Title: Space Plane X-kit

Kit number: XES-K3

Background Information brief: X-kit.
The Space Plane was invented by John Schutz and Vern Estes in 1961. It was the first mass produced Boost Glider kit. A patent was filed in July, 1962 and Patent Number 3,157,960 was granted on November, 1964. Following the Astron Scout and Astron Mark, the Space Plane was a departure from the early recovery systems, using glide recovery instead of streamers and parachutes. The Space Plane was introduced in the 1962 Catalog as Vern and Gleda Estes’ third kit with Catalog #K-3 and an introductory price of $1.80.
The Space Plane was the first of many Boost Gliders and Rocket Gliders from Estes Industries and other manufacturers. Having a model rocket launch as a rocket and return as a glider is commonplace today, but was truly innovative at the time. Many of the newer designs were more efficient and easier to build and the Space Plane was retired in 1971 after securing its place in model rocket history.
The Semroc Space PlaneTM xKitTM is a very close approximation of the original kit. Laser-cut fins are provided using the original patterns as models. The hinges are made of a more durable plastic adhesive instead of the original paper. Waterslide decals are provided that were not present in the original kit.

Designer: John Schutz and Vern Estes

Release Date: 07/21/2008

In Production: 2008-2014


Requested attachments:

Fin patterns (200 dpi grayscale PDF)

Decal scan (600 dpi color PDF)

Attached Thumbnails

 

Attached Files

	Space PlaneXkit.pdf (938.9 KB, 2 views)
	Semroc-Space Plane.rkt (36.1 KB, 2 views)

Reserved

Reserved