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Estes - Alpha III (1256, 221256)

Manufacturer:Estes
Diameter:0.9800 inches
Skill Level:1
Style:Sport

Contributed by Dave Sutter

NOTE: This review is for the Alpha III in the Starter Set

[Rocket Pic]Ahh... Old Faithful. My first kit. Flown in excess of 30 times, and still going strong. A good flier, it always lifts straight and true. Works just fine on almost any 18mm Estes engine. I've made a habit of sending it up at least once almost every time I go out to launch. Had to re-tape the parachute shroud lines to the parachute, and I recently added a snap swivel because the shroud lines kept getting twisted up, but other than that it's been completely trouble free.

One of the great things about the starter sets is that you get everything that you need to fly the rocket three times except: glue, hobby knife, and AA batteries. It includes the rocket, 3 engines, igniters, recovery wadding, the launch pad, the launch rod, the launch controller... everything. If you bought all that stuff separately, it would cost quite a bit more.

Overall, it's very nice, and I highly recommend it as a first kit. 

Description: Set contains the rocket, the launch pad, and the launch controller. Alpha III rocket is a basic rocket.
Purpose: Great first rocket.
Motors: 1/2A6-2, A8-3 (first flight), B4-4, B6-4, B6-6, C6-5, C6-7
Max Altitude: 305m, 1000ft, presumably on a C6-5 and/or C6-7
Length: 12.25"
Diameter: 0.976" / 24.8mm (BT-50)
Weight: 1.2oz.
Recovery: 12" parachute
Fins: 3, one-piece plastic fin unit
Nose Cone: Ogive, plastic
Notes: Rather thin body tube. Includes engine hook. Requires 3 sheets of wadding.
Skill Level: 1
Part Number: 1406
Price: 31.79 (remember, this is for the whole starter set, not just the rocket, the rocket alone is 8.99)

    Flight Log

    DateRocket NameMotor(s)AltitudeNotes
    1999-12-18Jeff Fellman's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- A good flight
    1999-12-19Paul Smith's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Perfect flight. With talc, the chute opened fully despite the cold.
    1999-12-30Eddy Pula's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- It drifted into the football stadium but was retrieved after jumping the fence. A great flyer!
    2000-01-01MikeyR's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- 9 parachute Nicely into the fog. Nice and calm.
    2000-01-07MikeyR's Estes Alpha IIIB6-6- 9 parachute Nice and fast. Good flight.
    2000-02-13Jeff Fellman's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- A good flight even in high winds.
    2000-02-19MikeyR's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- 8 parachute Nice flight. Good boost and recovery.
    2000-03-21John Mark's Estes Alpha IIIA8- I had two A8's to burn, so I used them on my rocket, it flew good and straight, perfect launch,...
    2000-03-29John Mark's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Good Flight, perfect landing.
    2000-04-21MikeyR's Estes Alpha IIIB6-6- 8 parachute Nicely done flight. Zipped up fast!
    2000-04-24Ron Cooke's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Daughters first rocket built and flown today!
    2000-04-29David Kneble's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Low flight
    2000-05-02Joe Cacciatore's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- First new rocket in 15 years, launch from my backyard, lands next door OK.
    2000-05-21MikeyR's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- nose pop Nice boost. Landed close on the long grass
    2000-05-22MikeyR's Estes Alpha IIIA6-4- 12 parachute Again a nice flight.
    2000-10-08Steve Terrell's Estes Alpha III1/2A3-4- The ultimate small field rocket. Plug in a 13mm adapter and a 1/2A engine. Only went about 75'....
    2001-04-29Ken Kirkland's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Beautiful re-entry into model rocketry. Faultless flight, ending with a 25 yard hike to recover.
    2001-04-29Ken Kirkland's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- First flight with a B engine. Winds had picked up, coupled with larger engine= longer hike....
    2001-05-13Ken Kirkland's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Final flight. Wind took in into the top of a white pine.
    2001-06-06Charlie Kazmir's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Model landed near stream,the parachute was in the water,no major damage.
    2001-06-17Rick Adams's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Went straight up into cloudless sky--easy to see ejection. Came straight down on 1.5 x 15 inch...
    2001-06-29Donald Besaw's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Flown twice with this motor. Can't go wrong with this combo. Perfect recovery both times.
    2001-11-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Spot Landing Flight. At least it was inside 50 meters!
    2001-11-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- First flight of the day for Predicted duration. Shoulda stayed with the more conservative...
    2002-01-19Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Flight ok, slight spiraling on boost, otherwise good flight and recovery.
    2002-01-22Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Good flight and recovery, no problems.
    2002-01-26Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Good flight and recovery.
    2002-01-26MikeyR's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Spun like always.
    2002-02-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Drifted onto the power lines. Helluva way to lose a 20+ year old rocket.
    2002-03-17Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Quick high flight, good deployment, no problems.
    2002-03-20Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Good flight, windy long drift on 12 chute. No problems.
    2002-03-20Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- High winds, 15+ mph. Good flight and recovery.
    2002-04-17Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Good high flight, good recovery. Great for testing the winds.
    2002-05-14Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Good flight, somehow only attached two of the chute shroud lines to the swivel, came down hard but...
    2002-05-14Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Nice flight and recovery, no problems, got the chute on correctly this time.
    2002-05-19Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Another great flight on our primary wind tester. No problems.
    2002-05-25Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Another great flight, 12 plastic chute with spill hole works great on this rocket.
    2002-06-20Will Borkowski's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- Perfect flight up, bungee cord ripped/burned, body with fins recovered. Nose cone and parachute...
    2002-08-01MikeyR's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5-
    2002-09-12Jason Vennard's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Another perfect flight, straight boost good recovery, nylon chute.
    2002-12-17Greg Deeter's Estes Alpha IIIC6-7- First flight. Night, clear, mild wind. Estes C6-7. Flight intendedfor night lift off photo only....
    2003-01-05Bill Bill's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Maybe estes takes a little bit of propellant off some motors. Same altitude as the banshee on the...
    2003-01-05Bill Bill's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Nominal Flight. 250ft altitude. Higher than the bandit on the same motor though.
    2003-04-06Lance Alligood's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Straight, high flight. Parachute opened perfectly. Wind carried rocket ~250yds & landed on top of...
    2003-04-13Lance Alligood's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Launch pad angled into the wind. Perfect flight. Chute deployed but did not open. Caught rocket...
    2003-04-19Rocky Firth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- This is Mikki's first rocket. Flight was perfect.
    2003-04-27Lance Alligood's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- First flight of the day (as usual). Perfect flight. Great height for an A8-3. Parachute with spill...
    2003-05-10Lance Alligood's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Another excellent flight--what else can you expect?! Recovered within 50ft of launch pad.
    2003-05-10Lance Alligood's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- I wanted to see the difference in height between A8-3 & B6-4. It jumped noticably quicker & great...
    2003-05-28Lance Alligood's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Was still on the way up at ejection. Another excellent flight to test the skies!
    2003-05-28Lance Alligood's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- I knew the risks & this time it proved fatal. Super altitude & saw ejection blast. Vanished into...
    2003-05-31Randy Powell's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- Caleb's 2nd launch.This one really impressed him!!! Recovered with slight damage to a fin.It hit...
    2003-05-31Randy Powell's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- This was my Grandson Caleb's 1st launch!!! I believe we have a future rocketeer now.
    2003-10-25Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha III1/2A6-2- Good flight, although 1/2 A power doesn't put it up too high. Was concerned due to breezy...
    2003-11-29Jerry Nishihira's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Perfect flight, safe recovery.
    2003-11-29Jerry Nishihira's Estes Alpha IIIC6-3- estimated altitude @ 900'. Used a new chute by replacing shroud lines from stock Estes chute to...
    2003-12-31J Ruddy's Estes Alpha IIIB6-6- Bought the starter set for my nephew. His dad spent a good part of the day building the Alpha III....
    2004-02-12Alexander Minot's Estes Alpha IIIB6-6- Beautiful launch, very high. Perfect ejection, 6 second delay works great. Quite a bitof weather...
    2004-02-12Donald Besaw's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Wind test, nice flight about 300 feet up. Landed close by. No damage
    2004-04-17Philip Levanda's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- This rocket will disappear on a C6-5 make sure you have plenty of room and spotters.
    2004-04-22Brian Riendeau's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Nice launch. I very very happy with the altitude, the rocket was just out of view when the chute...
    2004-04-22Brian Riendeau's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Straight boost all the way up, landed about 25 yards from launch pad. Good combination for testing...
    2004-05-26Mike Mistele's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Good flight. Spun a bit as she went up (likely because one of the fins has a little bend on the...
    2004-06-05Jim Varkalis's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- After successful flights on B6-4 motors I kicked it up to a C. Wasn't tracking it, but she was...
    2004-06-09Kevin Danjou's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Lost in orchard. Lost forever.
    2004-06-22Patrick Huxley's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Maiden flight. Cocked a little from start? Flew to about 300 feet. Landed 20 yards away! Great...
    2004-07-02Mike Mistele's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Nice flight, though the slightly bent fins lent a fair amount of spin. Parachute caught a breeze,...
    2004-09-18William Beggs's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Great flight and recovery.
    2004-10-23Jeff Henry's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Very fast off the pad, great flight for my freinds four year old to push the launch button.
    2004-12-12Scott Hauff's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Flies great on this engine, nice and high. Switched the chute to a streamer, still walked 150 yds.
    2004-12-18Scott Hauff's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- nice high flight. Drifted ~100yds on streamer
    2004-12-18Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5- Wind tester flight, no problems, landed about 60 ft. from pad.
    2005-02-13Nathan Rupp's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Good boost, ejected a little early. Had a shock cord separation. Watched the nose cone float...
    2005-04-16William Beggs's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Great flight and recovery.
    2005-05-21Reed Johansson's Estes Alpha IIIB6-6- Great flight, but upper level winds caught it and it drifted into a tree. The next morning we...
    2005-05-21Johnny Lugnuts's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5800 feet The Alpha III, my first model rocket. It stood up to various misuse and misadventure, and always...
    2005-05-21Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5- NC separation from BT at ejection, shock cord mount came loose after 25 years of flying. Recovered...
    2005-05-22Reed Johansson's Estes Alpha IIIB6-6- Again, upper level winds caught it and took it to the trees, but this time we couldn't find it.
    2005-06-18Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5- My first flight at NERRF Day 2. Flew well as always.
    2005-06-25Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5-
    2005-07-30Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5-
    2005-08-27Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5-
    2005-09-05Michael Bentley's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Flew higher than expected. Good flight. Easy to recover. Minor tube damage
    2005-09-24Aaron Stanley's Estes Alpha IIIC6-6- Great flight. Won me teh C class parachute duration with a time of two minutes before I lost...
    2005-12-27David Barry's Estes Alpha IIIC6-7- Straight up, never to be seen again.
    2006-01-15Dave Brunsting's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Not a bad motor for this rocket.
    2006-03-08Richie Brunjes's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- Thought it was lost forever , found on the way out of the park
    2006-03-19Tom+Maggie Brogan's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Test rocket for the wind gods. Nice straight flight, good ejection, 50yd drift on 12 chute w/2...
    2006-03-25Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3-
    2006-03-30Richie Brunjes's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- Didn't eject or nose cone stuck . Went REAL high and did a nose dive into the Great South Bay
    2006-04-16SRP Crew's Alpha IIIB6-4- A little windy but managed to clock the flight to 62 seconds. It landed in the neigbor's field...
    2006-04-16SRP Crew's Alpha IIIC6-5- Very high and straight launch. It went through a low-lying cloud and was clocked falling to the...
    2006-05-20Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3-
    2006-05-30Trevir Maidel's Estes Alpha III4xB6834 feet 1st flight. The only problem was it drifted 400 feet into a gated community. luckley it was...
    2006-06-04Mike Mistele's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Very nice flight, good deployment. Wind took it, and I was afraid it was going to get eaten by a...
    2006-07-01Trevir Maidel's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- This was my second flight. Their was no wind condition at all . It blasted straight up. lost sight...
    2006-07-01SRP Crew's Alpha IIIB4-4580 feet Duration 50.2. Lost it in the swamp. Saw it come down. It was found the next summer.
    2006-09-02Mike Mistele's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5- Nice flight, smooth recovery.
    2006-09-30Ben Shetler's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Drag race w/ other Alpha III. Good fun. My original mod roc.
    2006-10-22Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Wind testing flight, didn't drift too far.
    2006-11-25Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Too bad this wasn't a spot landing contest because it landed about 7 ft. from the pad, good flight.
    2006-12-30Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3-
    2007-01-06Karl Kalbaugh's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- First rocket after many years. perfect launch Went higher than expected. Lost sight of rocket...
    2007-03-31Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Great wind tester flight to start our day, landed nice & close to the pad.
    2007-04-08SRP Crew's Alpha IIIC6-51107 feet Hardly any wind. Straight up flight. Beautiful blue sky and under near perfect conditions. It came...
    2007-05-12Christopher Bass's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5-
    2007-05-12Christopher Bass's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5-
    2007-05-18Aaron Stanley's Estes Alpha IIIC6-7-
    2007-05-18Aaron Stanley's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3-
    2007-05-26Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Straight boost and landed close to the pad despite the wind.
    2007-06-30Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3-
    2007-07-28Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Almost no wind, straght boost and came almost straight down, landed fairly close to pad.
    2007-08-26Mark Robertson's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Fist flight. Flew straight up into the blue sky. Recovery on Estes parachute close to pad with no...
    2007-09-30Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Usual good flight, came back on chute close to pad
    2007-10-15William Beggs's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Great flight and recovery.
    2007-10-16William Beggs's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Great flight and recovery.
    2007-10-16William Beggs's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Great flight and recovery.
    2007-10-16William Beggs's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Great flight and recovery.
    2007-10-16William Beggs's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Great flight and recovery.
    2007-10-21Mark Robertson's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Noticeably higher than an A8. But perfect flight and recovery after some drifting.
    2007-11-02Robert Hall's Estes Alpha IIIE9-8- poor conditions, parachute failed. Needs repair.
    2007-11-02Robert Hall's Estes Alpha IIID12-4- First flight with the d12, went well with 10 mph winds
    2007-11-03Robert Hall's Estes Alpha IIID12-5- Flight after repair, flew wonderfully
    2007-11-21Charlaine+Cadence Nordin's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- great flight. late enjection think my motors are getting old.
    2007-11-21Charlaine+Cadence Nordin's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- great flight no complaints. fast and perfect
    2007-11-24Delek Turner's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Redubbed Steve in honour of absent comrade. Best flight of day.
    2008-02-10Tony Interrante's Estes Alpha IIIC6-3- Final flight of the day. Same light winds, severe clear sky. This one was a shock to all viewers...
    2008-02-10Tony Interrante's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Second flight in progression to a c flight. Much the same as the a8-33 flight only much higher. I...
    2008-02-10Tony Interrante's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- a test flight for wind and safe construction. a quick enthusiastic flight on a very clear a calm...
    2008-03-08William Beggs's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5- Great flight. No damage.
    2008-04-27JST's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- Perfect flight. About 1,100 feet in variable 5-10 mph winds. Came down 200' from launcher.
    2008-04-27Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Good flight as always with this Alpha III.
    2008-04-27Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Great flight. First time using a B6-4 motor in this rocket landed about 50 feet from the pad.
    2008-05-05Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5- Great flight.
    2008-05-17JST's Estes Alpha IIID21-7- Awesome FAST flight to about 2,300 ft. Came down perfect in field but landed hard, bent airframe,...
    2008-05-17JST's Estes Alpha IIIC6-7- No wind at ground, but upper level wind weathercocked it major. Came down on street on other side...
    2008-06-01Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Shock cord separated, cracked one fin. Repaired at field, will live to fly another day.
    2008-06-14Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Great flight. Launched at a smaller field on this flight added a 9inch chute.
    2008-07-27Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Great flight.
    2008-08-24Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Good flight.
    2008-08-24Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIB6-6- Good flight
    2008-09-28Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Good flight.
    2008-10-04Brian Yankee's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- Went up about a thousand feet. Up too hight to see ejection being before, at or after apogee. Used...
    2008-10-12Mark Robertson's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Went quite high on the A motor. Parachute didn't deploy fully. Rocket still drifted quite a...
    2008-10-26Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Parachute did not fully open but no damage.
    2009-01-04Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- First lunch of the New Year.
    2009-02-15Jamie Martin's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- to windy today went up above the clouds and never saw it again, might still be going
    2009-05-01Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Nice flight.
    2009-05-01Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Good Flight.
    2009-06-16Jason Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Very nice flight.
    2009-09-13Jason Lenentine's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Perfect flight, but was eaten by rocket eating tree.
    2010-01-27 Bernard Cawley's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Straight boost with noticeable rolling. Good deploy right at apogee. Near landing.
    2010-01-27Bernard Cawley's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Beautiful high flight with good deploy. Long drift - ended up in middle of parking lot (yikes!)....
    2010-01-29Bernard Cawley's Estes Alpha IIIA6-4- (Streamer substituted for stock parachute) Good boost after hesitation as thrust built up. Deploy...
    2010-02-13Bernard Cawley's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- OK flight - mainly done to cross check the others. Deploy at good time and good streamer. Wet! ...
    2010-03-13Bernard Cawley's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- (streamer rather than 'chute). Great flight - straight high boost, good deploy at the right time....
    2010-03-19 Judy Orosco's Estes Alpha IIIA8-5- Good flight landed about 10 feet from the pad.
    2010-03-20Moe Bertrand's Estes Alpha IIIC6-7- PRM-22 Predicted Duration Event. Predicted: 49 seconds...43 seconds actual duration.
    2010-04-10Bernard Cawley's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Gusty winds between 5 and 25 mph. Streamer-recovered flight for the Cub Scouts. Good straight...
    2010-04-18Bernard Cawley's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- Wiggled off pad and headed way upwind (marginally stable on this motor?). Some said they saw...
    2010-05-16Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2A10-3- Optical tracking altitude estimate, 160 feet. Good flight with a little early deployment.
    2010-05-16Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2A10-3160 feet Straight up. Deploy a bit early. Good 'chute and landing.
    2010-05-16Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2A3-4- Not bad. Deploy a bit late. Good 'chute.
    2010-05-16Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2A3-4- Not bad. Deploy a little bit late. Good 'chute.
    2010-05-31Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2A8-3180 feet AltimeterOne aboard. Almost picture perfect flight. Good boost, deploy. Landed on field table...
    2010-05-31Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2B4-4489 feet AltimeterOne aboard. Good boost. Deployment timing OK but 'chute really tangled (seems to be the...
    2010-06-12Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- Pretty straight boost with landing not too far off the pad considering the windy conditions
    2010-06-12Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2A8-5- Why did I choose 5 seconds? CRASH with AltimeterOne aboard. VERY late deployment about five feet...
    2010-06-30Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- A terrific flight on B6-4 but drifted forever in the wind (46 s. duration). It landed just shy of...
    2010-06-30Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- My brother had an Alpha III when we were kids (35 years ago?), and I always admired its...
    2010-07-06Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- A nice flight on A8-3 to check winds. Duration 21s.
    2010-07-06Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Quite a flight. The Alpha III drifted in a slight breeze aloft over a treeline and into a...
    2010-07-10Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2B6-4467 feet Rebuilt with ST-9 body after last month's crash. Good flight all around. Good 'chute. Long walk...
    2010-07-13Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Almost out of sight on a B4-4, though my trial streamer recovery landed it 600' away. About 20'...
    2010-07-13Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- I tried dual 2 x 20 streamers to see if I could fly bigger motors on my smallish field today. ...
    2010-08-02Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Recovered on dual 24 streamers. Came down hard on hard-packed baseball infield but no damage. ...
    2010-08-02Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Straight as an arrow, 43s duration. Shroud lines tangled with motor hook resultion in an...
    2010-08-02Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- A picture perfect flight, recovered 25' from launch pad. 19s duration with 2 spillhole.
    2010-08-10 Kevin Birch's Estes Alpha III (1)A8/5-
    2010-09-05Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Recovered on dual crepe streamers.
    2010-09-05Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- A nice flight with little to no wind. Recovered on 12 in chute with spillhole.
    2010-09-18Mike Mistele's Estes Alpha III1/2A6-2- Wimpy flight, too little motor. Went up maybe 50'. Parachute never really unfolded, but landed...
    2010-10-05Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- A nice, pretty flight. Duration was 28s on dual crepe streamers.
    2010-10-05Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA10-3- First try of my new 13mm / 18mm adapter, with an A10-3 installed. Performance was only slightly...
    2010-10-05Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- A good flights to check wind direction and drift. Landed within 50' of launch pad.
    2010-10-23Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Flew a B4 in the wind to compare with B6. BIG weathercock, 22 second duration on dual crepe...
    2010-10-23Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Flew on dual streamers because of the wind. A big whoosh as my trusty A-III sliced into the wind....
    2010-11-06Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Excellent flight on my favorite motor for this bird. Seemed to hang forever on 12 inch parachute...
    2010-11-06Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- A good warm-up flight on an A8-3. Used a 12 inch chute with spillhole.
    2010-12-04 vincent penoso's Estes Alpha IIIC6-5- This was the maiden flight and was spectacular. It had to have gone 1000 ft. and drifted clear...
    2010-12-11Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIA8-3- Used streamer, fast return, no damage.
    2010-12-11Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIC6-5- Launch rod slightly tilted upwind. Fast return on streamer, bent fin on hitting asphault.
    2010-12-28Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIB4-4- Switched back to parachute, straight flight.
    2011-01-02Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIA8-3- straight up lauch, weather cocked
    2011-03-16Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA8-3- With my better half and 2-year-old son. Landed hard on sidewalk - no damage.
    2011-03-16Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- A nice flight, recovered on crepe streamers. About as big a motor as I would try on this small...
    2011-04-23Bernard Cawley's Alpha III-2A8-3- Nice! Straight, well timed, good 'chute. Right back to pad.
    2011-05-20Paul Nortness's Alpha IIIA8-3175 feet First launch in over 20 years. Loaded up the Alpha III and launched straight up. Rocket was...
    2011-06-01Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Nice altitude, then the 12 inch chute with spillhole opened. My AIII hung there like a hot-air...
    2011-06-21Justin Stotter's Alpha IIIA8-3, B6-4- Nice flight and recovery with A engine. Too windy for B engine and drifted beyond the field, never...
    2011-06-30Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA10-3- I used an A10-3 and one of my newly-built clipless motor mount adapters - design from Apogee's...
    2011-07-15Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIA10-3- My A3 works really well to test the wind with an A10-3 and 12 inch chute. This evening - calm on...
    2011-07-23Glenn Weiss's Estes Alpha IIIB6-4- Chute did not fully deploy but ok
    2011-08-17Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Old Reliable flew well again today on a B4-4. I have a ton of flights on this rocket.
    2011-09-17Ray "AcroRay" Miller's Alpha IIIB6-4800 feet High, straight flight. Streamer deployment after apogee. Safe recovery. Classic performance!
    2011-12-11Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIA8-3- Parachute stayed bundled Landed 30' off cul-de-sac downwind, no damage
    2011-12-18Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIEstes B4-4- Weathercocked somewhat into the wind, but drifted back to within 100' on recovery. I was...
    2011-12-31Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIC6-5- straight up launch Parachute good Landed ~800' SE
    2012-01-05Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIC6-5- straight up launch - parachute good - landed ~800' SE
    2012-01-29Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIA8-3- Good flight. nothing special. Landed 300' downwind (SSW).
    2012-02-01Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIEstes A10-3T- Last of 8 flights for the day. Just a nice chute recovery on an A10-3 with adaptor.
    2012-02-06Karl Brandt's Alpha IIIA8-3- Straight up launch. Fought wind at apogee, parachute good; landed 100' E without damage
    2012-03-14Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIB4-4- Nice flight. Recovered on crepe streamer.
    2012-05-15Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIEstes A10-3T- Nice flight, good chute deployment. Used 13mm split adapter.
    2012-05-15Dean Booth's Estes Alpha IIIEstes B4-4- The crepe streamer deployed beautifully and my A3 drifted almost back to the pad.

    Comments:

    J.B. (July 1, 1999)

    The Alpha III is a great starter kit and after about 25 flights the body tube gave out so I taped it up filled it then repainted. Now after being back in rocketry for about 3 years the Alpha III is always my first rocket up (to check winds). Mine has 52 flights on it and its about time for a new one and I will buy a new one! The review was right on. Just as a note this is a great flyer for young kids.

    J.H. (April 1, 2001)

    When seeking a good science experiment at age 14, I picked up the Ionizer Starter pack, and a second rocket which was the Alpha III. This is a great rocket that will really boogie on a C6-7. Fly in low winds because this thing goes very high (1100 feet). I was thinking 500ish but it toped that and did more. The rocket alone is about $10 (average) or in a starter set, $20. After you get this one going, grab the Alpha. It's basically the Alpha III, only balsa. Alpha III is great.

    B.C. (September 1, 2001)

    This review was on the $! The Alpha III is a great starter bird, as well as a proven performer. Introduce kids to rocketry? Can't go wrong with this rocket. Want to check the winds before scorching some larger motors? The Alpha III is ready to go! Another bonus is that this rocket is easily fixed or cloned if damaged. I've replaced the tube for my buddy's daughter many times without any problems. Windy, but you still wanna fly a C motor in a smaller rocket? Swap out the chute for a steamer, and let 'er rip! Only suggestion: lengthen the shock cord to at least 2 times the rocket length. Great rocket that hopefully will last as long as this hobby!

    P.R.J. (March 20, 2002)

    There isn't much more that can be said that hasn't already been said about this rocket. Great first rocket. Easy to build and very reliable launches. I got 13 flights (unlucky 13?) before losing this rocket in the fading sunlight of dusk. Launched on a C6-7 and never saw it again. Would highly recommend this rocket too anyone starting out in rocketry.

    A.J.I. (February 10, 2008)

    I purchased the Alpha III kit to get back into rocketry. Essentially, I just wanted the launch pad and controller, but I got much more in the quality of this rocket. I flew it three times today in the Dallas area. Each flight was flawless with the chute opening each time. a-8-3, b-6-4, c-6-3. On the c flight it went out of ground tracking vision for about 30 secs. It then appeared where I predicted the wind would take it. Truly amazing rocket package. Enjoy this hobby!! It is one of the best!

    J.G. (April 24, 2008)

    I have always liked the Alpha III. It was my first rocket when I was a kid, so I decided to get this as the first rocket for my stepson to see if he liked rocketry. Our new one has performed beautifully as would be expected. We liked it so much we built a second one. This one has modifications which I recommend any Alpha III flyer should try out (RockSim File to come): 1. Put a very small weight in the very tip of the nose cone. Something just under .5 oz. Seems to get better altitude because this preserves momentum during coast phase. Otherwise, this lightweight rocket slows down during coast due to wind resistance. 2. Put the shock cord mount further back into the body tube than recommended by the instructions. I put ours as far back as I can reach. 3. Ditch the rubber band type Estes shock cord, and use a 1/2 Kevlar® 1/2 elastic cord (like in a Quest kit). 4. Ditch the plastic chute and use a 4" x 40" nylon streamer. It gives you a really good descent rate, and drops the rocket down straighter, with less drift. If you use higher power engines (We only fly ours on Estes C's and Aerotech 18mm D21's), you will be a lot more likely to get it back this way. The fin assembly can take a lot of abuse, so don't be worried about using a chute to get a gentle landing. 5. We use a small Nomex® protector instead of recovery wadding in ours. It works great. Try it. 6. Stick the launch lug onto the fin unit, right up against where one of the fins joins the fin can. This ensures it will be 100% straight, it is easier than what is in the instructions, and the attachment to the rocket is WAY stronger. IMHO it looks better too. We stripped off the factory black finish on the body tube and gave ours a custom paint scheme. It looks cool. Definitely something you might want to try The Alpha III is an easy-to-build, great performing rocket. A 9 year old kid can put it together in under an hour, and given the features of the kit, it will fly perfectly even if built by a 9 year old with no previous rocket building experience. That makes it a great first rocket. I have flown a lot of rockets, but this is still one of my all time favorites.

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