Estes Alpha Rocket

Like just about everybody else who flies model rockets, I began my model rocketeering adventure by building and flying an Estes Alpha model rocket. When it came time to introduce my son, Philip, and daughter, Sally, to model rocketry, an Alpha was the natural choice. The photo to the left was taken in our yard in Smithsburg, Maryland, sometime around 1992. As you can tell by the angle of the launch pad (custom-built), the winds were rather high that day.

Philip Blattenberger, my son, preparing to launch his Estes Alpha model rocket.

Estes Alpha Model Rocket Kit (front & back)

Pages 16 and 17 from the 1971 Estes Model Rocketry Catalog are shown to the right.

Specifications:

Price = $1.50

Length = 12.25" (31.1 cm)

Body Diameter = 0.976" (24.8 cm)

Weight = 0.8 oz. (23 grams)

Here is the Estes Astron Alpha model rocket kit that I purchased on eBay. I specifically wanted one of the original kits that does not have plastic fins and nose cone.

Building Instructions

Here is a list of my other rocket models.