Today I opened a vintage Estes #2001 Saturn V kit and found that the 24" parachutes had an unusual design. I've built tons of Estes rockets over the years, but I've NEVER seen this chute pattern before.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Whoa! I like the design, but it raises a question: *What* vintage is that Saturn V kit? Such a red/white/blue "Old Glory"-inspired design suggests the Bicentennial in 1976, or maybe an anniversary (the 20th, 25th, 30th, etc.) of Estes' initial release of the kit. (The design is also reminiscent of the Beatles' LSD-associated "Magical Mystery Tour" movie of 1967, which included such animated sequences, but I can't picture Vern Estes fancying commemorating that in a kit's parachute design...)

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

I don't think it was the first release of the #2001 because the kit includes hardware for D12 AND for the (now unavailable) E15 engines. It also has the choice of placing 3/16" or 1/4" launch lugs. Therefore, I believe the kit is from 1994--the last year the SV had the embossed paper wraps (IIRC.)

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Isn't that the same design for the intro of the T.V. show "Wonder Woman"?

__________________
If it flies, I can crash it!

There's two of them................it's Linda Carter's bra!

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Ah--that was the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission (if memory serves, the 1994 Estes catalog mentioned that in connection with the kit's re-release).

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

Ah, so! That makes sense.

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

If there is a 50th Apollo 11 anniversary re-issue of the Estes Saturn V kit, they could come up with a new "surprise canopy" design that would also make those kits (additionally) collectible.

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

I instantly had the exact same thought when I saw the pic. Then I thought of Lynda Carter.

__________________
I love sanding.

No way, those are only 24" chutes.

__________________
"If you want my view of history,
there's something you should know.

The three men I admire most
are Curly, Larry, Moe!"

Meat Loaf