The Cooler Estes Rockets for 2011

I'm sure that by now most everyone thinks I am some kind of Estes freak...kind of like one would think of a political alignment. Not really. I have built more Estes rockets over the years than just about any other brand but then again, I have scratch-build more models than I have all brands of kitted offerings combined. Having said that, I have recently begun researching (and reminiscing) the progress of model rocketry over the years and the major early players were Centuri and Estes. Estes was by far the "king" and so that is where I am concentrating for now.
Having said all that, I will fast forward to current Estes offerings and may in future blogs spotlight offerings from other manufacturers.
Der Red Max: A return of an early 70's classic that seemed to be present at just about every launch back then.
Interceptor and Interceptor E: Updated returns of the 1970 "decal covered" classic. Estes has released several versions of the Interceptor (including one larger than the current Interceptor E) but these two kits hit the sweet spot for rocketeers flying on a budget as well as those that want "something bigger."
Baby Bertha: A shortened version of the classic Big Bertha from 1964.
Mega Mosquito: The original tiny Mosquito was just a plain fun way to burn up pack after pack of mini-motors...so long as you limited yourself to 1/4A and 1/2A because you would likely not see it again after a flight on an A motor. It was one of the premier "Mini-Brute" kits which introduced the Estes Mini motor back in 1971. The "Mega" version is over five times bigger and flies on up to E power. You won't be burning pack after pack of motors but it's fun anyway. Oh, you get the classic original Mosquito with this kit, too!
Comanche-3: Another classic (see a pattern developing?) from 1982. I'm pleasantly surprised that it still utilizes a "D" booster and standard motors for the second and third stages rather than all standard motors. This puppy can hit about a half-mile without a problem. I wish Estes would bring the old Farside 3-stage back. I loved those giant fins and extra-gentle booster recovery.
D-Region Tomahawk:  The second different Estes version of the one-off sounding rocket is very much improved with scale qualities far exceeding those of the "original" 1985 release. Just slightly larger, this heavier-duty version will fly with E motors and you can actually be competitive in competition with this one without a lot of modification. It's also one of the very few scale offerings from Estes.
Super Neon XL: A scaled up version of the popular "regular" Neon of many years ago from Estes and the Super Neon which shares the catalog with the "XL" version.  I like it for its tube-fin design (which is a variation of the "Infinite Loop" from over 40 years ago) and small add-on fins. Makes for a durable model to burn up your stock of  D and E motors.
Screaming Eagle: Just a plain "neat" F-15 like model that is reminiscent of the Centuri Fighter Series of the mid-1970s. It looks just a tad funky with the extended "fuselage", though. I would consider shortening the body tube, adding noseweight to assure stability, and apply a "scale like" paint job...or just build it "from the box"...er...bag.
MIRV: This is the most unique and innovative model to come from Estes in years and neither the Estes catalog nor the Estes web site does this model the justice in describing its uniqueness that it deserves. Basically, it's a "two stage" model that has three "second" stages. A single standard engine booster gets the model into the air and then three separate "second" stages powered by A10-3 motors zip off on their separate ways. Not only that, but the three upper stages nest together to look like a single upper stage at launch.
Saturn V: What can I say? This is about the 5th variation on a 1/100 scale Saturn V from Estes. And, in today's dollars, it's about the least expensive (you can find them all day long [including from me] on eBay for about $60). It's supposedly a limited edition but they are EVERYWHERE. It also comes in a giant box that has about twice the volume of previous boxes.
Solar Flare: Just a pretty darn cool ring-fin two-stager of a modest size (27" long and 1" diameter). Don't believe the recommended engines on the Estes web site...someone really messed up there...but the model is not a mess-up!
Renegade-D: Virtually identical to the "Renegade" two stage version of the previous three or four years. The previous version used two stages and standard 18mm motors (I have talked to at least two people who damaged the first stage on recovery...which is probably the reason the new model is just single stage) but Estes made up for any performance deficiencies in going to single stage by powering this baby with a D motor. In my opinion, this model is every bit as cool as the Interceptor.
Mini Honest John: This one takes me back to the original Estes Honest John of 1967. Though it is a scale model of a different version than the original, it is in the same scale. And, it's a bit underpowered from a "spectacular flight" perspective. I would convert it to 18mm use (it uses mini motors as-is) or even modify this kit to make a version of the "original" Honest John.
Astron Elliptic II; I just plain like the sleek design and the high-performance elliptical fins of this mini-motor two stager. It can hit about 1000 feet on a pair of mini-A motors.
Alien Invader: The return of another classic from over 20 years ago. It has a really strange nosecone and a conglomeration of semi-circular wings and fins.
Flutter-By: A sort of re-release of a Centuri design from about 35 years ago. This tiny model pops into two tumble-recovered pieces at apogee.
Taser Twin: This model is cool because at first glance you would think it was a re-release of the Apogee II from the 1960's. Then again, it looks like it has an Apogee II booster (from the '60s) mated to Sky Hook upper stage (also from the '60s). And this thing will get up and go to about 2000 feet on standard 18mm motors.
Plasma Probe: Again, in paying a bit of homage to old Centuri designs, this model has somewhat of a resemblance to the the Centuri Laser-X from 1968. The color and markings are similar, too.
QCC Explorer: A really nice-sized (about 3-feet long) model that flies on any of the 24mm Estes motors from C through E. It's a bit deceptive in appearance but is a good challenge to build.
Xarconian Cruiser: A really unique design that is a big challenge to build. Its is a "builder's model" and is rated at Skill Level 5...and it really is. What I really like about it (other than the physical design attributes) is that it takes me back to the kind of building you had to do in the '60s and '70s (in spite of its laser-cut fins. I think Estes missed the boat a bit with the color/decal design scheme...but if I don't like it I can always go my own route it that department!
EPM-101: This is the kind of model that an Estes Design of the Month winner might have come up with 40 years ago. No single element is unique. It's got forward swept fins. It's got fin-tip pods, its got small fins on the body. Together, they just make for an unexplainably good-looking rocket.
Ventris: One of the first models in the new Estes Pro Series II lineup and marks Estes' return to high power model rocketry using composite motors up to G80. A fairly basic and classic "enlarged payload compartment" design reminiscent of the Centuri "Mini-Max" powered models of the late '60s and early '70s makes for a handsome addition to your collection.