Another Project

[ACSpectre]

At a point in my ongoing builds where the next step requires a substantial chunk of time. I only had a little time today and really had the itch to sit down at my workbench. I finally fully completed unpacking after my recent move a few days ago and found this in the works project at the bottom of a packing tote. It is an Estes flying model rocket replica of a Mercury Redstone rocket. I bought it along with a couple other rockets for my son as a Christmas gift one year. We built and flew several of the other rockets but never got to complete building this one. I will likely never fly this one but I do have a passion for the American Space Program and thought this would be a fun build and make a nice display.

The fit of some of the parts is not the greatest, but with a little modification and some patience it should make a decent model.

 

[Louis]

This can fly, AC?

 

[ACSpectre]

Yes, the Estes company makes an entire line of flying model rockets. A small disposable solid fuel motor is installed in the bottom of the rocket. It is initiated electronically and the rocket takes flight. The rockets are recovered via parachute. It is a hobby I spent a lot of time on when I was a kid and my son really liked it as well. It really is a lot of fun.

 

[ACSpectre]

Here is a link to their website:

http://www.estesrockets.com/

 

[Louis]

Great, would pay to see it ... Must be an expensive toy ...

 

[ACSpectre]

Actually, not too expensive. The kits themselves are pretty affordable and once you invest in a launch setup the only expense is engines and engine igniters.

Here is a video that shows both a launch and the assembly of a rocket.