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  #1  
Old 01-03-2020, 05:50 PM
Faithwalker Faithwalker is offline
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Default Unique Estes K-31 Star Blazer early kit plans

Here is an early version Estes K-31 Star Blazer kit plans that I recently found. Anyone ever seen this early version of kit plans for the Estes K-31 Star Blazer kit or know when it may have been printed? This one has the designer Bill See's initials under the kit name on the facecard section. None of the other versions of the K-31 instructions that I've seen have those initials. The instructions also do not have the reddish swish over the rocket image like the common versions of the K-31 kit plans have. Any additional information that anyone has concerning these plans would be appreciated.

Edit: Sorry, I've attached page 2 of the K-31 Star Blazer instructions that I have as a pdf document because the jpg file size was too large.

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR
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Last edited by Faithwalker : 01-03-2020 at 11:14 PM. Reason: added page 2 of K-31 kit instructions
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:15 PM
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astronwolf astronwolf is offline
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You'll find more constructive and helpful discussion elsewhere, Faithwalker.

Try:
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspo...tar-blazer.html

Unfortunately YORF is permanently inhabited by the worst, nastiest trolls in rocketry. Why GH hasn't been banned years ago is beyond me.
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Faithwalker
Here is an early version Estes K-31 Star Blazer kit plans that I recently found. Anyone ever seen this early version of kit plans for the Estes K-31 Star Blazer kit or know when it may have been printed? This one has the designer Bill See's initials under the kit name on the facecard section. None of the other versions of the K-31 instructions that I've seen have those initials. The instructions also do not have the reddish swish over the rocket image like the common versions of the K-31 kit plans have. Any additional information that anyone has concerning these plans would be appreciated.

I am going to take a guess that this was probably the earliest version of the K-31 instructions and probably printed sometime during 1967 to early 1968. The first two or three years the K-31 Star Blazer was available, it was only available as a bonus kit if you placed a large enough order to Estes. It was only in the 1970 and 1971 catalogs that the Star Blazer (K-31) was available as a regular kit.
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Old 01-03-2020, 06:37 PM
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mojo1986 mojo1986 is offline
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Information on Star Blazer instructions is available at vintageestesrockets.com

http://vintageestesrockets.com/k-ki...star-blazer.htm
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Old 01-03-2020, 09:26 PM
Faithwalker Faithwalker is offline
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Thanks for the references, guys! Those are familiar to me, but I will go ahead and check with Eric Higgins (of the vintageestesrockets.com website) and Danny Almond to see if they have any knowledge of this set of plans. These plans do not exactly match any of the four versions that Eric Higgins has on his http://vintageestesrockets.com/k-ki...star-blazer.htm website.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just happen to think that the Estes K-31 Star Blazer is a neat nostalgic retro model rocket, despite what others may think.

By the way, this K-31 Star Blazer kit did come with a free kit sticker on the kit bag, which leads me to believe that this was one of the earlier versions of this kit.

Perhaps, Vern Estes will see this post and chime in on what he remembers about this kit! If so, Happy Birthday, Vern! I am grateful for all the years of enjoyment to this hobby that you have helped generate for me and so many others over these many years. May God bless you and your precious wife Gleda with many more years! Thank you for your kindness and all you've done to help benefit so many. It was a pleasure to meet you in person at NARAM 60 and to still be building and flying model rockets that you made available to us! Many good memories and lots of fun!

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

Last edited by Faithwalker : 01-03-2020 at 09:52 PM. Reason: corrected link
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Old 01-04-2020, 04:13 AM
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mojo1986 mojo1986 is offline
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You're right, the set of plans you have are definitely different, with the Estes logo and address printed on the short side. I'm sure Eric would appreciate getting a scan. My hunch is that you have the first set of plans there.


Joe
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Old 01-04-2020, 09:00 AM
Eagle3 Eagle3 is offline
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Anyone know who designed the 0831 Star Blazer? I've wanted to write a short article on the history of the two versions, but haven't been able to track down the latter's designer.

Side note, the K-31 was one of my favorite designs in the first Estes catalog I ever got. I didn't get around to building one until just a couple years ago and flew it several times at NARAM 60.
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Old 01-04-2020, 02:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eagle3
Anyone know who designed the 0831 Star Blazer? I've wanted to write a short article on the history of the two versions, but haven't been able to track down the latter's designer.

Side note, the K-31 was one of my favorite designs in the first Estes catalog I ever got. I didn't get around to building one until just a couple years ago and flew it several times at NARAM 60.



Bill See designed the Star Blazer.
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Old 01-04-2020, 04:41 PM
Eagle3 Eagle3 is offline
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Thanks Tbzep, but Bill was the designer of the first version. As far I as know the second version designer is unknown.
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