Brief

The Estes Interceptor, designed by Wayne Kellner and originally introduced in 1971, was perhaps the most iconic model rocket of its era.  The kit was produced for 9 years and is fondly remembered by a generation of BARs (I had one but if I recall correctly never had the courage to fly it, it was just too pretty!)  In 2008, after a dry spell of 28 years, Estes re-released both the original Interceptor and a 24-mm motor 1.5x upscale, the Interceptor-E, to the joy of the rocket community.  But by 2011, everyone who wanted an Interceptor presumably had one, and Estes discontinued both kits.  However, perhaps wanting to capitalize on their investment in nose cone molds, Estes released the Cosmic Interceptor, designed by John Boren, in 2012.  About the only thing thing the newcomer has in common with the earlier kit is the Interceptor-E's nose cone and overall size; while the original Interceptor is basically a six-finned rocket with unusual fin shapes, the Cosmic Interceptor has two multipiece wings with a complex structure, an engine scoop, and an elaborate finned motor section.

I picked up the Cosmic Interceptor at a deeply discounted price on the Estes website in late 2015, so this kit's days may be numbered as well.