Catalog: https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/n...a/76est012.html

Two years later in 1978-1979, Estes partnered with Mattel to release an almost identical starter set called the Cape Canaveral Patriot Deluxe Starter Kit #90-1404, marketed in Germany. The last two photos shown displays one of these. Reference: Leo Nutz Model Rocket Leisure Site: https://www.leo.nutz.de/Rockets.php...0(Mattel)# 484 . Thanks, Leo, for graciously sharing these Estes-Mattel images and for providing your permission to share here! Those Estes-Mattel kits were really attractive and well done!

More to come...

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

The Estes Der Big Red Max Flying Model Rocketry Starter Kit #1777 was issued in 1977. Notice the Estes 1977 Model Rocketry catalog on the box front inset image (reference: https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/n...a/77estcov.html). It also included the Estes RL-4 orange plastic Porta-Pad #2217, plus, the Estes FS-10 Solar Launch Controller #2300. The Estes Der Big Red Max kit instructions are labeled as kit #1977 which corresponds with the year of issue. This 1977 issue of the Der Big Red Max included the two piece white PNC-60AH nose cone, as well. The last photo shown is from an ebay listing that recently sold within the last few days on 03/28/2024, which shows additional evidence to verify what I have shared already: https://www.ebay.com/itm/226057480973

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

Jeff,

Thanks for the great research! Always nice to have the blanks filled in.

Hi Steve,
You are quite welcome! There are more installments still to come!

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

Thank you for that info, Jeff! Something that Don Altschwager can use to update the Estes Starter Kit list as he has time.

Good job with the history, I have all the kits minus the Patriot 76 and and little Max, never knew about those. I better built up my special rocket fund.

I had the Big Foot launch pad set that came with the Der Big Red Max rocket back in 1980 or so. What is the length of the BT-60? I am guessing it was 18 inches. I want to recreate it from scratch.

I built my Big Der Red Max, and someday will build my 1977 Starter kit version.

https://www.oldrocketforum.com/show...37&page=1&pp=10

Yes, it was 18" long.

I just updated my master list. It is nice to put real dates on these. I cited this thread as the Source Information. If it is not listed in a catalog I have been trying to cite where these kits or sets are spotted.