Got a Bertha...

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Landshark

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I noticed a sale at Hobby_Lobby (don't know if they're nationwide, but there are a few in the Cincinnati area where I'm from) for 30% off all kits, starter sets and engines.

FWIW, HL seems like they're about 20-30% higher than online vendors, especially for some of the larger kits and engines, so the sale brings their prices back into a reasonable range.

Anyway, I got my son an Estes "Sky-Writer" (he gets a kick out of the pencil shape) and I picked up a Big Bertha. Always wanted one when I was a kid. Should be fun, although it seems it might need D power...heh-heh. My son and I will have fun building these soon.

Anyone have some Bertha color-schemes to show? I don't think we'll do the "all-black" look like on the card.
 
Build it stock and fly it with the Aerotech 18mm D motors that are the size of an Estes C motor.

https://www.valuerockets.com/default.aspx

https://www.valuerockets.com/product_details.aspx?pid=2&itemid=1

I noticed a sale at Hobby_Lobby (don't know if they're nationwide, but there are a few in the Cincinnati area where I'm from) for 30% off all kits, starter sets and engines.

FWIW, HL seems like they're about 20-30% higher than online vendors, especially for some of the larger kits and engines, so the sale brings their prices back into a reasonable range.

Anyway, I got my son an Estes "Sky-Writer" (he gets a kick out of the pencil shape) and I picked up a Big Bertha. Always wanted one when I was a kid. Should be fun, although it seems it might need D power...heh-heh. My son and I will have fun building these soon.

Anyone have some Bertha color-schemes to show? I don't think we'll do the "all-black" look like on the card.
 
Whoa...thanks, Shred! Those look pretty neat. What kind of performance can I expect from those types of D's in the Bertha? I think it's supposed to do about 500 feet with C power.
 
Welcome to TRF, Landshark!

You should check the HobLob website every Monday. For about the past two years they have been posting a coupon about every two or three weeks. It gets you 40% off any one item (off of regular, non-sale prices). You can print as many coupons as you like. They are running this coupon right now (you still have time to go back tonight and tomorrow!).

HobLob has a lot of good stuff in their store that can be used for rocketry. They sell Xacto knives, drafting equipment, cardboard matte (like used for picture framing), and lots of other stuff. You can cut your own centering rings (or even cardboard fins) and other parts from matte-board; CRs are easy to cut with a circle cutter tool (which they also sell at HobLob). They put these on sale often. I just got a few sheets of "scrapbooking" paper on half price--they didn't know this stuff could be some fun body tube wrap or fin cover material (with a little spray adhesive).

Do a search here on TRF (button at top toolbar) and use the words "Hobby Lobby" and you will find lots of posts.

We are glad you decided to join in here--don't be afraid to jump right in!
 
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Thanks for the tips and the warm welcome! I'll definitely check out the coupons and other supplies at HobbLobb. I wish they sold spare time...that's what I'm going to need if I keep buying kits!
 
Whoa...thanks, Shred! Those look pretty neat. What kind of performance can I expect from those types of D's in the Bertha? I think it's supposed to do about 500 feet with C power.

The 18mm D motor is twice as powerful in total impulse as the 18mm C motor, so it will go 'almost' twice as high. Not quite twice since there is an increase in drag as you go faster. No need to go for the D21 as the rocket is not very heavy. Use the lower average thrust D10 and select a delay time based on your fully loaded liftoff weight. Probably a D10-5 if there is any wind and a D10-7 if there is no wind and you launch straight up.
 
Found another. Not the greatest scheme, but better than plain black. This one has 3 motor mounts.

bertha3.jpg
 
I noticed a sale at Hobby_Lobby (don't know if they're nationwide, but there are a few in the Cincinnati area where I'm from) for 30% off all kits, starter sets and engines.

FWIW, HL seems like they're about 20-30% higher than online vendors, especially for some of the larger kits and engines, so the sale brings their prices back into a reasonable range.

Anyway, I got my son an Estes "Sky-Writer" (he gets a kick out of the pencil shape) and I picked up a Big Bertha. Always wanted one when I was a kid. Should be fun, although it seems it might need D power...heh-heh. My son and I will have fun building these soon.

Anyone have some Bertha color-schemes to show? I don't think we'll do the "all-black" look like on the card.

https://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=5133&highlight=bertha+paint
 
Definitely print out some of the 40% off coupons. They work great for some of the more expensive kits as well as the D and E engines. Below is a picture of our Bertha painted in vintage 1970's colors. My son, aka "Mr. Hollywood," is showing it off for us. Ninfinger is a great source for vintage paint schemes.
 
Definitely print out some of the 40% off coupons. They work great for some of the more expensive kits as well as the D and E engines. Below is a picture of our Bertha painted in vintage 1970's colors. My son, aka "Mr. Hollywood," is showing it off for us. Ninfinger is a great source for vintage paint schemes.

This is a great pic. He looks like a young Harry Caray.;) HOLY COW!
 
Thanks, guys... I like the earlier paint job like the one "Mr.Hollywood" is holding. Looks like the 70's paint scheme according to the other forum post / compilation.

I'll have to check out those BMS clones...
 
This is my new Super Big Bertha. I used the paint scheme shown on the box and I think it looks very cool! :cool:

superbigbertha001.jpg

superbigbertha002.jpg
 
Here are mine. Both are scratch. One is standard the other is a 175% upscale.
2nd picture is of the Standard Bertha in flight

BiggerBertha.jpg

berthalaunch2.jpg
 
That looks great, mine is still nekkid - oy the sanding on those fins....

Have you flown it yet? How did the fins hold up on the landing?

This is my new Super Big Bertha. I used the paint scheme shown on the box and I think it looks very cool! :cool:
 
That looks great, mine is still nekkid - oy the sanding on those fins....

Have you flown it yet? How did the fins hold up on the landing?

I used at first putty and then primer for the fins. That's my usual method and it works quite well. The fins are smooth and you only have to sand them twice... :D Masking off the white fin is a bit tricky because this rocket has gussets...
No, I didn't fly it yet. But I hope the fins will not break!

superbigbertha2 001.jpg

superbigbertha2 002.jpg
 
I'm at the paint stage with mine and I'm trying a little twist on the 70's paint scheme (somewhat like jdud's pic above). I see the long black stripe that leads to the black fin and the roll pattern up top, but it looks like there's also a white fin as well as part of that design.

Can anyone tell me if there's a white stripe to match the black one along the length of the body tube or is just the fin white?
 
Anyone have some Bertha color-schemes to show? I don't think we'll do the "all-black" look like on the card.

I love'em. Here's my latest. I named it Captain America!

CaptainAmerica5-2-09001.jpg
 
Looks great!

I used at first putty and then primer for the fins. That's my usual method and it works quite well. The fins are smooth and you only have to sand them twice... :D Masking off the white fin is a bit tricky because this rocket has gussets...
No, I didn't fly it yet. But I hope the fins will not break!
 
Finally finished the Bertha's paint. I decided to go for the original 70's style design, but changed from yellow/orange to a nice "True Blue".

The masking for the stripe and roll pattern took a while and I'm sure some of the paint lines aren't 100% straight, but I enjoyed the build and can't wait to launch it soon!

BBertha_full.jpg


Even the cat approves...

BBertha_cat.jpg
 
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