Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Diameter: | 0.98 inches |
Length: | 12.30 inches |
Manufacturer: | Estes |
Skill Level: | 1 |
Style: | Sport |
The Alpha has been around a long time. Combining simple construction (skill level 1), good looks, and great flying characteristics, it is considered a classic.
Like most Estes kits, it comes in a plastic bag. Our kit had some pretty poor quality balsa, but some careful work with sandpaper and Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish resulted in a good looking rockets. The instructions and diagrams were up to Estes usual high quality, and the only other complaint is the (always) too short shock cord. By all means replace it with sewing elastic at least twice the body length.
To give an idea of how old the Alpha design is, our package recommended at least three motors that Estes no longer makes. Still available motors are the 1/2A6-2, A8-3, B4-4, B4-6, B6-4, B6-6, and the C6-5. The Alpha flies great on the smaller motors. If you ever find any A8-5s, try comparing the flight with an A8-3. The Alpha makes great use of that extra two seconds of delay. Pick your motors carefully, or you might never see it again.
Con:
Estes shock cords are too short!
Pro:
Great altitude and stability, lots of motor choices
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 ...
Great rocket. I used it for a movie this summer on a 1/2 A8- Something or other. I got some nice flights out of it, but on its last flight it had a motor mount separation and also a fin pop. The parachute never opened so I recommend putting only a little bit of recovery wadding. Anyway it was a good experience. I just last week dusted off that dirt. I rate this rocket an A+. Have fun times flying:)
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P.B. (July 1, 1999)