Astron Farside
Kit# K-12
No Hang Tag - Pleated Bag
Black Letters with Blue Rocket Image on White Instruction Sheet
Images by Gerry Fortin
Designer: Bill Simon
Production Years: 1966-1967
Retail Pricing Range: $2.75
Rarity: Very Rare
Description: Second version Astron Farside with estimated production in 1966-1967. The no hang tag kit features blue rocket artwork on a white instruction set. The artwork illustrates the three stage Farside rocket in blue with Astron FARSIDE printed in black. Pricing and kit number are printed on white card as "$2.75" and K-12 respectively. Kit contents are packaged in a pleated bag that is temperature sealed.
The Farside and Farside X were 3 stage ultra high altitude workhorse rocket of the Estes fleet. Estes rated the kit as skill level 3 and for the experienced rocketeer. Flight up to 2500 feet were claimed in the Estes catalog. The Farside was part of a two model offering whereby the Farside was configured as a standard payload model and the Farside-X featured a larger payload section for experimental work.
Kit Contents: The Farside kit contains a host of items including; a main body tube, two booster tubes and a payload tube, 18mm engine mounts for the sustainer and two booster tubes, four sheets of balsa fin stock, five stage couplers, balsa nose cone and nose block, a pattern sheet, 12" parachute, launch lug and instruction sheet.
Availability: Second generation Farside kits in pleated bags and no hang tags are very rare. Expect to pay a substantial premium if a problem free unopened kit can be located. Since 2008, two examples have traded on eBay at over $300.
Additional information can be found at the following links;
JimZ Kit Plan Link: Estes K12
Essense Model Rocket Reviews: OOP K12X Farside-X
Specifications: Length: 21.5", Diameter: 0.976", Weight: 2.0 oz.
Recommended 18 mm Engines: First Stage: 1/2A6-0, A8-0, B14-0 Second Stage: 1/2A6-0, A8-0, B6-0, B14-0, C6-0, Third Stage: 1/2A6-4, A8-5, B4-6, B6-6, B14-6, C6-7
Estes Catalog Artwork
