RutanRC, a company formed to develop, manufacture and distribute innovative RC (radio controlled) model aircraft, announced today its launch of a Kickstarter campaign to fund the tooling, development and initial production of its first models; Burt Rutan’s SpaceShipOne (SS1) and White Knight (WK).
Burt Rutanʼs SpaceShipOne, carried aloft by White Knight, rocketed into space to win the Ansari X-Prize for the first privately funded, manned spaceflight. Backed by Microsoftʼs Paul Allen and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, it cost only a fraction of a NASA launch and amazed everyone with its bold innovation. Five of his radical, visionary designs have landed in the Smithsonian’s collection of aviation milestones.
The WK and SS1 scale replicas will deliver the same radical and revolutionary look as the originals, with the White Knight measuring an impressive 6’ wingspan and the ducted fan SpaceShipOne’s wingspan is 16.5”. Both models will be built with durable foam, carbon fiber reinforcement and adhesive stickers mirroring the original.
As a child, Rutan built model aircraft and the hobby became a way to learn the science of flight. Now he wants RutanRC to provide new tools to future aero designers. He shared:
“Model aircraft were an important part of SpaceShipOne development and used in many levels of testing for aviation and space exploration.”
Rutan’s goal is to inspire innovation in aeronautics and space through accessible experimentation with models of his radical craft.
Proposed MSRP is $299 for the combo WK and SS1, but this unique combo-model is available during the Kickstarter launch for $169. Delivery is projected for November 2015. Since its launch this morning, the campaign has captured over $20,000. It is set to close on May 26th.
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