SPEV
Kit# K-59
Yellow Double Oval Hang Tag
Damon Era
Images by Jimid123 from Ye Olde Rocket Forum
Designer: Bill Simon
Production Years: 1972
Retail Pricing Range: ?
Rarity: Extremely Rare
Description: Damon era SPEV rocket kit with yellow double oval Damon hang tag and double panel black frame facecard. The upper panel has a red to white transition background and the SPEV rocket image overlay, SPEV name in black letters and the Estes logo. The lower panel provides the kit number and specifications.
There is folklore concerning the K-59 SPEV and its origins. It is written that the SPEV acronym translates into Space Exploration Vehicle or Spare Parts Elimination Vehicle, the latter being rumour that Estes possessed excessive parts for the Little Joe, Mars Lander and Thor Agena and a outlet was needed to balance inventory. The SPEV kit was produced only in 1972 up through November of that year and never appeared in an Estes catalog. The kit is extremely rare and will take diligent searching in the Estes kit collecting community to locate a partial or sealed example.
The kit features three body tubes, a balsa nose cone, two balsa adapters and one paper adapter, one sheet of balsa fin stock, engine mounting system, an 18" plastic parachute, launch lug, and instructions.
Additional information can be found at the following links;
JimZ Kit Plan Link: Estes K59
Essense Model Rocket Reviews: Semroc SPEV Clone Reviews
Specifications: Length (24.6 in), Weight (2.75 oz), Diameter (2.217 in)
Recommended 18 mm Engines: B6-4, C6-5
Estes Catalog Artwork