Estes Star Wars
 

All:

I'm interested in buying the various estes star wars kits since my two boys are huge star wars fans. I've noticed that there are various kit numbers for both the X-Wing and R2-D2. I was wondering if anyone had a difinitive list of the kits available and what the differences are between them. If you have a preference on a specific kit, that info would also be appreciated. Thanks.

Andrew

1298 was the original. Very much a builder's kit and only available from 1978-80.
http://ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/78est030.html
This page also shows the 1299 Tie Fighter and original 1301 R2D2.

1302 was the Maxi X-Wing. I've never built one of these.
http://ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/78est044.html

1810 was the RTF version that's known the world over as potentially deadly. Probably best to keep away from these.

2103 was a 15th anniversary version of the original. More plastic and probably the best one to actually build and fly because it's easy to put together and thus less likely to be missed when it crashes.
http://ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/94est42.html
As before, this also shows the 15th anniversary Tie Fighter and R2D2.

There was also an NCR version that you see occasionally. These sell for fairly big $$$.

1420 was a Photon Torpedo starter set. Kind of a dull, almost ready to fly quick build kit. I've never seen one.
http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/no...a/78estcov.html

One of my favorites is the Death Star. This one is a big hit with the kids because of the way it recovers. http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/e...s/plan2143.html

The Phantom Menace also brought out a bunch of kits. The Naboo Fighter http://marina.fortunecity.com/tribu...s/plan1832.html, Y-Wing Fighterhttp://aneko.tripod.com/plan1821.html , Sith Infiltrator http://aneko.tripod.com/plan1829.html, and the Trade Federation Battleship http://aneko.tripod.com/plan1828.html. None of these are seen very often and I don't think they're very highly thought of.

Actually, the 1298 and 2103 X-wings are nearly identical. I bought and flew the 1298 version when it was released (1978) and those two kits are almost the same except for the production date. Also, the two regular T.I.E. kits (1299 and 2102) and the two 4" diameter R2-D2 kits (1301 and 2104) are also nearly identical as well.

Really? My 1298 wings were equal parts plastic and balsa, with small tubes on the wingtips that the cannons, which were made with plastic parts and launch lugs, fit into. Neat how it goes together, but kind of a pain when all is said and done. My other one is all plastic except for the internals. Was there a third X-Wing that I missed?
Is your 1298 still flying? I wish I'd left mine alone and just flown it that way instead of trying to repaint it. :mad: :rolleyes:

IIRC, the 1490 is the all plastic 18mm X-Wing kit, whereas the 2103 was the balsa/plastic 15th anniversary re-issue. The all plastic version came in starter sets and bulk packs; I've never seen this version available as an individual kit.

As far as R2-D2 kits, go for the 18mm motor, 4" diameter kit. The 15th anniversary re-release, #2104, comes up often for auction, at a reasonable price. It flies great when modified for 24mm motors.

My 1298 got trashed several years ago. The wings on the 1298 and my unbuilt 2103 had balsa wings and fins. The all plastic version in that size was only found in the starter set issued in the 1990s. I have never seen that version sold separately.

Don't forget the 1821 Y Wing fighter.

kj

I mentioned it. Always thought that one was cool. Never saw one fly, though.

What a coincidence! I'm working on a Death Star #2143 as we speak (or type, rather.) I've also verified that Testors rattle-can enamel is safe to use on foam and so is Weldwood Contact Cement (aka "snot".) I did a reaction test on one of the inside cavities where the streamer is housed during flight.

The color you see on the orb sections is gray primer #1237. I'll finish it with light aircraft gray #1233.

Hence:

.....I also shot the same primer on this Estes F22 boost/glider that has two different kinds of foam construction: a high-density closed cell foam for the fuselage halves and a low-density, flexible, closed cell foam for the control surfaces. I used epoxy to construct this one--I was afraid to use anything out due to a possible material reaction!

Hence: