xkits
 

Hey Carl, are xkits going to be similar to the Semroc cc: kits?

xKits!
 

I was going to talk about the xKits here after we get back from TARC, but since Buzz is snooping around.... :D

The new xKits are in the process of rollout. They are very similar to the cc:kits. The main difference is that they will only be available online. Looking back over the complaints on the cc:kits, every one was bought from a hobby store or mail order.

The most frequent complaint was that the instructions were not included and they did not have internet access. They felt that they were deceived by getting kits that were not complete.

Most of the other complaints were that the instructions (once they got them from us or a friend) were not clear and the finished product was not well designed or tested before release. This tells us that many of the hobby store customers expect a much more polished product and would not have been happy in the early days.

We are planning in the next few weeks to release:
XCE-KC17 SST Shuttle 1 (was a cc:kit)
XES-K3 Space Plane (was a cc:kit, but new one will be BT-30 based like the original)
XES-K2 Mark (balsa engine block, rubber shock cord, BT-30 based. Used one of Vern's earliest ones with a headerless bag for parts matchup)
XES-K35 Constellation (with new PST-50 clear tubes)
XES-K18 X-Ray (also with new tubes)
XES-K34 Nighthawk
XES-KC4 Starship Vega (remaining tough part is the embossed, printed foil wrap :mad: )
XCE-KB2 Vector-V (Finally found one around here to get the basswood strip measurements)
XMM-002 Arcon (thanks to Fred, Mark, et al. :D )
XFS-MRK1 Penetrator (with 1/16" plywood fins)
XRD-F7 Feather (was going to do this last year if Irv was going to attend NARAM)

We will not kit as many of the xKits at a time since the distribution will be limited. The xKit designation is a play on the term ex-kit since they are OOP and they are primarily intended for more "expert" modelers that understand that we have come a long way in the last fifty years.

I had been planning on scarfing up a few Nova Payloaders just to get the clear tube, but now I won't have to!

The Nighthawk and Starship Vega sound great !
Any chance the Starship Nova will be re-created ?
(I know the nose cone may present a problem)

Snooping? Muah? :D

Well, there goes my tax refund. :D

Keep bringing out the models, Carl!

Bob

Carl,

What factors lead you to making a kit an X kit?

I would think the Starship Vega would do great in hobby stores.

Oh, probably someone like Mary Roberts might have something to say about that. :)

It's funny, I guess, but the old style instructions still feel like the norm to me. ;) (And Semroc's instructions are the deluxe edition!)

I'll admit that I was disappointed when the cc: kits were discontinued. I was looking forward to tackling them as my building skills improved, especially the SST Shuttle and the X-21. I did manage to get the Space Plane before it was gone. I am delighted by the news that you are starting up a new version of this line again.

I always thought that you were completely clear about what the cc:kits were, what they contained and what they did not contain. But I was seeing them just from my perspective, I guess, and I didn't realize that there would be customers who bought them who just didn't get it. Your new approach with the xkits seems like a sensible way to avoid a repeat of those problems.

I am thrilled with the list of upcoming xKits in your post. I am relieved to see the first two on the list coming back, and I'm not at all disappointed that the X-21 isn't on the list. After studying the online X-21 plans, I thought that it would be quite some time before I was ready to tackle that one anyway. You also just made my day with the inclusion of the last two designs on the list! :) :) :) Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah! [Jumps up and does a little dance around the computer]

I'm really pleased with the inclusion of all of the other xKits on the list, too. I was beginning to think that I would never get to build a Starship Vega! The only problem that I can see right now is that for the next several days everyone is going to be wondering why I keep walking around with this silly grin on my face. :D ( <--- just like this one!)

Mark \\.

Swimming in Saliva...
 

Is it just me, or is anybody else drowning in drool? :eek: :rolleyes: ;) :D :cool:

I'd been thinking about e-mailing Carl about possibly doing some "Citation" Starship Vega fins, since I'd already ordered the nose cones :o , but thought I'd wait 'til after NSL. Then he springs this wonderful surprise on us!


Good luck with the x-kits! :D


Cheers,