Ok, I checked on the AeroTech Facebook page. Someone asked the question about a new catalog on February 8 at 2:24pm. AeroTech's answer on February 17 at 1:19pm:



Here is the link to AeroTech's FB page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/AeroT...ce/159005948954

Greg

Argh, I was doing some spelunking and came across this four year old cliffhanger. Amazing one-of-a-kind photos, first-hand-testimony, and an engaging story. Necropost before the 25-year anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles RCHTA Show?

It would make more sense to do the catalog by pdf these days, not physical.

I missed this story when it came out. Absolutely fascinating.

Circa 1994 or 1995, I finally got to visit Estes when HobbyLab was negotiating with Barry Tunick about using the Estes E15s in the HL SR-71. It was an interesting day. I was actually invited to Barry Tunick's house after the day was over. Sort of a very dubious honor for a rocket person...

I was there with the infamous Al Zlogar, if anyone remembers him. The highlight of my visits was meeting Mike Dorffler and getting to go into the design area.

I got to fly the prototype Estes Stratoblaster, which was fun. We flew the SR-71 prototype on early Estes E15s (the ones that worked pretty well) and also did one launch on the little known Estes BP F class motor of that period. I do not remember the impulse of that motor. I still have one unmarked sample F from then, somewhere.

Barry and the Estes designers were not too impressed with the way the heavy prototype SR-71 glided in the mile high air..... Neither was I.

Much has been said about Barry Tunick. I will not disagree with any of it....

__________________
Tom Blakeney
NAR 52002 L1
AMA 28682
TRA 2150 (lapsed)

LOL... I and a friend were invited out there for possible employment in 1991 or 92. My friend went. I declined, as I already knew I wouldn't take a job under Tunick (though I should have gone, just to look around). My friend confirmed my thoughts about Tunick.

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Roy
nar12605

Sorry about my Estes diversion. I would love to hear more about early Aerotech history.

My first ever exposure to Aerotech was at the NARAM in Dallas in 1990, which I think was NARAM 32. IIRC, Gary and friends were demoing RMS motors there.....wow. Blew my mind.

__________________
Tom Blakeney
NAR 52002 L1
AMA 28682
TRA 2150 (lapsed)

NO toy-executive has ANY business running a HOBBY company. They do not understand the bread-and-butter customer in that industry. Clown very nearly ran Estes into the ground.
Bilked the business and did not give a Rat's A$$ about the rocket hobbyist AT ALL.
Glad to see him LONG GONE and glad Hobbico purchased Estes. A REAL hobby company as the parent that constantly introduces new good stuff can be nothing but good for rocketry. Having a Piester at Hobbico can't hurt either.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

Bob S., please continue with the rest of the stories!

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Contest flying, Sport flying, it's all good.....
NAR# 18723 NAR.org
GeorgesRockets.com
Georges'CancerGoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-geo...ay-fight-cancer

I was there when AT started up to begin with.

Even though the core of this thread started 4 years ago, we really do hope Bob will keep the stories coming.

__________________
Tom Blakeney
NAR 52002 L1
AMA 28682
TRA 2150 (lapsed)