Alpha III Launch Set, 12 years and up with Adult Supervision if under 12 Single

Brand:Estes

3.6/5

83.86

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The Estes Alpha III rocket launch set contains a launch controller, launch pad, and rocket kit packet with materials and instructions required to assemble the rocket. It is recommended for children 10 years and older with adult supervision up to age 12. The orange plastic nose cone, body tube, one-piece plastic tail fin unit, and self-stick decals allow assembly of the rocket without painting. Additional supplies required to launch the rocket include model rocket engine, starter, recovery wadding, and glue (sold separately). This rocket launch set provides the equipment required to launch (with required components) the Alpha III rocket repeatedly and is suitable for youth group activities such as with clubs and schools. SpecificationsSkill levelEasy to Assemble (E2X), simple gluing, no paintingAge recommendation10 years and up, adult supervision under 12Recommended engines1/2A6-2, A8-3 (First Flight), A8-5, B4-4, B6-4, B6-6, C6-5, C6-7Projected maximum altitude1,100' (335m)Rocket weight1.2 oz. (34 g)Dimensions*12.3 x 0.98" (H x W)Required components (not included)Rocket Engine with Starter, such as Estes 001598 A8-3 Engine Recovery Wadding, such as Estes 002274 Wadding *H is height, the vertical distance from the lowest to highest point; W is width, the horizontal distance from left to right. A model rocket kit includes reusable parts, and requires launching equipment and single-use launching supplies. These kits are recommended for children 10 years and older, with adult supervision advised to age 12. Rocket kit assembly encompasses a range of skill levels—from Easy-to-Assemble (E2X), requiring only simple gluing and less than an hour of time—to Level 5, requiring multi-step assembly with measuring, cutting, gluing, and painting tasks. Reusable rocket kit components include a cone, a body tube, and a recovery parachute. A rocket engine, a starter, and recovery wadding are used once. Rocket engines come in a variety of sizes, time delays, and burn durations. A "first-flight" engine recommendation is generally made for each rocket kit. A launch pad has a stable base and a vertical rod that provide vertical stability during initial liftoff. A launch controller has a keyed ignition switch to prevent accidental ignition, and a cable provides a safe distance from the rocket during launch. Bulk packs of model rocket kits are available for clubs and schools, and allow groups of children to experience building and launching a rocket. Estes manufactures model rocket kits, launching equipment, and rocket engines. The company, founded in 1958, is headquartered in Penrose, CO. WHAT'S IN THE BOX? * Alpha III assembly kit * Astron II launch controller * Astron II launch pad * Supply/instruction packet FROM THE MANUFACTURER Join the hundreds of thousands of people who got their start in model rockets with this classic. The Estes Alpha III was the very first rocket in the E2X series. E2X (Easy to Assemble) is a rocket series designed with beginners in mind. With all colored rocket parts and easily applied self-stick decals, you’re ready for liftoff in minutes. The black body tube, bright orange nose cone and one piece fin unit build quickly into one flashy rocket. With nothing more needed than glue, you can be on the flying field in no time at all. Using standard Estes engines, the Alpha III soars to heights over 1,100' (335 m). Whether you’re a first time rocketeer or a long time flyer, this 12.3" (31.1 cm) Alpha III is a true classic that should be in everyones’ collection. What more could you ask for than a high performance, high flying, classic rocket. Assembly takes one hour or less. An Estes controller and launch system are included. Requires 4 - AA 1.5V batteries for the launch controller - sold separately. Recommended for ages 10 and up with adult supervision for those under 12.

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EAN: 0047776014275

Categories Vehicles, Toys & Games,

Flies over 1100'. Launch system included (Launchpad colors may vary). An Estes classic. Almost ready to fly. Easy to assemble. ESTIMATED ASSEMBLY TIME: 1 Hour (painting and glue drying time not included). PROJECTED ALTITUDE: 1150 ft. (351 m) on a C6-7. RECOMMENDED ENGINES: 1/2A6-2, A8-3, A8-5, B4-4, B6-4, B6-6, C6-5, C6-7. SKILL LEVEL: The Alpha III is an easy-to-assemble, Beginner level rocket with pre-colored parts. There’s no thrill quite like launching a model rocket, watching it streak skyward, reach peak altitude, and then return gently to earth. When you build them, the thrill is even better than ever. Thanks to Estes model rocketry, kids can explore the wondrous world of science while experimenting with different combinations of rockets, engines and accessories to better understand how rockets reach outer space.
Age Range (Description) Adult
Brand Estes
Color Orange
Country of Origin USA
Customer Reviews 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,253 ratings 4.5 out of 5 stars
Domestic Shipping Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
Included Components Estes Rockets 1427 Alpha III Rocket Launch Set, E2X
International Shipping This item can be shipped to select countries outside of the U.S. Learn More
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer No
Item Dimensions LxWxH 12.3 x 0.98 x 12.3 inches
Item model number 1427
Item Weight 1.2 Pounds
Manufacturer Estes
Manufacturer recommended age 10 years and up
Material Plastic
Model Name 1427 Alpha III Rocket Launch Set, E2X
Number of Pieces 1
Product Dimensions 12.3 x 0.98 x 12.3 inches
Release date January 1, 2018
Style Single
Theme Rocketry

3.6

13 Review
5 Star
73
4 Star
15
3 Star
7
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Scritto da: David Collins
Flies good
Easy construction and works good
Scritto da: coby
broken package-shipping needs outer hard box
broken package-shipping needs outer hard box But inner kit was safe
Scritto da: Deb C.
Simple and pretty foolproof assembly
I bought the kit and the engines and the wadding suggested for my 63rd birthday to impress the grandchildren. The engine suggested is the lowest in height of flight which is fine with me but it comes from a different provider and hopefully will arrive soon. Multiple launches are more important to me than the rocket going so high I never see it again. It looks like the same kit I put together when I was 15 and just like then I didn't wait for the glue to dry. But assembly was very simple and included the launch pad. The ad showed a red model and the actual is light orange.
Scritto da: Ike
Nostalgic fun.
Easy to assemble. The last time I built and launched an Estes rocket was in 1980. I decided to buy this one and launch it for old times sake. The Alpha 3 was the first of many model rockets I built as a kid. The first launch was with an A8-3 engine. The chute only partially deployed but it landed pretty close to the launch point. I had angled the launch pad to send the rocket upwind a bit as there was a pretty steady wind. Then I went right to the C6-5 engine. I had forgotten how the C engines really send a small rocket up high. I lost sight of it as it went up. Waited and waited and never saw it come down. It turns out the chute never deployed at all and it landed upwind, the nose embedded in the snow. When I assembled it I lost one of the rings that is involved in holding the engine mount in the fuselage. So on the second launch the parachute deployment charge, rather that blow off the nose cone, blew out the engine mount. My bad! But it was fun and I love the sound.
Scritto da: K. Crawford
Would be 5-star with the pictured launch pad
As others have mentioned, they swapped out the launch pad in the picture with a lower end, but acceptable, launch pad. But it really does come with most everything you need as a starter kit except the consumables. Here's what you'll need to fly: Glue Scissors Pencil A small sharp knife (like an exacto) A 9V battery A pack of standard Estes motors (I suggest: A8-5, B6-6, C6-7) A pack of igniters (usually comes with the Estes motors) A pack wadding (special tissue-like paper that goes between the motor and the chute) My son and I were able to assemble everything in an hour or two (using gel crazy glue for fast drying). It was really easy if you carefully read the directions. WARNING TO CALIFORNIANS: Please, please, PLEASE be aware of the laws in CA for launching rockets. You need explicit permission of your local fire marshal and the property owner as well as meeting a bunch of other laws. In practice that means you'll probably need to find a rocket club with launching privileges to be able to launch legally. Many launch illegally without a problem, but please note it is a $1000 fine for EACH launch if a cop decides to nail you. There are horror stories of unaware parents getting multi-thousand dollar fines as a cop watched as they launched a handful of times without incident from the local park. It's up to you if you want to take the risk, but I'd hate for people to be unaware of how pricey the risk they are taking could be.
Scritto da: EQ
Worth every penny.
Fantastic product!! I have a 7 and 5 year old girls who absolutely loved it. Putting it together was relatively simple. I supervised the construction and it took them about two hours to put it together over a couple of days. The 7 year old did the bulk of the work and the only reason we spread the work over a two-day period is because we had to wait for the paint to dry (cheap spray paint for our first project). I did a little research beforehand and purchased the engines and wadding at the same time we purchased the kit, so we had everything available when it was time to launch. For about $50 bucks total we had a great time. The Estes website offers lesson plans free of charge which enabled me to confidently discuss some basic concepts with the girls. They really enjoyed it! Moreover, we set up assigned launch positions, rotated them around, and they loved the entire launch production. We used two different engines and both worked great. Two A8-3 engines to start out, then we switched to a B6-2. They loved both. Naturally the B6-2 was a bit more exciting due to the extra altitude achieved. As a dad who is gently nudging his girls towards STEM related subjects, this was great. We spend quality time building it, and had a “blast” launching it!
Scritto da: dogs
needs parental supervision
needs parental supervision
Scritto da: Chris Jackson
Fun Christmas
It took 3 hours to put together so its not so easy to assemble. But me and my son had fun making it fly in the air. We got 2 shots off then the paracute didn't open and it flew away from our house and on an apartment complex roof. We never got it back but it is what it is and we still had enough fun for Christmas. Don't forget to buy all the other parts like engine, wanding, Double A batteries and superglue separate. Have fun.
Scritto da: Ryan F
Pretty good kit for (almost) everything you need
I bought this for my nine year-old daughter because she is interested in rocketry. Everything you need (except for the engines) comes in the box and assembly is more-or-less straightforward. It may be a bit complicated for a child to put together themselves unless they're used to model kits and similar, but it wasn't a problem for my daughter with me guiding her through some of the tricky (to her) parts. Some of the assembly requires some delicate yet forceful steps that could render the rocket unusable if done incorrectly. Best to go carefully. I haven't launched it yet so I cannot comment on the reusability but it seems sturdy enough for a few launches, and certainly good enough as a starter set to see if there's interest enough to get something more durable/complicated. One thing I did notice is that the launch button has a safety mechanism that requires a very very firm press in order to complete the circuit. Maybe more than a nine year-old can handle.
Scritto da: Vara
A great rocketry starter set
A great rocketry starter set, however, you still need the propulsion system and it is highly recommended to get parachute wadding paper, as well as igniters as well as their designated igniter plugs. You also need some good wood glue of course, and some sand paper would help as well but it is not desperately necessary. This package still requires you to buy those as well. I recommend A8-3 rockets to start off because I average around 50-90 meters with those and even with light winds, you end up easily recovering the device within a 50 meter radius of the launch. The instruction manual is a bit old school, but there is a great guide on YouTube how to build one, easy search. I recommend this set, but again, you need to invest about the same price as this set again into additional components. Again, do not launch them without parachute wadding, even with parachute wadding, the shoot gets occasional heat and starts to show a little bit of wear. But no worries, with ESTES you can purchase everything you need from parachutes to launch controllers, the prices are cheap and fair, the problem is mainly shipping, especially when you live outside of North America, as these things are all delivered from there mainly.
Scritto da: K. A.
Great model rocket!
Absolutely fantastic model rocket! The kids love playing with this. Great customer service and very fast shipping. Highly recommend!!
Scritto da: Judith Terrell
Great for grandparents!
My ten year old grandson did most of the assembly. He loved it. Launch perfect first time. Long walk to retrieve. Good fun ,great exercise. Next launch very soon.
Scritto da: John Rivers
Quality product
Everything was as expected.

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