ARCAS
Kit# K-26
Yellow Double Oval Hang Tag - Damon Era
Yellow Two Panel Facecard with No Pricing
Images by Gerry Fortin
Designer: Unknown
Production Years: 1972-1973
Retail Pricing Range: $2.25
Rarity: Rare
Description: A typical Damon packaging design with yellow double oval hang tang and yellow two panel facecard. I consider this packaging combination to be rare and challenging to locate.
The facecard is typical two panel design with black outlined boxes. In the upper box, the ARCAS rocket is illustrated in flight angle over a yellow background. ARCAS name is printed in black similar to the 1970 facecard design however there is no black pricing oval. The new Estes logo with sub title "A Subsidiary of Damon" is obvious in the upper panel. In the lower panel, the kit number, parachute recovery and technical information are shown.
The precision scale ARCAS kits are rated a skill level 3 kit and uses a single 18mm engine for powered flights. Recovery is via a large 18 inch checkered Estes parachute.
The kit features single body tube, a balsa nose cone, balsa fin stock, 18mm engine mounting system, 18" plastic parachute, pattern sheet, decals, launch lug, and instructions.
The ARCAS sounding rocket has been a favorite scale model for model rocketry enthusiatists. Many model rocket companies offer the ARCAS scale model including Estes, Aerotech and Semroc. From the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Museum website image and Wikipedia;
The Arcas weather rocket system was used to obtain high altitude
weather information. Arcas was the designation of an American sounding rocket,
which was launched between July 31, 1959 and August 9, 1991 at least 421 times.
The Arcas has a maximum flight altitude of 52 kilometers, a takeoff thrust of
1.5 kN, a takeoff weight of 34 kilograms, and a diameter of 11 centimeters.
The Arcas was 2.30 m long and had a fin span of 0.33 m.
Additional information can be found at the following links;
JimZ Kit Plan Link: Estes K26
Specifications: Length (22.82 in), Weight (1.44 oz), Diameter (1.325 in), Fin Span (3.82 in)
Recommended 18 mm Engines: A5-2, A8-3, B6-4, C6-5
Estes Catalog Artwork
