Flying model rockets and sci fi / spacecraft



This little collection includes both plastic sci fi / fantasy spacecraft and actual flying model rockets. Gundam and mecha have been moved to their own section.

Flying Model Rockets

 

Black Brandt II and III
 
Kit
Kit Manufacturer
Scale
Price
Flying/Static
Engine range
Rating 1-10
Black Brandt II
Estes
Unknown
$15
Flying
D-E (compositeE)
8
Black Brandt III
Estes
Unknown
$10
Flying
1/4A-composite D
8

Both of these are flying kits, and neither one was given a "scale" per se. The Black Brandt III (the red and white one) is currently out of production.  Easy to build if you're used to model rocket construction.
The Black Brandt II had "aerials" formed from scrap balsa, which snapped off during moving. (Get ready to hear that repeated a few times. Balsa and white glue can withstand rocket flight, but not a 1500 mile move.) Both kits have balsa, cardboard, and plastic parts.
 

 

Mercury-Redstone
Jupiter-something <g>
Titan IIc
 
Kit Kit Manufacturer Scale Price Flying/Static Engine Range Rating
Mercury-Redstone Estes ?? $20 Flying C 7
Jupiter-C Estes ??? $20 Flying B-C 7
Titan IIc Estes ??? $15 Flying D 7

All three of these were victims of my move again. All had lower control fins (except the Titan, which had seperate insertable fins)  The Redstone and Jupiter both had upper sections which disappeared (both plastic display secitons.) 

They all turn in pretty good flights, and are easy to assemble for anyone with moderate rocket building AND plastic model building experience. (The escape rocket framework - missing in this picture - on the Mercury takes a little aligning, and might work better if it were scratch-built.)
Except for the Titan II (which has a plastic display "cap") no nozzles are included in ANY of these kit, so you can slip a model rocket engine in.  More fun for scratchbuilders. =]

Static Display Kits


Lunar Lander
Kit
Kit Manufacturer
Scale
Price
Option
Out of Box or Modified
Rating
Lunar Lander
Glencoe
NA
$15
NA
Out of Box
8

 

This was one of a line of "futuristic" spacecraft envisioned by German and NACA/NASA scientists for exploring space (others including a space station, rockets, manned spacecraft, and such.)  This is actually the first model kit *I* ever built, years ago.  The kits have been reissued at a reasonable price, and I purchased this particular example just to build the kit again. 

Nice memories, and a nice glimpse into our past ideas on space flight.

 

 

 

Tiberian Shuttle / Millenium Falcon

OK, so I'm a Star Wars fan. <G>  Both of these kits are by AMT/ERTL, and both are pretty easy, quick building kits.  The fit isn't perfect all the time, but nothing a little work won't fix.  For the most part, it's OK though. 

The T. Shuttle is in fictional markings (just plain grey gets so boring, so I added warning stripes and unit "markings.")  The Falon's a little more colorful than most folks recall, and the red (warning?) areas are painted on here.  These are also rather big kits - have some room handy!

Not yet pictured or reviewed:
Aerotech kits:

(Can you tell I'm a fan?)

Public Missiles Quantum