| Construction Rating: |   | | Flight Rating: | | | Overall Rating: | |
Contributed by Joshua Finn
Brief:
Estes classic Alpha is your standard 3FNC LPR model, probably in continuous production longer than
any other model rocket in history. It is a simple, straightforward build, listed as a skill level 2 build. Compared to
the model airplanes I fly, it's something a newbie could take on as a first project, especially if he or she had a
little guidance.
With its wide selection of motors and quick assembly, it's a perfect all-around rocket, and the body tube is large
enough to take up to a 24" parachute should you feel the urge to enter parachute endurance competition.
Construction:
The kit consists of:
- BT-50 Body Tube, XX" long
- PNC-50 blow-molded plastic nose cone
- Three laser cut balsa fins, 3/32" sheet
- 18 mm motor tube, 2.75" long
- 2.75" steel motor retainer
- BT-20 to BT-50 fiber motor mount adapter
- 1/8" white rubber shock cord
- 12" pre-assembled parachute
- Self-adhesive decal sheet
- 2 pages of instructions
The Alpha comes in a plastic bag, which seems to be a returning trend in Estes products. It is good to see that even
Wal-Mart is starting to again carry higher skill level kits and that balsa fins and the like are again becoming
oft-seem items.
A nice new advance is the addition of laser-cut fins (more on that later), which provide better cuts and speed
finishing.
I started construction with the body tube and motor mound, per the instructions (which I'm not used to following, being
a model airplane guy who is used to not even having instructions), and decided to modify the model by extending the
motor tube 3/8" out the back of the body tube to allow a tail cone to be built around it. There was a slight dink
in the motor tube, but a quick coating of CA on both ends of the tube fixed this imperfection and ensured good wear
resistance. While I was at it, I hardened the nose end of the tube with CA to provide resistance against impacts and
mishandling. Total time for assembling the motor tube and installing it in the fuselage was less than 5 minutes.
As a bit of personal whim, I glued bits of 3/16" balsa around the exposed end of the motor tube and sanded this
mess down into a small tail cone. This mod provides a nice effect, but should be considered with caution, as it places
the motor 3/8" aft of the design location, shifting the CG in the wrong direction. Before moving on, I hardened
the tail cone with CA and sanded the body tube thoroughly to minimize the spiralling groves in the body tube.
Fin installation comes next, and the paper tube marking guide provides accurate positioning. Some might find it
hard to use, but I had the marks on in less than 30 seconds. Now it was time to deal with the fins, and here I ran into
a squawk about the kit. The laser cutting does not go all the way through to balsa, so the fins must still be carefully
cut out of the carrier sheet. While this is ok, I've come to expect laser cutting to allow me to punch the parts right
out. Other than this minor issue, the fin stock was just the right density, and the laser cutting was clean, featuring
minimal burn marking. I planed and sanded the fins to a streamlined shape, hardened the tips with CA, and had the fins
all installed very quickly. I should add that the sharp tips are vulnerable in a hard landing, and I chose to round
them slightly. It's my opinion that sharp tips like these should never be considered if balsa construction is to be
used. I supposed a few bits of carbon tow would allow me to retain the sharp tips, but that wasn't on my agenda. We
should also note that the fin pattern on the instructions is
about 10% smaller than the supplied fins. I'll take the larger size, thank you. I attached the fins with CA and used
the same for filleting. With those long, sweeping fins, a hard landing could break the fins loose unless they are
firmly mounted. These shouldn't ever come loose with that CA on them.
The instructions tell you to mount the launch lug just ahead of the fins exactly between two of them. A fine
practice, but mounting it against one of the fins eases alignment and reduces drag. A further refinement modification
was to slice the ends of the lug at an angle to further streamline the lug.
Estes is still using rubber shock cords, which I would prefer they stopped, but that's another story. I went ahead
and used the supplied cord since I have had pretty good success with them in spite of my dislikes. The cord was
respectably long, but a 50% length increase would be a very wise move. The paper shock cord mount is another beef of
mine, but they can be made to be reliable if glued in place very firmly, which I made sure to do.
It was interesting to see that Estes is now supplying completely finished parachute kits. You need only organize the
shroud lines and loop them into place on the nosecone. The yellow and black checkering on the chute looks cool and
might seem like a high-vis scheme, but I'd prefer a solid color, preferably red, as it is visible from a much longer
distance than checkering. Still, it's a respectable chute, and the material looks stronger than what I've seen in the
past with Estes kits.
Total assembly time was about an hour and a half, and without my mods and extensive sanding, it could have been cut
to 45 minutes.
Summary:
Great kit, good instructions, laser cutting is a nice finish.
Laser cutting needs improvement, and the shock cord and attachment could be re-done for better durability and
functionality.
Finishing:
The nose cone has most of the flashing and mould seams removed, but I went ahead and sanded it as smooth as possible.
The plastic sands easily to a good finish.
I gave the entire rocket a good coat of Krylon clear to fill in the tiny hints of sanding marks on the nose and
fill the wood grain and other undesirable features. The result was pleasing.
After procrastinating a bit, I decided not to fly the model until it was completely finished. Out came the paint. I
gave it several coats of Krylon satin white, which produced a decent finish, but failed to fill in the wood grain (will
I ever learn to use sanding sealer?). Still, the result wasn't bad, though the tube spirals remained somewhat visible.
I painted the nosecone in red gloss, and not having blue paint on hand, colored one of the fins blue by adhering blue
tissue paper to it with spray adhesive and sealing the edges with CA. Yup, a trick from model airplanes. Minimal weight
gain, too!
With the paint dry, I moved on to decals. Estes apparently supplies self adhesive decals with everything now. I'm
not a huge fan, but being terrible with water slides, it's for the best where I'm concerned. Other than the fin decals
being a little oversized, there were no issues, and the decals went on fine. Don't forget though, that with self
adhesive, there's no second try!
After everything was finished, I gave the whole model a final coat of Krylon gloss, and oh how it shines! So in
conclusion, my only qualm is with the oversized fin decals. Can't fault Estes for the wood grain thing, as that was my
fault (the instructions say to use sanding sealer).
Construction Rating: 4 out of 5
Flight:
Estes recommends a long list of motors for this rocket. Basically it'll take nearly any 18mm motor you feed it. The
instructions say to use an A8-3 for the familiarization flight, but I didn't want to use up all of mine, so started
with a B4-4. The launch was straight as an arrow, no weathercocking despite significant winds. It probably went 800'
up, ejecting just a tad past apogee.
My second flight was on a calmer day, so I used a C6-5. Launch was again dead straight, with ejection right at
apogee. I inclined the rod about 10 degrees to better center the rocket on the field (a good choice as I later saw), so
it would have ejected prior to apogee had I gone for a straight launch. This model really gets up there on a C engine,
easily making the predicted 1000+'. A very impressive show!
Recovery:
Recovery was flawless both times. The little 10" chute is a little marginal on visibility,
but let's face it, the only way to improve and still get a safe sink rate would be to make it day-glow red. The decent
rate is just right, though it would need a streamer for small fields. From a C engine, it takes roughly 2 minutes to
come back down.
In detail, on the first flight, with ejection just past apogee, the model drifted back overhead and was carried to
the edge of the field. No damage from recovery, and the decent was stable, with just the usual rocking about. No dents
from the somewhat short shock cord, either, and it did remain in good condition. With 5 sheets of recovery wadding,
there was zero scorching of the chute.
The second flight was also very good, and I was able to catch the model as it descended down. Centering the
trajectory on the field was a good idea, as it came down just short of some trees. Descent was very stable, with almost
no rocking about by the end of the descent. I would say the chute is just right for this model in standard use, and
seems very durable. The rubber shock cord is just fine, too, so long as you keep it out of UV radiation.
Flight Rating: 5 out of 5
Summary:
The Alpha built great other than my minor squawk about the fins and shock cord and finished out
looking just fine. Weight is respectable, resulting in a very high performance rocket that is still large enough for
easy flight preparation and motor installation/removal.
The flights are great and stable, insensitive to wind. Recovery system works great, and it will take virtually any
engine you can fit inside it. There is sufficient room for a 24" chute if you're willing to let things get a
little tight, so it's usable for competition, too.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Flight Log| Date | Rocket Name | Motor(s) | Altitude | Notes |
|---|
| 1977-09-18 | Bill Eichelberger's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | My first one flight wonder. To this day I wonder why it weathercocked like it did, (I didn't... | | 1998-09-07 | Paul Smith's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Slight chute scorch | | 1998-09-10 | Paul Smith's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | | | 1998-09-15 | Paul Smith's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | Disappeared into low clouds after parachute opened. Lost. | | 2000-01-07 | MikeyR's Estes Alpha | B6-6 | - | Nice fast boost on the B6 RMS. Makes a good flight. Long drift with the wind | | 2000-03-04 | David Fergus's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | good flight during drag race with a Venom which it beat. | | 2000-03-12 | Scott Patterson's Estes Alpha | B8-7 | - | (Yes!) Drag race with another Alpha. I won :-) Love the B8-7's - yes I've still got some that I... | | 2000-05-20 | David Fergus's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | The high school kids wanted us to do it again, so another perfect flight. won an OOP - non-Darth... | | 2000-06-10 | Dale Emery's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | First flight for day | | 2000-07-15 | Dale Emery's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | First flight for day | | 2001-04-21 | Anthony Esposito's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | The rocket took off and popped a fin. Did a loop and flew horizontally into the river. Complaints... | | 2001-06-10 | Jennifer Kirkland's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | This rocket made me have to walk a long way. | | 2002-07-04 | MikeyR's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | | | 2002-08-07 | John Rowan-Stern's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | Flight#2. Looked good all the way up. The sun was below horizon so glow from engine could be seen... | | 2002-08-07 | John Rowan-Stern's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Nice Flight-New Shock Cord Made of FAI Rubber worked pretty well. Landed on asphalt. Will Fly... | | 2002-08-08 | Bill Eichelberger's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Just like Vern imagined it. Great flight. Almost wound up in the tree with the Wildfire, but... | | 2002-09-12 | Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | After 40 rockets we finally bought this classic. First flight, what more can i say, flew like an... | | 2003-05-19 | Philip Daichendt's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | Went up very straight. Then a gust came and took the rocket away never to be seen again. Flew... | | 2003-05-29 | Jon Revelle's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Rocket went sky high, but body tube seperated from NC. Both lost for a few weeks. Later returned... | | 2003-08-10 | Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | Too much fun tried it again, stop watch shows total flight time liftoff to set down at 2 minutes... | | 2003-09-01 | MikeyR's Estes Alpha | A6-4 | - | Nice. | | 2003-12-28 | Stephen Peart's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | Stevie's formerly-coneless scout rocket. Perfect flight at palm trees. | | 2004-10-18 | Lory McMan's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | 900 feet | sucked | | 2005-01-01 | Patrick Chase's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | went quite a way up and the chute popped and was caught on a thermal.the wind carried it at least... | | 2005-02-19 | Hunter Sheridan's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | 2nd Alpha flight of the day. Straight up, no weathercocking, easy deployment, altitude ~650ft,... | | 2005-02-19 | Hunter Sheridan's Estes Alpha | A8-5 | - | My 5 yr old son Alex and I built this rocket. Added extra SC prior to flight. He loaded recovery... | | 2005-03-06 | Hunter Sheridan's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | Small rocket/park,used streamer,red chalk,SB1 tied to SC muted mode.Great flight ~900ft,lost some... | | 2005-03-24 | Hunter Sheridan's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | What a workhorse.I try to break it,she keeps flying perfect.Repaired fin w/Epoxy &... | | 2005-04-03 | Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Another nice flight, little windy so long drift on 12 plastic chute with spill hole. | | 2005-04-30 | Jay Stoll's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | Ejected out of sight with 12 inch Rockethead mylar chute. Last seen drifting over distant hill. | | 2006-01-03 | Bob Shaw's Estes Alpha | A8-5 | - | Second launch,bad weathercocking, almost 45 degrees at apogee. Fast rocket, takes off like a... | | 2006-01-03 | Bob Shaw's Estes Alpha | 2xA8-5 | - | First launch with this rocket, quick off the pad, went high on an A8-5. Homemade Mylar 'chute,... | | 2006-01-08 | Bob Shaw's Estes Alpha | A8-5 | - | Switched the mylar 'chute for a 12 plastic one with a large spill hole, worked real nice, landed... | | 2006-01-11 | Bob Shaw's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | 1000'+ on a C6-5. Landed 400 yds. from the pad. Taped the chute shut to 6 inches. 3 consecutive... | | 2006-01-11 | Bob Shaw's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Nice flight. 300'+ on an A8-3 | | 2006-01-11 | Bob Shaw's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | 600'+ on a B6-4, landed 170 yds. from the pad, used a 12 inch chute with a large spill hole. | | 2006-02-05 | Bob Shaw's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | After a A8-3 wind test, a madness took me. I loaded 'r up with a C6-7. She blasted off the pad,... | | 2006-05-06 | Chan Stevens's Estes Alpha | B6-6 | - | | | 2006-10-08 | George Beever's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | The good 'ol Alpha! Because the weather was perfect, I went with a B6 - great flight - really... | | 2006-10-08 | Chris Gonnerman's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Twenty year old rocket, wearing new paint and a new parachute/shock cord. Good flight, no real... | | 2006-10-28 | Jeff Lane's Estes Alpha | A3-4 | - | Very high flight. Long duration on 6 foot Mylar streamer. | | 2006-10-29 | Jeff Lane's Estes Alpha | A3-4 | - | Another perfect flight, another streamer duration flight. | | 2006-10-29 | Jeff Lane's Estes Alpha | A3-4 | - | Perfect flight, streamer duration. | | 2006-11-11 | George Beever's Estes Alpha | B4-4 | - | Out-of-sight flight! | | 2006-12-02 | T Muir's Estes Alpha | 1/2A6-2 | - | | | 2007-01-27 | Rick Lindsey's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Maiden flight, and it even had the first coat of color :). This was my 3yo son's replacement for... | | 2007-02-22 | Rick Lindsey's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | This rocket always flies up beautifully straight, and the 'chute deployed well this time. My... | | 2007-02-22 | Rick Lindsey's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Nice, straight flight. 'Chute didn't unfurl, wad recovery, but this may have been a good thing... | | 2007-03-11 | Chris Gonnerman's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | Very cool flight, good deployment, long drift, landed way outside the field, but was found. | | 2007-03-24 | Rick Lindsey's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Nice flight as usual, came down in the spectator row, caught by a fellow rocketeer :). | | 2007-08-19 | Chris Gonnerman's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Beautiful flight, good deployment, recovered within 100 yards of the launch stand. | | 2007-09-03 | Chris Gonnerman's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | It flew almost out of sight before popping the chute, and drifted quite a long way, even given the... | | 2008-03-25 | David Wallace's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | Alpha #1. Launch rod vertical - weathercocked slightly - drifted 600m (2000ft) away on standard... | | 2008-03-26 | David Wallace's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | Alpha #1 - Stronger wind now so launch rod angled into wind - landed intact 120m away off to one... | | 2008-03-26 | David Wallace's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | Alpha #1 - Stronger wind now so launch rod angled into wind - landed intact 120m away off to one... | | 2008-03-26 | David Wallace's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | Alpha #2 - standard chute with center intact. Landed intact 100m away. | | 2008-03-26 | David Wallace's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | Alpha #1 - launch rod vertical. Drifted 200m from launch site. No damage. | | 2008-04-27 | Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Great flight. Landed about 50 feet from the pad. | | 2008-04-27 | Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha | C6-3 | 1000 feet | Great flight. Decided to use a C6-3, Landed about 100 feet from the pad. | | 2008-05-04 | George Beever's Estes Alpha | A8-5 | - | Spun a bit on boost, but still straight up - good flight. | | 2008-05-05 | Natalie Orosco's Estes Alpha | A8-5 | - | Was a good flight, No ejection charge lawn darted can not be repaired. | | 2008-06-01 | David Wallace's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | Launch Control made critical error thinking wind had picked up & ordered a 20 deg angle on the... | | 2008-06-28 | David Wallace's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | 1312 feet | Nice flight - with kite flying in background no surprise it drifted 200m downwind - just missed... | | 2008-08-17 | George Beever's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Short delay, weak ejection charge. Parachute scorched and did not deploy. No damage. | | 2008-09-28 | Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Good flight, Nose cone stuck body tube no damage. | | 2008-10-15 | Charlaine+Cadence Nordin's Estes Alpha | C6-4 | - | changed the chute to a streamer and packed her with more poweer. flew great out of sight. landed... | | 2008-10-15 | Charlaine+Cadence Nordin's Estes Alpha | B4-3 | - | Corkscrewed again even worse this time. ejection charge riped shroud line from chute. | | 2008-10-15 | Charlaine+Cadence Nordin's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Lift off was fast and screaming. at 3 sec into flight she corckscrewed badly before she righted... | | 2008-10-15 | Charlaine+Cadence Nordin's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Add 1.5 oz waight to nose and new chute with snap swivel. she flew like an arrow. ejection went... | | 2008-10-25 | Joseph Olexa's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Good second flight today. Parachute eject and soft landing. Some cosmetic damage to fins from... | | 2008-10-25 | Joseph Olexa's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Smooth flight with no problems. Parachute eject with soft landing. Seemed like it got pretty good... | | 2008-11-11 | Mark Grisco's Estes Alpha | A3-4 | - | i kitbashed an alpha to fly on T motors. an a3-4 is perfect for this rocket. i am using an 8... | | 2009-01-05 | Mark Grisco's Estes Alpha | C6-7 | - | alpha on a C-6= 1200+'. i was able to track it the all the way thanks to red mylar streamer. | | 2009-03-08 | Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Nice flight. | | 2009-06-16 | Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | This one's getting pretty worn need to retire it. Great flight as always | | 2009-07-07 | Mark Grisco's Estes Alpha | A10-3 | - | my T size alpha. rips off the pad on a A10. cloudy skies made it hard to see but i was able to... | | 2009-07-11 | John Bergsmith's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | I got almost out of sight.....quickly! Nice flight or this old reliable design. Recovered with no... | | 2010-03-20 | Andy Wong's Estes Alpha | C6-5 | - | Without the two streamers, this rocket would of been long gone. | | 2010-03-20 | Andy Wong's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Used two 20 streamers for recovery without any broken fins. | | 2010-03-20 | Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | First Flight of our current paint scheme Alpha, drag raced with our Retro look Alpha, both did... | | 2010-03-20 | Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | 1st launch of our Retro paint job Alpha, drag raced it with our current paint scheme Alpha for... | 2010-04-11  | Andy Wong's Estes Alpha | B6-4 | - | Perfect flight, used rocket to check wind. | | 2010-05-07 | Judy Orosco's Estes Alpha | B4-4 | - | Good flight. | | 2010-05-07 | Judy Orosco's Estes Alpha | B4-4 | - | Nice high flight. | | 2010-06-05 | Jeff Lane's Estes Alpha | B6-6 | - | Wow, that was a straight-up flight. Mid-sized streamer allowed recovery before it hit the canyons,... | | 2010-07-04 | George Beever's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Flown a MIGHTY A8-3! Can't go wrong on thbis combo - great flight. | | 2010-08-02 | Jeff Lane's Estes Alpha | 1/2A3-4 | - | Very light build Alpha, but not light enough to get good altitude. Very late ejection, chute again... | | 2010-10-23 | Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | This is the current color scheme Alpha. Good boost, parachute did not fully open but no damage. | | 2011-02-07 | Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Always have liked the Alpha nice straight flight a little walk to recover. | | 2011-08-20 | Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | Good wind test flight for our retro-look Alpha | | 2012-04-09 | Cameron Talley's Estes Alpha | A8-3 | - | First launch of this classic rocket I built in my youth. Rocket is probably about 18 years old. ... |
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P.B. (July 1, 1999)