Asteroid Explorer
Kit# 1386
Pink Paper Hang Tag - Skill Level 2
Designer: Unknown
Production Years: 1982-1984
Retail Pricing Range: $5.00
Rarity: Scarce
Description: Estes Asteroid Explorer model rocket kit #1386 appeared in the Estes 1982 through 1984 catalogs. The kit utilizes a pink paper hang tag designating Skill Level 2 construction challenge and a simple uniform darker pink facecard with an overlaid gray and black Asteroid Explorer rocket.
The Asteroid Explorer is a futuristic design and marketed by Estes as "Geological data gathering probe of the 1990's. Probes asteroids and other large masses for ore samples."
The kit features a body tube, plastic nose cone, three wood dowels, die cut balsa sheets, an engine mounting system, decal sheet, 12" parachute, launch lug and instruction sheet.
I consider this kit to be scarce based on the infrequent number of eBay appearances. Interestingly, the pictured kit has a pink 1977-1979 vintage hang tag while the kit was first listed in Estes catalog in 1982. One could expect to find Asteroid Explorer kits with the 1981 vintage black paper hang tag with blue lettering.
Additional information can be found at the following links;
JimZ Kit Plan Link: Estes1386
Specifications: Length: 16.6", Diameter: 0.976", Weight: 1.09 oz.
Recommended 18 mm Engines: A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, B8-5, C6-5, C6-7
Estes Catalog Artwork
