Vintage Estes U.S. Army Honest John Ballistic Missile Rocket Kit #2166 1/9 scale For Sale

Kit Design & Features
The Estes U.S.Army Honest John Ballistic Missile Flying Model Rocket Kit (#2166) is a highly detailed, 1/9th scale model of the famous U.S. Army surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile. Originally released in 1975, it is a Skill Level 3 kit recognized for its large size and scale realism. Because it has been out of production for decades, pristine kits are rare and highly sought after by vintage rocketry enthusiasts, often commanding premium prices on collector markets.Technical Specifications

• Scale: 1:9 scale
• Length: Approximately 34 inches (94 cm) long when completed
• Skill Level: Skill Level 3 (Intermediate/Advanced building skills required)
• Recommended Engines: D12-3 (ideal for first flights), D12-5
• Recovery System: Dual 24-inch plastic parachutes

The Legacy of the Estes Maxi-Brute U.S. Army Honest John Ballistic Missile Kit

• The Estes Maxi-Brute Honest John (Kit #2166) holds a legendary status in the model rocketry community as one of the definitive symbols of the \"golden era\" of big, heavy, low-power rocketry kits.Originally introduced under kit number #1269 in 1975 and later reissued as Kit #2166 in 2000, this 1/9th scale model of the U.S. Army’s surface-to-surface ballistic missile left an indelible mark on generations of rocketeers.The defining aspects of its legacy include:1. Pushing the Limits of \"D\" PowerDuring the 1970s and 1980s, the standard black-powder Estes D12 motor was the largest engine available to the average hobbyist. The Maxi-Brute Honest John was a massive rocket for its time—standing 37 inches long, 2.6 inches in diameter (built around a heavy BT-80 body tube), and weighing roughly 14 ounces empty. Flying such a hefty bird on a single 24mm D-motor pushed the absolute limits of low-power rocketry. It resulted in slow, incredibly realistic, roaring liftoffs that closely mimicked a real military missile launch rather than the typical \"blink-and-you-miss-it\" speed of smaller models.2. High-Quality Scale DetailingThe kit is highly celebrated for its scale accuracy. It captured the iconic, distinctively bulbous nose cone shape and massive, sweeping fins of the actual MGR-1 Honest John. Unlike standard kits that relied on flat balsa wood, the Maxi-Brute featured beautifully shaped molded plastic details, plastic fins, and a scale boat tail. This attention to detail turned it into an ultimate \"display piece\" that builders were proud to show off in their rooms between launches.3. The Dual Parachute SpectacleBecause of its weight and the fragile nature of its plastic components, recovering the rocket safely was a major engineering feat for hobbyists. Estes answered this by equipping the kit with giant, dual 24-inch parachutes. Watching the massive rocket separate at apogee and float back to earth under two massive, billowing canopy sheets was a spectacular sight that became a core memory for many who flew it.4. A Prized Collector\'s ItemBecause the Maxi-Brutes were discontinued after the limited run they have become highly sought-after holy grails in the vintage rocketry community. Unbuilt, original-in-box kit #2166 packages regularly command premium prices among collectors on secondary markets. Many veteran rocketeers still maintain active clones or prized originals to fly at club launches.Ultimately, the legacy of kit #2166 is that it proved model rockets didn\'t have to be small to fly safely, paving the way for the mid-and-high-power rocketry movement that would follow in later decades.Because it has been out of production for decades, the kit is highly sought after by collectors. Unopened, excellent++ vintage packages often command premium prices on sale sites like —sometimes selling for over $300 depending on the condition of the box.
  

I am happy to accept International orders but only using \'s Global Shipping Program. I cannot adjust, combine or alter those invoices in ANY way!: No motors are included in this listing.Nothing contained in this listing violates any policy regarding hazardous materials