Gamma68
Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2019
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 7
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:
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.
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