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Estes - Maxi Alpha III (001903, 1321) [1979-1985,2000,2011-]

Manufacturer:Estes
Diameter:2.6 inches
Skill Level:2
Style:Sport
Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Contributed by Jon Revelle

Brief:
Larger, cooler version of an Estes classic. This thing ROCKS!! I got it for Christmas. I saw it at Ace on December 14,2003 and I can't believe this rocket was still there. It's been OOP for about 3 years. It was a re-release of the original 1979 version.

Construction:
The kit has:

  • 3 BT-80 body tEstes Maxi Alpha 3ubes, 2 long and one short
  • 3 red plastic fins
  • 2 rings for holding engine tube, fins and connect short body tube to long tubes
  • 1 large unpainted nose cone (although it said there was no painting)
  • Decal sheet
  • Recovery and engine mount materials

This is a pretty easy kit, well deserving of a Skill Level 2. The challenging part of this kit is sliding the motor mount/fins into the large ring that holds the body tube.

I decided to go with the regular shock cord mounting method. I had concerns about the way Estes tells you to attach the shock cord (tying it to the engine ring) ripping out, so I just made a 3-fold shock cord mount out of paper.

This was the second time in one day that there was a knot in the parachute. I was building an OOP AMRAAM missile and it had a knot in it's chute. I got this knot out. It was finished in about 2 hours.

Finishing:
The rocket looks real good when finished. However, there is a lot of advertising. The large decal halves were difficult to apply without any little folds getting in the way. I had to paint the nose cone, even though the face card says "No Painting Required."

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I flew it once on a D12-3. This is the only engine Estes recommends. It ROARED OFF THE PAD!! Went out of sight. For such a heavy rocket, it sure drifts a lot. It went over the houses and landed in a very low branch. Needed a small ladder to recover. I won't fly it much because it's a wadding guzzler. It needs about 10-12 squares of wadding. It is a good number, but it almost finished off my Blastoff Flight Pack's wadding.

The flight was very stable and high. It hit about 550 feet. This rocket drifts waaaayyyy too much. It's a heavy rocket and it uses a 24 inch chute.

Recovery:
The parachute was good. Lots o' drifting. There was no damage because it landed in a tree. Low branch. Thank goodness! No assembly of the parachute needed. Everything went well.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
This is an excellent rocket that flies well and is a great looker. It's fun to assemble and fun to fly. All in all, An EXCELLENT rocket! Estes needs to bring this rocket back. If I could, I'd rate this rocket a 100!!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

    Flight Log

    DateRocket NameMotor(s)AltitudeNotes
    2000-07-25Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3-
    2000-08-19Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Landed on hard surface, broke fin, needs bigger chute
    2000-08-20Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Fin repaired. Much softer landing on 30 chute
    2000-09-15Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Ejection broke 1/4 shock cord. Recovered all pieces
    2000-09-18Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Much less stressful ejection with much longer Kevlar and 3/8 elastic combo.
    2000-10-01Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E15-4- This bird was made for mid power, just awesome. Slow majestic off the pad and good height. Added...
    2000-10-15Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E15-4- Awesome routine flight.
    2000-11-11Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D15-4- Took two tries to ignite the motor.
    2000-11-11Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5-
    2000-11-12Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Vry nice. A bit lower, but nose weight didn't hurt this bird
    2000-11-19Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E18-4- Absolutely beautiful. Can't go wrong with this combination.
    2000-12-10Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Typical nice flight. However, chute tangled, landed hard, broke and lost part of a fin.
    2001-05-12Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D9-4- Perfect weather. Nice flight, but broke fin on landing.
    2001-05-19Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Another beautiful flight. Moderate winds made for a long recovery walk. Fins survived without a...
    2001-06-24Jeff Brundt's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- First flight of the day. I use this or my 2.6 V-2 to help determine the winds for launch & recovery
    2001-07-01Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Broke fin.
    2001-07-01Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E18-4- Good flight. Love that White Lightning.
    2001-07-14Luis Salinas's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5-
    2001-07-14Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E28-4- Uncertain of early delay, motor trouble? Will try again, but will need to mend the broken fin...
    2001-07-26Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D15-4- Good flight.
    2001-07-29Jeff Brundt's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Used as the obligatory 1st flight of the day to test the winds. Good straight boost and perfect...
    2001-07-29Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D15-4- Broke another fin.
    2001-08-04MikeyR's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E28-4- Nice boost. Landed on road and cracked a fin.
    2001-09-01Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E18-4- Good flight, but broke fin (again).
    2001-09-02Jeff Brundt's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- The fist flight of the day, used to check wind conditions. A perfect flight.
    2001-09-08Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F12-5- Good motor/rocket combo.
    2001-09-08Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E28-4- Four seconds is too short, will try a seven.
    2001-09-15Bob Sanford's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Another fine flight of the ORIGINAL (1980's) version of this kit.
    2001-09-22Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E9-6- Good flight even though the wind was picking up. Using a 24 inch 'chute resulted in another broken...
    2001-09-22Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Nominal. Typical flight profile on D12 - low & slow.
    2001-09-29Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Nominal for a D12 - low and slow.
    2001-09-29Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F12-5- Good combination of motor/rocket.
    2001-11-03Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E15-4- split the chute..recovered near and no damage
    2001-11-03Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E11-3- Didn't deploy 'chute, broke a fin.
    2001-11-03Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E18-4- Typical flight.
    2001-11-24Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Second flight today; still using tumble recovery due to wind. Broke a fin (again). This rocket is...
    2002-01-12Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- First flight after overhaul. Using 24 'chute with large spillhole. Lots of drift and dragged along...
    2002-02-16Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- First flight after refit. Very nice boost, perfect delay. Wind carried rocket into tree. Rocket...
    2002-03-28Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Beautiful - only a little drift despite a lot of hang time.
    2002-04-04Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D15-4- Very nice!
    2002-05-05Malcolm Smith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Great flight, realistic lift-off and slight weathercock. Ejection was nearly perfect as the rocket...
    2002-05-25Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E15-7- didnt have a 4 sec. so burnt another 7.....risky business....no more 7z for this rocket.
    2002-05-27Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E11-3- Good boost, fun motor! Landed in pond - fished out by Jay. Tubing is wet but not soaked, OK after...
    2002-06-01Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- First flight of the day: windy! Lot's of weather vane, and lots of drift.
    2002-06-22Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F21-6- The new F21 motor really works well in this rocket. I was using E15s but no more.
    2002-07-02Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Beautiful straight flight. I managed to catch this rocket before it hit the ground to prevent fin...
    2002-07-07Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F21-6- this rocket kicks butt on the F21.
    2002-07-15Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D15-7- Late! Tangled 'chute; no damage.
    2002-07-15Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Oh that was fun! Leaves the launcher with authority and then puts on the breaks, hangs there for a...
    2002-07-21Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F20-7-
    2002-08-10Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E15-7- Nice! Good deployment, some drift.
    2002-08-10Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D15-7- 'Chute tangled, but no damage.
    2002-09-07Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Club demo launch. Nice flight.
    2002-10-05Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F21-6- Excellent!!!
    2002-10-09Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Good flight.
    2002-10-20Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F21-6- super launch...the F21 -6 is perfect.
    2002-11-30Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E9-8- Picture Perfect. Disappointed with altitude due to launch angle in wind.
    2002-12-16Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F12-5- This is an old package of reloads, and provided an extra long delay on all three in the package....
    2003-01-25Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Nice flight.
    2003-01-25Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Nominal flight.
    2003-02-22Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Good flight.
    2003-02-22Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Good flight.
    2003-03-15Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E9-6- Good!
    2003-03-15Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Higher! Lots of drift.
    2003-03-15Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Low and Slow.
    2003-04-12Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F21-6-
    2003-04-19Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3F21-6-
    2003-05-25Rocky Firth's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Maden flight. Got the kids attention.
    2003-05-31Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Good!
    2003-05-31Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D9-4- Very late ejection - this is a really old reload. Stripped the 'chute shrouds; no other damage.
    2003-06-30Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D9-4- Long delay - no damage.
    2003-07-26Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Low and slow; hung there for a split second then ejected.
    2003-10-18Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Typical flight; 'chute hung briefly.
    2003-10-29Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Low & Slow.
    2003-10-29Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D15-4- Good flight.
    2003-11-24Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D15-4- Good flight.
    2003-12-26Jon Revelle's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Perfect flight. This thing ROARED off the pad. Landed in a low branch in tree.
    2004-04-24Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Very nice flight, gets about 400-500 feet on the D12-3. Very nice recovery close to pad. No damage.
    2004-08-08Rocky Firth's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Nice rocket for windy days. The D12 is a good motor to keep the recovery walk short.
    2004-08-15Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- 2nd flight of day with same results - Good flight and short walk for recovery - no damage. Fun...
    2004-08-28Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Good high flight, ejection at apogee, good recovery
    2004-12-28Jon Revelle's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- AWESOME FLIGHT!! Came down slow, but managed to pop part of the fin lose.
    2005-01-21Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Delay decent for this rocket but not much altitude achieved with the C11 motor, may have reached...
    2005-03-18Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Good flight and recovery.
    2005-08-07Mark Beever's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Delay too short but still a good flight.
    2005-08-27Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Nice straight flight and good recovery. Nice stable kit to fly.
    2007-03-27Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Another one I have not flown in a long time. Great flight. Two fins had the rear tabs broken off...
    2007-04-28Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Good boost and flight. Low and slow. good recovery
    2008-11-22John Bergsmith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E9-4- Flight on my son's Maxi-Alpha. Typical flight, recovered with no issues.
    2008-11-22John Bergsmith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E9-4- First flight on my daughter's rocket. Nice boost with no issues, and recovered with no damage. The...
    2009-04-18John Bergsmith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E18-4- Flight #2 on my daughter's rocket. Nice boost with no issues, and recovered with no damage. The...
    2009-07-25Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3-
    2010-05-14Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Good first flight. Deploy a bit early - try D12-5 next time. Good 'chute and near landing.
    2010-05-14Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Good first flight. Deploy a bit early - try D12-5 next time. Good 'chute and near landing.
    2010-05-15Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E20-7- After three tries, ZOOM! Great high flight. Good deployment and nice landing, but it took a long...
    2010-05-15Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E20-7- WOW! Deployed a bit early (and about 1/2 inch of tube zipper). Good 'chute. Almost landed in the...
    2010-05-15Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Perfect small field demo flight profile - go straight up, stop, pop 'chute, land less than 10 feet...
    2010-05-15Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Very nice all the way around. Deploy just about perfect. Good 'chute (went down to 18 incher)....
    2010-05-15Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E20-7- After three tries, ZOOM! Great high flight. Good deployment and nice landing, but it took a long...
    2010-05-15Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E20-7- WOW! Deployed a bit early (and about 1/2 inch of tube zipper). Good 'chute. Almost landed in the...
    2010-05-16Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-5- Nice almost picture perfect flight. Slightly late deployment. Very nearby landing.
    2010-06-12Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3C11-3- Angled north into wind. Good 'chute. Cracked the base of one fin on landing. Repaired with thick...
    2010-06-12Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3D12-3- Good boost. Early deploy while still going pretty fast. Popped one shroud line and short (about...
    2010-09-18Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E15-71009 feet Nice! Good flight profile overall. Close landing. No damage.
    2010-09-18Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E15-7- Nice! Good flight profile overall. Close landing. No damage.
    2010-11-21John Bergsmith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3E18-4- Daughters Halloweeen Scheme, another great flight.
    2011-06-17C Graski's Maxi Alpha 3D12-5500 feet Fantastic first flight of this monster. Makes me want to finish my Executioner now!
    2011-06-26C Graski's Maxi Alpha 3D12-5550 feet
    2011-06-26C Graski's Maxi Alpha 3D12-5-
    2011-06-26C Graski's Maxi Alpha 3D12-5600 feet
    2011-08-20Douglas Hurstell's Maxi Alpha 3D12-3300 feet Nice, slow, lift-off, came popped a pretty 'chute and smacked a soccer goal a few feet from the...
    2011-08-20Douglas Hurstell's Maxi Alpha 3E9-6450 feet Low initial impulse, 1/8" rod rolled over and sent this flight on a trajectory that sent it into...
    2011-08-20Douglas Hurstell's Maxi Alpha 3E9-6750 feet VERY slow liftoff. Beautiful flight, Straight as an arrow up, and came down sweetly 75' from the...
    2011-09-11Douglas Hurstell's Maxi Alpha 3E9-6550 feet Delay too long
    2012-03-18John Bergsmith's Maxi Alpha IIIAerotech E15-4-Nice flight
    2012-05-20John Bergsmith's Maxi Alpha IIIAerotech E15-4-

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