Bill Simon and Alphas at the Seattle Museum Of Flight

On the NAR Facebook page, Dan French posted some pictures of Bill Simon at the Seattle Museum of Flight: CLICK HERE

For all the true rocket nerds, here's a few pictures showing the changes the kit has gone through over the years. Enlarge for easier reading -

The white lines on the engine mounts are elastic holding them down on the display board.

50th Anniversary of the Estes Alpha!

The Seattle Museum Of Flight has announced its celebration of the Estes Alpha on YORF. To see the post, CLICK HERE

"Join us as we celebrate 50 years of the Estes Astron Alpha model rocket! The Alpha, which has been in continuous production for over 50 years, has introduced thousands to the hobby of model rocketry since its appearance in 1967. One of Estes best sellers, the Astron Alpha is a favorite of experienced rocketeers in its original form as well as subsequent variations created over the past half-century.

Displays: The National Association of Rocketry will exhibit models showcasing the evolution and descendants of the Alpha, including the world's largest, at 12 feet tall!
Meet and Greet: Bill Simon, the designer of the original Alpha will be on hand to talk with the public.
The Boeing Employees Model Rocket Club will host a special Alpha Anniversary launch on Sunday, Sept. 24 at the club's Kent launch site." 

Here's my Alpha build in the 1969 Estes catalog colors.
For more information, CLICK HERE

And for still more Alpha references, CLICK HERE

Vern Estes Signed Alpha Auction

The finishes Estes ALPHA, Signed by Vern Estes

Ebay Auction finishes up tonight around 10:00 p.m., EST

CLICK HERE

Stop by, make a bid and support the blog!

Signed Estes Alpha on Ebay

A finished Estes ALPHA is for sale on EBAY.
This one is special, it has Vern Estes signature on it.
I know you're thinking - Why would I sell it?
I have Vern Estes signature on some correspondence when he worked at Estes. Rather than have this rocket end up as a shelf queen, I'd rather it go to someone else who'd appreciate it.

The Alpha is in the classic 1971 catalog and face card paint scheme.
For more information: CLICK HERE

The Alpha II

Last month I asked if there was ever an Alpha II.
Here's one that was for sale on EBAY:

This Alpha II is Estes kit #1421
This EBAY listing included a replacement body tube. I guess the one in the kit was bent or oval.

Instructions are HERE
Looking at the back of the bag, the body tube has marked ink lines for the fin placement. The pre-cut fins are separate and off the sheet. The nose cone is blow molded.
The unusual shock cord attachment (unusual for Estes anyway) makes this a very different Alpha. The kit also has two snap swivels for shock cord and parachute attachment to the nose cone base lug.
As I have since learned, the Alpha II was designed for educators. This explains why it was never in a catalog.
Someone wrote this model had Metric measurement throughout. The face card specs are both in inches and Metric. All kit instructions are in inches.
The face card also states "Made in the USA".