Astron Farside-X
Kit# K-12X
No Hang Tag - Temperature Sealed Gusset Bag
Red and Black Artwork on White Instruction Sheet
Images by Gerry Fortin
Designer: Bill Simon
Production Years: 1964-1965
Retail Pricing Range: $3.00
Rarity: Rare
Description: This is the first Astron Farside-X kit from the mid 1960s with red and black artwork on a white instruction sheet. Note the temperature sealed gusset bag employed as packaging. The instruction sheet artwork illustrates the three stage Farside-X rocket in red with Astron Farside-X printed in black letters. Pricing is also printed as part of the artwork with a red "$3.00" kit price. The kit is marked as Astron without Estes kit number.
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.
Below is a comparison of the inital Farside and Farside-X instruction card artwork. Clearly the two kit versions were marketed separately by Estes staff based on the different artwork designs.
Astron Farside (K-12) Astron Farside - X (K-12X)
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: 25.0", Diameter: 1.5", Weight: 2.5 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