USS Andromeda

Kit# 1273

Version 2 Rainbow Hang Tag - Large Letters

  

Images by Gerry Fortin

Designer: Wayne Kellner

Production Year: 1980-1982

Retail Pricing Range: $8.00-$9.50

Rarity: Moderately Scarce

Description: Estes originally launched the USS Andromeda model rocket kit during 1975 and continued the kit until 1982. There are two distinctly different facecard versions along with hang tag variations. The 1980 version kit, as pictured above, is found with the rainbow hang tag (large letters) and colorful facecard packaging. The Andromeda facecard artwork is very well done with a bold in flight USS Andromeda rocket overlaid on a red and orange background. The facecard still maintains the rocket launch sequence in the background and an obvious skill level 3 kit designation.

Hang Tag (Header Card) Guide

The USS Andromeda is a classic skill level 3 exotic design and marketed as a "starship of the future" for long journey interplanetary travels. Indeed the Andromeda is and will always be a popular kit and was voted as the top Estes exotic kit on the Ye Olde Rocketry Forum. The Andromeda is powered with traditional 18mm engines and Estes' recommendation for B6-4 engine for first flight would worry me. This is a heavy rocket that can easily weather cock off the launch rod. I would only fly the Andromeda with C engines.

Kit Contents: The kit contains two main body tubes and a parachute compartment tube, ram body tube and reactor body tubes, plastic nose cone, 18 mm engine mount kit, two die cut balsa sheets, die cut paper card, pattern sheet, conduit dowels and antenna dowels, water transfer decals and self adhensive decals, 18" parachute, launch lug and instruction sheet.

Availability: The USS Andromeda with a rainbow hang tag can be considered scarce but is available on eBay with patience. It is a great kit to add to one's collection and nearly a must have. Be prepared to spend between $100-$150 on eBay for this kit version. The earlier 1975-1979 version kit has a blue face card and gray colored Andromeda rocket image coupled with skill level hang tag. I believe the earlier kit version is rarer than the above illustrated kit with Version 2 rainbow hang tag and current brings $160-$210 on eBay.

 

Additional information can be found at the following link;

Jim Z Rocket Plan Link: Estes1273

Specifications: Length: 43.3", Diameter: 0.736", Weight: 3.0 oz.

Recommended 18 mm Engines: B4-2, B4-4, B6-2, B6-4, C6-5

Estes Catalog Artwork

 

Back to Estes Database