Huh. Thought you were a believer in capitalism...

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NAR # 115523
Once upon a better day... SAM #0076
My site: http://rocketry.gonnerman.org

The pricing comments here got me curious.

Estes 1970 catalog:

https://ia903007.us.archive.org/20/...970_Catalog.pdf

In 1970:

C6-5 3-pack $1.20
D13-5 3-pack $2.00

Using an online inflation calculator which uses the (BS-low since 1980) official inflation rates over time: $1 in 1970 = $8 in 2023.

Using that, in 2023:

C6-5 3-pack should be $9.60 (is $12.99)
D12-5 3-pack should be $16.00 (is $13.49 for 2; which would be $20.24 for 3)

That's close enough considering the difference can probably be explained by the huge CPI figure fudging via the changes in the method of calculation and items included which has changed significantly, primarily since 1980 as can be easily seen in the lower graph shown here:

http://www.shadowstats.com/alternat...nflation-charts

BTW, from that you can see that when someone compares official inflation figures now with the past, they are comparing apples and oranges which shows you how many "experts" aren't.

How the fudging is done:

Substitutions and Hedonics: Inflation Data Absurdities
Jan. 24, 2007

https://seekingalpha.com/article/24...ata-absurdities

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"I looked in the mirror and told my wife that all I saw was an ugly old man and needed a compliment to raise my spirits. She said, 'Your vision is perfect.'"
"Before I met my wife, I was incomplete. Now, I'm finished." - Norm MacDonald

To add a bit to Winston's post, there have been massive changes in government regulations in the last 50 years - I doubt any of them have made dealing with potentially hazardous materials (i.e. black powder) cheaper or easier.
Heck, I'm pleased and a little surprised that the feds haven't come up with a reason to increase regulation of model rocketry to the point of making it unviable (remember they tried with AP motors back around the turn of the century)...

Rocket motor prices have went from "Too High" to "Outrageous/Absurd".
Large factor in why I have moved back to a lot more R/C aircraft activity.
Initial cost for R/C glow or electric power aircraft is much higher than anything LPR or MPR, but the cost per each MUCH longer (and controlled) flight is much lower.
If my AMA club did not require rocketry flight under the NAR safety code, I'd equip my 1/11 scale F-4 with actual FIRING Sidewinders.

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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.