I never had this kit back in the day but recently picked up a non-Citation version of the kit (rainbow hang tag).

I was wondering for those who might be more up on the history of the Citation kits and their follow-on linage, when did they stop having the chrome nose and tail pieces and when did the fins tips stop being pre-clipped.

I knew the one I was getting was not chromed and I could tell the plastic fin can tips were not clipped, as they continued to be shown in the Estes catalog as clipped throughout the run of this kit.

Best I can tell, looking at catalog images, maybe only the initial "Citation" versions came with chromed noses and fin units. Catalog images from about '75 on show non-chromed versions. But it appears the catalog images never changed to show non-clipped fin tips. And there is no step in the instructions that direct you to actually clip the fin tips.

My kit came with the "Citation" instruction sheet (though as mentioned above, my kit is not a Citation version...it is a bagged rainbow hang tag kit). In looking at Jimz site, I see there was apparently a later set of instructions for the Quasar that shows a non-clipped fin can in the instructions, but I did not see any indications there for clipping the fin tips either. (Link to Jimz plans: http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/e...ar/est0650.pdf).

So...just curious if anyone knows some of the timeline details of chrome to non-chrome and clipped fin can to non-clipped fin can.

Thanks,

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970