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

Brief:
The Maxi Alpha 3 is one of Estes year 2000 re-released limited edition rockets. It is rated Skill Level 2 with a 24mm motor mount. I have seen the price on this kit vary from $15 to $35. It is large version of the Estes classic Alpha kit. Like junior, it is a rather simple build. Stock build utilizes, BT-80 tubes, a 24 inch parachute, little paint (nose only), and pressure-sensitive decals. Intended D12-3 motors give a slow lift-off and relatively low flight. Although this is a very solid, stable flyer it does have the typical Estes shortcomings and easily lends itself to bashing for higher power motors.

All parts were present and supplied in a plastic bag. Overall design is basic. Larger 2.6" diameter body tube with BT-50 stuffer tube. This kit utilizes (3) BT-80 tubes - 9", 9", and 3 3/8" lengths. It uses a plastic assembly of rings and 3 fins around the shorter tube too create a fin unit module. Initially, I built this rocket stock, according to the directions (almost), with the exception of using epoxy for all tube couplers, die cut rings, and all stuffer tube/plastic ring joints.

Overall construction was straight forward and fast, with one exception. Pre-assembly without glue is highly recommended for this kit. If built per instructions the motor hook retainer tube is glued on prior to installing in the already assembled fin unit assembly. The hole in the plastic fin assembly centering ring is exactly BT-50 tube diameter. Thus, it won't fit! Fortunately, I have built many kits and always pre-assemble without glue. What you have to do is insert the assembled stuffer tube into the fin unit assembly PRIOR to gluing on the forward plastic centering ring. If this is overlooked, using sandpaper and a file, the stuffer tube hole in the aft plastic centering ring could be enlarged enough. However, a serious reduction in strength of the overall motor mount construction would result (epoxy city).

There was no mention of fillets for the fin to body joint. Obviously this is a must for any 24mm rocket. Don't forget it! I used epoxy versus the usual plastic cement recommended by Estes for plastic/paper joints. Secondly, I added an additional 50/55 heavy duty ring on the fore end of the stuffer tube where it joins the forward cardboard centering ring at the forward end of the middle BT-80 tube. This gave the stuffer tube a 3 point anchoring. This will serve to greatly increase the strength of the rocket body.

There are a few other upgrades that should be made on this kit. These would make this kit last longer than 5 flights on Estes D motors and others that would make it a staunch, crowd pleasing mid power flyer on other 24mm options like Aerotech E15, E30, F24, F40.

Finishing:
Stock finishing would have been a piece of cake. The intent was to have red plastic fin units (as is), a white (as is) body tube, and a nose cone painted a red to match the fins. There are those of us who can only build stock so far and then they just can't stand it any more. I thought the decals were cheesy and contained way too much advertising. So, I decided to paint it much more like junior.

I painted the whole rocket with Krylon. First white primer all over. I painted the fin unit a blue to match the main body tube decal, the body tube white, and the nose red. Then I only used one decal. I cut the red portion of the body tube decal off, using only the portion with the rocket name. The 3 decals for the interstitial positions on the fin unit are down right garish. They made the rocket look way to busy, so I left them off. Finally, a coat of gloss clear acrylic. The net result was a more professional, "American" paint job that sits side by side with junior looking much more like "Dad".

Construction/Finishing rating is a 3½. This is largely due to the potentially high price of this rocket versus the instruction error and the cheesy stock finish option. Additional mods are also required for a sturdy, versatile rocket.

Flight:
I am not sure where Estes gets the weights they quote on some of there packages. I am building a Broadsword now that quotes 6 oz and the weight of unassembled parts without glue or paint is 8 oz. Regardless, my finished Maxi Alpha 3 weight was 10 oz versus the 7.5 oz quoted on the package. I find it hard to believe that the epoxy glue, epoxy fillets, and added paint I used, accounts for all that difference. However, this means that D12-3 is the only Estes motor option. A D12-5 and you would have a lawn dart! Motor install with the hook is a breeze. The flight profile on the D12-3 is flat out awesome. It has a slow majestic lift off. The very straight, stable flight deploys a chute at apogee. All this in plain sight.

Recovery:
This rocket does use a rather large amount of wadding, but if you push a couple squares into the end of the stuffer tube it's not too bad. I did learn after the second flight (due to broken fins upon landing on a hard surface) that with the additional weight mine carries, a bigger chute is required. So, I now fly in on a nylon 30" chute with a small spill hole. Now comes the bad news. The Estes standard ¼" elastic cord attached to the centering ring lasted the typical quota of 5 flights prior to breaking. This has been replaced with 24" of 150# Kevlar and 36" of 3/8" elastic with snap swivels. The Kevlar is glued to the body tube wall. If you haven't built this kit yet, attach the Kevlar to the upper centering ring for a cleaner body wall.

Flight/Recovery rating is a 4½. The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 is the shock cord problem.

Summary:
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this kit. The flight profile is great. I have added ¾ oz clay to the nose and filed down the forward motor retainer tab to fly the rocket on E15 SU and E18 RMS as well. The extra weight also did not effect it's flight on the D12-3. Yes, now the hoss weighs 11 oz! It would be perfect rocket had Estes not made some compromises on the design. The weight could be less if balsa fins were used with a through the wall attachment. A Kevlar and 3/8" elastic shock cord with a combined length of about 5 feet is a must. Also, better decoration/painting is in order for such a fine flyer.

Flight Log

Date	Rocket Name	Motor(s)	Altitude	Notes
2000-07-25	Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-
2000-08-19	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Landed on hard surface, broke fin, needs bigger chute
2000-08-20	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Fin repaired. Much softer landing on 30 chute
2000-09-15	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Ejection broke 1/4 shock cord. Recovered all pieces
2000-09-18	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Much less stressful ejection with much longer Kevlar and 3/8 elastic combo.
2000-10-01	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E15-4	-	This bird was made for mid power, just awesome. Slow majestic off the pad and good height. Added...
2000-10-15	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E15-4	-	Awesome routine flight.
2000-11-11	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D15-4	-	Took two tries to ignite the motor.
2000-11-11	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-
2000-11-12	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Vry nice. A bit lower, but nose weight didn't hurt this bird
2000-11-19	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E18-4	-	Absolutely beautiful. Can't go wrong with this combination.
2000-12-10	Dave Russell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Typical nice flight. However, chute tangled, landed hard, broke and lost part of a fin.
2001-05-12	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D9-4	-	Perfect weather. Nice flight, but broke fin on landing.
2001-05-19	Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Another beautiful flight. Moderate winds made for a long recovery walk. Fins survived without a...
2001-06-24	Jeff Brundt's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	First flight of the day. I use this or my 2.6 V-2 to help determine the winds for launch & recovery
2001-07-01	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Broke fin.
2001-07-01	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E18-4	-	Good flight. Love that White Lightning.
2001-07-14	Luis Salinas's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-
2001-07-14	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E28-4	-	Uncertain of early delay, motor trouble? Will try again, but will need to mend the broken fin...
2001-07-26	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D15-4	-	Good flight.
2001-07-29	Jeff Brundt's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Used as the obligatory 1st flight of the day to test the winds. Good straight boost and perfect...
2001-07-29	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D15-4	-	Broke another fin.
2001-08-04	MikeyR's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E28-4	-	Nice boost. Landed on road and cracked a fin.
2001-09-01	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E18-4	-	Good flight, but broke fin (again).
2001-09-02	Jeff Brundt's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	The fist flight of the day, used to check wind conditions. A perfect flight.
2001-09-08	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F12-5	-	Good motor/rocket combo.
2001-09-08	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E28-4	-	Four seconds is too short, will try a seven.
2001-09-15	Bob Sanford's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Another fine flight of the ORIGINAL (1980's) version of this kit.
2001-09-22	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E9-6	-	Good flight even though the wind was picking up. Using a 24 inch 'chute resulted in another broken...
2001-09-22	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Nominal. Typical flight profile on D12 - low & slow.
2001-09-29	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Nominal for a D12 - low and slow.
2001-09-29	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F12-5	-	Good combination of motor/rocket.
2001-11-03	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E15-4	-	split the chute..recovered near and no damage
2001-11-03	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E11-3	-	Didn't deploy 'chute, broke a fin.
2001-11-03	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E18-4	-	Typical flight.
2001-11-24	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Second flight today; still using tumble recovery due to wind. Broke a fin (again). This rocket is...
2002-01-12	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	First flight after overhaul. Using 24 'chute with large spillhole. Lots of drift and dragged along...
2002-02-16	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	First flight after refit. Very nice boost, perfect delay. Wind carried rocket into tree. Rocket...
2002-03-28	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Beautiful - only a little drift despite a lot of hang time.
2002-04-04	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D15-4	-	Very nice!
2002-05-05	Malcolm Smith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Great flight, realistic lift-off and slight weathercock. Ejection was nearly perfect as the rocket...
2002-05-25	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E15-7	-	didnt have a 4 sec. so burnt another 7.....risky business....no more 7z for this rocket.
2002-05-27	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E11-3	-	Good boost, fun motor! Landed in pond - fished out by Jay. Tubing is wet but not soaked, OK after...
2002-06-01	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	First flight of the day: windy! Lot's of weather vane, and lots of drift.
2002-06-22	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F21-6	-	The new F21 motor really works well in this rocket. I was using E15s but no more.
2002-07-02	Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Beautiful straight flight. I managed to catch this rocket before it hit the ground to prevent fin...
2002-07-07	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F21-6	-	this rocket kicks butt on the F21.
2002-07-15	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D15-7	-	Late! Tangled 'chute; no damage.
2002-07-15	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Oh that was fun! Leaves the launcher with authority and then puts on the breaks, hangs there for a...
2002-07-21	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F20-7	-
2002-08-10	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E15-7	-	Nice! Good deployment, some drift.
2002-08-10	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D15-7	-	'Chute tangled, but no damage.
2002-09-07	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Club demo launch. Nice flight.
2002-10-05	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F21-6	-	Excellent!!!
2002-10-09	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Good flight.
2002-10-20	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F21-6	-	super launch...the F21 -6 is perfect.
2002-11-30	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E9-8	-	Picture Perfect. Disappointed with altitude due to launch angle in wind.
2002-12-16	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F12-5	-	This is an old package of reloads, and provided an extra long delay on all three in the package....
2003-01-25	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Nice flight.
2003-01-25	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Nominal flight.
2003-02-22	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Good flight.
2003-02-22	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Good flight.
2003-03-15	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E9-6	-	Good!
2003-03-15	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Higher! Lots of drift.
2003-03-15	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Low and Slow.
2003-04-12	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F21-6	-
2003-04-19	Randy Powell's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	F21-6	-
2003-05-25	Rocky Firth's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Maden flight. Got the kids attention.
2003-05-31	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Good!
2003-05-31	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D9-4	-	Very late ejection - this is a really old reload. Stripped the 'chute shrouds; no other damage.
2003-06-30	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D9-4	-	Long delay - no damage.
2003-07-26	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Low and slow; hung there for a split second then ejected.
2003-10-18	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Typical flight; 'chute hung briefly.
2003-10-29	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Low & Slow.
2003-10-29	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D15-4	-	Good flight.
2003-11-24	Tim Burger's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D15-4	-	Good flight.
2003-12-26	Jon Revelle's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Perfect flight. This thing ROARED off the pad. Landed in a low branch in tree.
2004-04-24	Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Very nice flight, gets about 400-500 feet on the D12-3. Very nice recovery close to pad. No damage.
2004-08-08	Rocky Firth's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Nice rocket for windy days. The D12 is a good motor to keep the recovery walk short.
2004-08-15	Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	2nd flight of day with same results - Good flight and short walk for recovery - no damage. Fun...
2004-08-28	Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Good high flight, ejection at apogee, good recovery
2004-12-28	Jon Revelle's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	AWESOME FLIGHT!! Came down slow, but managed to pop part of the fin lose.
2005-01-21	Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Delay decent for this rocket but not much altitude achieved with the C11 motor, may have reached...
2005-03-18	Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Good flight and recovery.
2005-08-07	Mark Beever's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Delay too short but still a good flight.
2005-08-27	Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Nice straight flight and good recovery. Nice stable kit to fly.
2007-03-27	Donald Besaw's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Another one I have not flown in a long time. Great flight. Two fins had the rear tabs broken off...
2007-04-28	Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Good boost and flight. Low and slow. good recovery
2008-11-22	John Bergsmith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E9-4	-	Flight on my son's Maxi-Alpha. Typical flight, recovered with no issues.
2008-11-22	John Bergsmith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E9-4	-	First flight on my daughter's rocket. Nice boost with no issues, and recovered with no damage. The...
2009-04-18	John Bergsmith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E18-4	-	Flight #2 on my daughter's rocket. Nice boost with no issues, and recovered with no damage. The...
2009-07-25	Andrew Grippo's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-
2010-05-14	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Good first flight. Deploy a bit early - try D12-5 next time. Good 'chute and near landing.
2010-05-14	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Good first flight. Deploy a bit early - try D12-5 next time. Good 'chute and near landing.
2010-05-15	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E20-7	-	After three tries, ZOOM! Great high flight. Good deployment and nice landing, but it took a long...
2010-05-15	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E20-7	-	WOW! Deployed a bit early (and about 1/2 inch of tube zipper). Good 'chute. Almost landed in the...
2010-05-15	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Perfect small field demo flight profile - go straight up, stop, pop 'chute, land less than 10 feet...
2010-05-15	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Very nice all the way around. Deploy just about perfect. Good 'chute (went down to 18 incher)....
2010-05-15	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E20-7	-	After three tries, ZOOM! Great high flight. Good deployment and nice landing, but it took a long...
2010-05-15	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E20-7	-	WOW! Deployed a bit early (and about 1/2 inch of tube zipper). Good 'chute. Almost landed in the...
2010-05-16	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-	Nice almost picture perfect flight. Slightly late deployment. Very nearby landing.
2010-06-12	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	C11-3	-	Angled north into wind. Good 'chute. Cracked the base of one fin on landing. Repaired with thick...
2010-06-12	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	-	Good boost. Early deploy while still going pretty fast. Popped one shroud line and short (about...
2010-09-18	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E15-7	1009 feet	Nice! Good flight profile overall. Close landing. No damage.
2010-09-18	Bernard Cawley's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E15-7	-	Nice! Good flight profile overall. Close landing. No damage.
2010-11-21	John Bergsmith's Estes Maxi Alpha 3	E18-4	-	Daughters Halloweeen Scheme, another great flight.
2011-06-17	C Graski's Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	500 feet	Fantastic first flight of this monster. Makes me want to finish my Executioner now!
2011-06-26	C Graski's Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	550 feet
2011-06-26	C Graski's Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	-
2011-06-26	C Graski's Maxi Alpha 3	D12-5	600 feet
2011-08-20	Douglas Hurstell's Maxi Alpha 3	D12-3	300 feet	Nice, slow, lift-off, came popped a pretty 'chute and smacked a soccer goal a few feet from the...
2011-08-20	Douglas Hurstell's Maxi Alpha 3	E9-6	450 feet	Low initial impulse, 1/8" rod rolled over and sent this flight on a trajectory that sent it into...
2011-08-20	Douglas Hurstell's Maxi Alpha 3	E9-6	750 feet	VERY slow liftoff. Beautiful flight, Straight as an arrow up, and came down sweetly 75' from the...
2011-09-11	Douglas Hurstell's Maxi Alpha 3	E9-6	550 feet	Delay too long
2012-03-18	John Bergsmith's Maxi Alpha III	Aerotech E15-4	-	Nice flight
2012-05-20	John Bergsmith's Maxi Alpha III	Aerotech E15-4	-

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

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