BAR Rocket Fleet - #104 Lynx

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!