Returning to rocketry with a vintage Estes Astron Scout

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Gamma68

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Greetings! First post here.

I got into model rocketry as a teen (early 1980s) after buying an Estes III Alpha rocket/launch pad kit at my local hardware store. I branched out a bit afterwards and built quite a few more to launch with my best buddy, who also flew rockets. I even built the Estes camera model and started flying rockets of my own design. All my rocket stuff was tossed when my parents sold the house.

Now in my 50s, I'm starting to feel some nostalgia and want to return to the hobby. Haven't built or flown a rocket for close to 35 years. I bought a new Estes Alpha and just picked up a vintage unassembled Estes Astron Scout off eBay. These are the two rockets I originally started with (although I'm pretty sure my very first was the Alpha III) and I think I made some nice choices.

Actually, I was very disappointed to learn Estes discontinued the Scout. You'd think they'd keep it active since it's an important part of the company's heritage.

Here are some questions:

  • Can anyone tell how old my Scout is from the packaging? Besides the items pictured below, it came with some Estes sheets: Preflight Preparation and Recovery Tips, Model Rocketry Safety Code, Join the Estes Aerospace Club, Technical Report TR-1, and Information about the Astron Scout.
  • The gauze is a little frayed in section 2. Is it still usable?

  • I'm not sure if the little wire attached to the circle is the Engine Retaining Wire. It looks really thin and skimpy compared to what I recall. If it's not the retaining wire, is there something I could use that I can find around the house? Maybe stripping a wire from a twist closure on bread packaging?

  • What would be my best choice for a launch pad/launcher? Looking for something inexpensive and simple but gets the job done.
Thanks in advance.

 
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For a launch pad or launch rod you can go find an old pizza pan that isnt used, or find an old piece of sheet metal, if you cant find either thats ok, if you can, go find a large plowed up field, the dirt is usually soft enough to stick in a launch rod about 6in the ground. A launch rod for that type of rocket would probably be a standard 3/16th rod , this can be easily bought at the Home-depot for less than $8. If you happen to find the heat deflector and rod you can put the the rod into the ground and the deflector next to it and launch the rocket ontop of it
 
For a launch pad or launch rod you can go find an old pizza pan that isnt used, or find an old piece of sheet metal, if you cant find either thats ok, if you can, go find a large plowed up field, the dirt is usually soft enough to stick in a launch rod about 6in the ground. A launch rod for that type of rocket would probably be a standard 3/16th rod , this can be easily bought at the Home-depot for less than $8. If you happen to find the heat deflector and rod you can put the the rod into the ground and the deflector next to it and launch the rocket ontop of it

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll also need all the ignition stuff too.

My buddy just used to put a wick in the engine and light it with a Bic cigarette lighter. I was always more cautious and used my Estes keyed launcher with the little Estes igniters.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll also need all the ignition stuff too.

My buddy just used to put a wick in the engine and light it with a Bic cigarette lighter. I was always more cautious and used my Estes keyed launcher with the little Estes igniters.
If you want to get your hands on some actual Estes equipment go to a nearby Hobby store or Hobby Lobby, they sell some rocket but all engines going from mini's to F class. Igniters and launchpad/rods are also sold their aswell
 
My first kit. The day iI broke it still lingers.
Please DONT fly it.
Please clone it to fly.
In my opinion it is ultra rare and very hard to find original.
TRUE collectors item.
My brother bought a Mosquito same day.
.69¢!
Jamey #5295
 
https://www.seateddimevarieties.com/BAR/pictorials/k1.htm

It looks like the kit you have is from 1980-85.

And that kit likely needs a 1/8” rod, not 3/16”. It’s only 7” long and less than an ounce. 3/16 is overkill. The cheapest launch system Estes sells will work just fine. You can usually get one (pad and ignition system) thrown in with a rocket at hobby lobby. You can use the hobby lobby 40% off coupon.
 
@5x7 beat me to it. The instructions should show you the proper use of the small wire.
Stick to 1/2A6-2 motors for your flights.
Hope you got it for a reasonable price; I picked up one or two that were a little pricey but it was my first back in the day so worth it to me.
 
https://www.seateddimevarieties.com/BAR/pictorials/k1.htm

It looks like the kit you have is from 1980-85.

And that kit likely needs a 1/8” rod, not 3/16”. It’s only 7” long and less than an ounce. 3/16 is overkill. The cheapest launch system Estes sells will work just fine. You can usually get one (pad and ignition system) thrown in with a rocket at hobby lobby. You can use the hobby lobby 40% off coupon.
My bad 3/16th is for larger rockets , i should of mentioned 1/8th thats for medium midsize rockets, also if you want to just build it but dont fly , its a historical artifact
 

Thanks for this link. The hang tag is missing from my packaging but it looks like mine dates from 1980-85, around the same time I originally built mine. Man, those scans from the 1980 and 1981 Estes catalogs bring back memories. I used to spend hours pouring over those pages.

What concerns me the most is the gauze and engine retaining wire. That wire really looks thin. Is it the right wire?
 
Welcome to the forum. I'm guessing that your kit from eBay didn't come with instructions. Here's a link to the original instructions, that should answer most of your assembly questions:
https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/k-01.pdf
The gauze is usable since it will be covered by a film of glue anyway. Or you can use some from your medicine cabinet.
The wire is for engine retention since the rocket uses tumble recovery. There is a port in the front of the tube for venting ejection gasses and when the engine casing moves backward the rocket is unstable so it does not come down ballistic.
Standard diameter rod for low power rockets is 1/8", not 3/16".
For launch pads, rods, sets, and controllers I hear that some Hobby Lobbys are having a clearance sale now, don't know if there are any in your area.
 
Thanks for all the quick replies. There's a Hobby Lobby not too far from me. I'll see what they have in launch pad kits.

So that thin little wire that came with mine is correct? It doesn't look like copper, either.

The assembly instructions are included but the wire seems bigger in the small illustration.
 
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My first kit. The day iI broke it still lingers.
Please DONT fly it.
Please clone it to fly.
In my opinion it is ultra rare and very hard to find original.
TRUE collectors item.
My brother bought a Mosquito same day.
.69¢!
Jamey #5295

I hear you. But these were meant to be built and flown! I plan on using low-powered engines and a large field so I can recover it. My thought was to fly it a few times and retire it. Then get the Semroc version for more flights.
 
@5x7 beat me to it. The instructions should show you the proper use of the small wire.
Stick to 1/2A6-2 motors for your flights.
Hope you got it for a reasonable price; I picked up one or two that were a little pricey but it was my first back in the day so worth it to me.

Got it for $9 plus shipping. Was very pleased.
 
Thanks for this link. The hang tag is missing from my packaging but it looks like mine dates from 1980-85, around the same time I originally built mine. Man, those scans from the 1980 and 1981 Estes catalogs bring back memories. I used to spend hours pouring over those pages.

What concerns me the most is the gauze and engine retaining wire. That wire really looks thin. Is it the right wire?

Welcome Gamma68. Yeah, that gauze does look a little threadbare. Some replacement materials come to mind: new gauze, used dryer sheet, model airplane tissue. The retaining wire is correct; it's meant to hold the motor within the airframe while it's sitting on the pad with the clips attached to the igniter wires. It is meant to give way when the ejection charge fires so that the motor can travel aft and initiate the tumble part of "tumble-recovery".
 
So that thin little wire that came with mine is correct? It doesn't look like copper, either.
Two wires are in the kit. The beefy one is the engine hook. The skimpy one is to keep the motor up against the nose cone on ascent. Had to refer to the instructions myself for clarification. Have fun!
 
For clarity, I'm referring to this skimpy thin wimpy wire, attached to circular sticker. This wire looks like it might break after a few bends. I can see that it would hold the engine in place on the pad before ignition. Is that its only purpose? Looks like it wouldn't hold up for too many flights without getting burned away.

The engine retaining wire in the kit I built years ago seemed thicker. But it's hard to recall.

Yeah, might be best to get some new gauze.

IMG_5959.jpg
 
The skimpy wire attached to the circle is only to keep the motor from slipping down while on the launch pad. If you loosely wrap the engine with tape enough so that it doesn't slide down (but still moves back at ejection) you can eliminate that wire. But then it would not be an "original" build.:D
The thicker copper wire is to keep the motor from kicking out when the ejection charge goes off. The sliding motor shifts the CG back and the rocket comes down unstable (tumbles) instead of ballistic.
 
The skimpy wire attached to the circle is only to keep the motor from slipping down while on the launch pad. If you loosely wrap the engine with tape enough so that it doesn't slide down (but still moves back at ejection) you can eliminate that wire. But then it would not be an "original" build.:D
The thicker copper wire is to keep the motor from kicking out when the ejection charge goes off. The sliding motor shifts the CG back and the rocket comes down unstable (tumbles) instead of ballistic.

Got it. Thanks. My goal is to build it as it was originally meant to be constructed in 1961.

Looks like I'll have to get new gauze as this stuff is stuck to the blue cardboard and will tear if I try to detach it.
 
BTW I also became a BAR about 5 or 6 years ago. These may not have been around when you were flying 35 years ago:
1. Laser cut fins. These young whippersnappers don't know how easy they have it nowadays.
2. Kevlar/Nomex/Aramid/CA et al... New materials, better performance, longer lasting...
3. 3D printed rocket parts. Virtually anything can be reproduced now. Great for cloning.
Laters.
 
BTW I also became a BAR about 5 or 6 years ago. These may not have been around when you were flying 35 years ago:
1. Laser cut fins. These young whippersnappers don't know how easy they have it nowadays.
2. Kevlar/Nomex/Aramid/CA et al... New materials, better performance, longer lasting...
3. 3D printed rocket parts. Virtually anything can be reproduced now. Great for cloning.
Laters.

Yeah, I can see in just skimming through this forum that some things have changed over the last 35 years.

Right now, my interest is in building the way kids did back in the day. Sort of becoming re-engaged with the roots of the hobby and keeping it simple.
 
Where do live gamma? I suggest joining the local club if there is one. Best thing I ever did in rocketry.
 
I can you shave the gauze off the paper with a razor blade?
 
Welcome! I love the old Scout packaging, thanks for posting - I think Estes rockets looked that way when I was a kid. I'm pretty sure that I built a Scout all those years ago. I'm sure it flew into a tree like most of my mini rockets. It's fair to say that I really didn't know what I was doing. I recently built 2 nostalgic Mosquitoes, 1 to keep, 1 to launch into oblivion. I agree with your disappointment about the retirement of the Scout. That was a nice little kit.
 
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