Estes Industries
KIT # 7233
Futuristic / Exotic
Single Stage
Engines: 13mm T-Series
Parachute Recovery
Length: 13” (33cm)
Dia: .74” (19mm)
Color Scheme: Dark blue base color with white, black,
silver, and fluorescent red trim.
Build Completion Date: 16
September, 2016
The Lynx is the first model rocket kit I have purchased
for the collection since the 1980s. The
fact that the model is a Skill level 3 futuristic kit that can be flown on
inexpensive mini-engines was quite appealing, besides the rocket being a very
attractive design to begin with.
The kit was purchased at HobbyTown USA in May of 2016 for
the princely sum of $16. The cost of
model rocketry has definitely increased substantially during the past 30 years!
Upon first opening the kit, I was taken aback at how
extensive the instruction sheet was, until I discovered that it was written in
no less than 6 different languages!
English was even included.
Another feature that was new to me was the laser-cut
balsa fin sheet. Even though it produced
a very precise set of fins, there was still that little longing for the
old-school method where the modeler was required to carefully line ‘em up and
cut ‘em out using paper patterns and Xacto knife. I suppose technology must march on….
The build itself was fairly straight forward. Little about that has changed much from the
old days.
This kit is very notable by the sheer amount of balsa
parts requiring filling and assembly, right down to the tiny vanes on the
engine tube.
Great care was taken in the construction of this model,
and as a result, everything fit precisely.
Kudos to the Estes designer!
One of the more challenging aspects of the build was the
proper preparation and assembly of the air intake units along the main
fuselage.
I would almost be inclined to give this bird a skill
level 4 rating just based on that alone.
Once construction was completed, the model was shot with
two coats of Dupli-Color gray primer with general finish sanding and cleanup
after application.
Instead of the all-black color scheme illustrated in the
Estes literature, I chose to go with a dark blue. I just think it looks ‘cooler’.
The model also received some further embellishments in
the overall décor that further enhance its look: silver on the leading edges of all wings and
fins, silver ‘guns’ and antenna, a little fluorescent red on the gun tips, and
a black and silver paint scheme on the engine section. I
also opted to go with a solid black cockpit canopy Addition of the stock decals
rounded out the detailing very nicely.
Finally the model was given a coat of Krylon matte clear to
seal everything up. I believe that the
look of an exotic model is better with a flat finish. I am of the opinion that a futuristic model
should be treated like it’s a scale model – just of a prototype that doesn’t
exist yet.
The canopy is the
only component of the model that was left glossy. I suppose the
imaginary pilots of this craft keep the bugs off with
frequent applications of Windex!
The Lynx holds the distinction of being numbered ‘104’ in
the model rocket collection, with a 33 year separation from its #103
predecessor!
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