Is there any new word on the upcoming large Semroc or Estes Orbital Transport kits ?

__________________
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.

You can't even buy a regular SEMROC orbital transport at e rockets anymore. Most of what little they still carry is "out of stock".

Yeah, I think the reasoning they have been using at Semroc is "balsa prices".
The "new"/non-Carl Semroc has been steadily discontinuing kits/parts at a VERY alarming rate. It has gotten to the point that I don't even bother visiting their website any longer.
One of the best things about Carl's Semroc was the concept of almost never discontinuing anything.
They are Semroc IN NAME ONLY, unfortunately.

Carl/Sheryl/Bruce were the real GOLD Stamdard that will never be repeated.

Glad I grabbed up a few Mars Landers and 1/70 Saturn 1B kits before they were gone.

__________________
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.

They Semroc/eRockets were going to introduce a “Pro” line to replace the “SLS” line. They showed off some models including upscales of the Orbital Transport, Mars Snooper, and BBZ on NARHAM 2020 manufactures video. Randy had some health issues since then, but I believe is doing well now. Maybe they just pushed the projects back a little, or the economics do not work out right now.

There are currently 24 Semroc kits available from eRockets, including a couple new designs, the updated with assembly fixtures USS Andromeda and the new line of MMX kits. Between eRockets big move to a new location, the pandemic and Randy’s health problems I’m surprised they have as much available as they do. Recently there was a discussion online with the ONE guy who cuts ALL the balsa for eRockets’ Semroc kits - he said the balsa supply is just now allowing him to get caught up. Though it’s been nearly 4 years since my visit to eRockets (the old location was barely adequate - the move was much needed) Randy and his folks are as great a group as you’d like to meet - solid rocketry guys through and through. I did a Build Night there with the WSR NAR club - a total hoot! (I’ve launched with them recently too). I already know none of what I’ve said will matter but if the options are the Semroc name and designs are sold to someone who carries on with what he can within economic reason or the name and designs cease to exist - which is pretty much what the possible outcomes were when Carl retired - I’ll take the former over the latter.

Yeah, we need eRockets, but GH is right...........there will never be another Carl/Sheryl. The gold standard for sure.

There is no such thing as an Estes upscale Orbital Transport. I repeat, no such thing exists..


Will it make it to production? Nobody knows at this point..

Attached Thumbnails

 

Very cool, and understood. Does this nonexistent object use a BT-55 or a BT-60 main airframe tube?

I'm hoping the booster body is BT-60 and the orbiter is BT-55.
That will be big enough for micro r/c gear in the orbiter.

__________________
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.

I think so but don't remember for sure. That's my Big Bertha next to it and they look to be the same size diameters...

Stan