Celebrating the 34thish anniversary of my first "jaw dropper", an Estes Wizard on a C6-5 from my front yard. I expected an impressive flight, but in no way was I ready for that thing to move that fast and that high.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/26128073799...984.m1497.l2649

Saw these on Ebay the other night and nabbed them. They arrived today and I'm just now about to crack the seal on one of them. Never understood why Estes went away from the purple/white/black Wizard look. It was classic.

On a related note, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-4-Vi...6#ht_755wt_1330
I think the terms "Vintage" and "Rare" are overused a tad these days.

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Centuri Mini Dactyl Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II, Xarconian Cruiser Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark

'mm1972' is whacked.

Oh, jeeze - I'm starting to sound like GH.

S.

__________________
SAM #0031

You can still get the Wizard cheap at Hobbylinc and with decals from Gordy, you can bring it back to the classic purple and white scheme. The seller on ebay has them overpriced, especially with the ugly scheme!

I got four of the 80's version kits in that first auction listed, so I'm happy. I'm about to put the first fin on while I'm at lunch.

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Centuri Mini Dactyl Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II, Xarconian Cruiser Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark

I detest the aesthetics of most of today's model rocket decor schemes. The Wizard and its "little sister" kit, the Zinger, had simple yet striking and attractive decor schemes, which were wonderful examples of the "less is more" philosophy. The later decor schemes of both kits (particularly the Zinger) were/are "kiddie"-colored, with repellant designs; it's as if Estes had a "Design the ugliest possible decor scheme" contest among its staff... :-(

__________________
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

SEL- that is NOT a bad thing to "sound like GH"....glad to have you on board.

Agree about the classic Wizard scheme. It should remain white/purple w/black decals.

I made a 24mm BT60 sized clone way back in the early 90's I think.
It was lost on the first flight on a Composite Dynamics 24mm F40.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Well, I may be on board now but I'm getting off at the next stop

S.

__________________
SAM #0031

The Wizard is on sale at Hobbilinc for $7.19 but is the newer hideous decor.

I've "reclaimed" a few in the past, but it's nice to have a real old timer to work with for a change.

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Centuri Mini Dactyl Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II, Xarconian Cruiser Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark

Didn't you build a BT-80 upscale? Or was that one of those "I'd *really* like to do that" thoughts you had? (As I often do.)

__________________
Jay Goemmer
"Centuri Guy"/"Tau Zero"
YORF Member 28
Semroc SAM #0029
NAR 86131


"I think about organizing things all the time. Never seems to happen. I find something that piques my interest and I'm off on a quest. Or a Centuri. "

--Bill Eichelberger, 02/22/2022


“Centuri fret buzz in an updated form.”
Bill “Wallyum” Eichelberger re: Estes Flutter-By
03 Sept 2014