Estes launches SpaceX Falcon 9 as new fly and display model rocket

Just like the real vehicle on which it is based, a model rocket is ready to launch and land.

If you want to see it for yourself, you can either see it in the sky or on your computer. The newest model in the company's scale series of historic boosters is already one of the most anticipated rockets in Estes' 60-year history.

Brennan Johnson, Estes' product development manager, said in an interview with collectSPACE.com that they were thrilled to have the chance to work with the company on the product.

"We definitely feel the numbers are going to be stronger than some of the other products that we have launched," said Estes' vice president and general manager We expect to sell out.

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The 1: 100 scale Falcon 9 is pre- finished so no painting or decals are needed. The crew dragon is separate from the first and second stages

The grid fins and landing legs that enable the first stage to land and be reused are static on Estes' version.

One of the things that we looked at early on was a mechanical deployment of the legs. Due to their nature, we had a feeling that those would snap off a lot on recovery, which can lead to a bad customer experience.

One of the details that got a lot of thought but didn't make it to the final cut was that.

"There are certain cost factors that are limiting in what we can do, but if there were unlimited funds and people wanted to spend unlimited money, it would be amazing."

It wasn't easy to recreate the Falcon 9 even though the model rocket and Crew Dragon wouldn't have to land on the ground. Finding the right balance between a static display and a flying replica was one of the proprietary concerns that had to be taken into account.

Johnson told collectSPACE that this was more challenging than previous ones. We had to do a lot of work to make sure we kept the aerodynamics the way we wanted them for it to be a stable model rocket as well as have enough power to get it off the pad and provide a good customer experience.

There is a metal rod that runs from the inside of the rocket to the included stand. A C5-3 or C6-3 model rocket engine is put in place of the display and nozzle cap for flight. There are transparent fins that slide onto the base to make sure the rocket's ascent is stable.

There is a similar approach used with Estes' other scale models.

The presentation box is almost as nice as the model inside when it comes to the delivery of the falcon 9.

Everyone likes the box. They are going to keep it. There is a diagram of the rocket in the hand-painted art. People light up when they see it.

The Estes' Falcon 9 with Crew Dragon is available for purchase. You can find it on Estes' website and through the online shop of the company.

Space.com and collectSPACE readers can save 10 percent if they use the code IN-COLLECTSPACE at checkout.

A price comparison of a model rocket kit.

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