1970's? Lindburgh Chris Craft Constellation
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I recently purchased this boat from a friend for very cheep. I believe it is a 1970's Lindburgh Constellation. It needed quite a bit of work including a new receiver, servos, and alot of re-glueing. The results were great and I really enjoy going down to the lake and spending time going slow for a change. I was wondering if any of you know where I can find the missing parts for this boat, rail posts, row boat, mast's, and cleats. Also if you know anything about this boat I would love to hear it, I have tried researching it but I have only found two others like it. The pictures below are of the first time I took it out:
Your comments and/or suggestions are welcome.
Your comments and/or suggestions are welcome.
#2


This kit is long out of production. Rumored to have the same hull as the Lindberg 1/32 PT-109. The Constellation appears on Ebay from time to time and I believe it was first introduced in the '50s.
I would try finding an alternative source for parts in the same scale. Perhaps Craft House (the owner of Lindberg) can help with replacement parts or maybe they will put it into production again. They should along with the Sport Fisherman.
Great pics by the way. Please post some more as this is a very rare subject. Would like to see your running gear, for instance.
-Harq
I would try finding an alternative source for parts in the same scale. Perhaps Craft House (the owner of Lindberg) can help with replacement parts or maybe they will put it into production again. They should along with the Sport Fisherman.
Great pics by the way. Please post some more as this is a very rare subject. Would like to see your running gear, for instance.
-Harq
#3

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That is a very nice example of an extremely rare plastic kit. [sm=thumbup.gif]
They come up on ebay very infrequently, and normally command a price in the $300 range. It will be near impossible to find individual bits, so I think scratch building them will be in order.
They come up on ebay very infrequently, and normally command a price in the $300 range. It will be near impossible to find individual bits, so I think scratch building them will be in order.
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Wow! $300! I got it for $10. I knew it was a steal but I didn't know it was that rare. Does any one know where I can find scale rowboats for the back?
I will try to post up some more pictures tonight but in the mean time here is some pictures of what the boat should and will looks like when I'm done (but with the current black and red hull):

Thanks for the replies,
Matt
I will try to post up some more pictures tonight but in the mean time here is some pictures of what the boat should and will looks like when I'm done (but with the current black and red hull):

Thanks for the replies,
Matt
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For those that asked, here are the only other pictures that I have so far. I will try to get some of the running gear and some dry dock shots tomorrow or the day after. No one knows where to find scale dinghy's?
Matt
Matt
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Darn! I just went down to the lake to run my boat. In the middle of the cove the collar that holds the rudder in fell off and sent the port rudder plummeting 20 feet the the bottom of the lake! I don't think that i will be able to find a rudder for it so scratch building will be the only way to get her running again.
I was thinking of making it out of brass so that I can solder it, is this a good idea? If not how would you suggest making one?
Thanks,
Matt
I was thinking of making it out of brass so that I can solder it, is this a good idea? If not how would you suggest making one?
Thanks,
Matt
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I just finished the rudder's. I decided to make two out of brass rather than trying to exactly duplicate the other original. I installed them and test it this afternoon and they work great. I'll post up some pictures soon.
Matt
Matt
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I stumbled across this and thread and am kind of disappointed, I bought one of those about 15 years ago at the swap meet in the orig. box just the shrink wrap removed complete and untouched for less than a dollar. Being 12 or 13 tears old i went right to slapping it together with a hot melt glue gun (seemed like a good idea at the time) I don't think i even bothered with all the little fittings and chucked them. I ran it a few times with the motor that came in the kit, I still have the hull but its beat. Sure I had a bit fun but I'd rather have 300 usd, o well I'll put the hull somewhere I so i see it often to remind me what a moron I am.
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Man, thats too bad. Do you have the row boat and hanger that you could tak a picture of so I can see how it's mounted? That wold be great if you could.
Thanks,
Matt
Thanks,
Matt
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Here's the dingy but you have to buy the cruiser to get it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Chris-Craft-Cons...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Chris-Craft-Cons...QQcmdZViewItem
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Your story reminds me of how I got started in RC Boating. One of the other Soldiers in my unit sold me a traxxas vliiain IV, three speed controllers and I believe a Futaba radio for $20. This was about 10 years ago I guess. I had no idea wat the actual value of the stuff was. After doing some research I found out what a great deal I had just gotten. I do not think I will ever come across something like that again, but since you only paid 10 for yours I know the deals are out there.
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Well constellation fans,Lindberg is going to release it again next month with some upgrades.I got this info from the source,I plan on buying one of the new ones when they come out.I have bought some of the original cast parts from 1970's and a power kit.Benn waiting a long time for it!
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Matt,
I purchased one of these Chris Crafts on e-bay about two years ago for $425 without motors or any other electronics, so I think you got a great deal! As far as spare parts, there is a guy on ebay that sells them. I ordered a spare set of rails and rudders from him for I think $6. The only information I have is his user name is opasattic or something simular. Maybe try contacting him for the parts you are looking for. Nice looking boat!
Regards,
John
I purchased one of these Chris Crafts on e-bay about two years ago for $425 without motors or any other electronics, so I think you got a great deal! As far as spare parts, there is a guy on ebay that sells them. I ordered a spare set of rails and rudders from him for I think $6. The only information I have is his user name is opasattic or something simular. Maybe try contacting him for the parts you are looking for. Nice looking boat!
Regards,
John
#20

ORIGINAL: flyboy4422
Well constellation fans,Lindberg is going to release it again next month with some upgrades.I got this info from the source,I plan on buying one of the new ones when they come out.I have bought some of the original cast parts from 1970's and a power kit.Benn waiting a long time for it!
Well constellation fans,Lindberg is going to release it again next month with some upgrades.I got this info from the source,I plan on buying one of the new ones when they come out.I have bought some of the original cast parts from 1970's and a power kit.Benn waiting a long time for it!
Hopefully. They've been saying that for two years.
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I purchased one with the money from delivering newspapers when i was 14 years old. Made my own RC receiver and transmitter...Single channel, carrier only. Tube transmitter and receiver using a hearing aid tube and transistor circuit. Two electric motors and small 6v wet cell battery. Transmitter ran on 67v and 1.5v battery. Built a box to carry it on my bicycle to take to a lake about 5 miles from home. Had a lot of fun with this boat.