Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > The Golden Age of Model Rocketry > Model Rocket History
Reload this Page What is the best selling model rocket kit of all time?
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
Page 2 of 3 < 1 2 3 >
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 01-27-2022, 11:47 AM
BEC's Avatar
BEC BEC is offline
Master Modeler
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 3,655
Default
I would think it would have to be Alpha (available continuously since late 1965, in starter sets, bulk packs and individual kits) or Alpha III (since 1971).

Big Bertha is the longest continuously available, with the two Alpha flavors being #2 and #3, but it's hard to imagine that in sheer numbers it exceeds either Alpha variant.
__________________
Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-27-2022, 12:04 PM
Royatl's Avatar
Royatl Royatl is offline
SPEV/Orion wrangler
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,645
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbrent
I would nominate the Alpha III given its continuous availability since 1971 both as an individual kit and as part of a starter set. It's also been available in educational bulk packs since those were first offered.
Add to that its regularly availability at major chain stores like Walmart and Hobby Lobby as well as its appeal to beginners and its hard to think of a rocket that would have sold more units.

Any thoughts?

Don Brent
San Tan Valley, AZ


For many years now, the Hi-Flyer has been Estes' biggest selling kit. All time is probably the Alpha or Alpha III.
__________________
Roy
nar12605
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-27-2022, 12:44 PM
Scott6060842 Scott6060842 is offline
Master Modeler
  
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NW Pennsylvania
Posts: 665
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbrent
I can't argue because I'm only speculating... but the BB was never available in a starter set or bulk packs. BB is definitely the longest continuously available rocket kit of all time however. That is undisputed. Beats the Alpha by one year.


Got me thinking ... I am sure I bought a Big Bertha starter set on ebay once. I searched the internet and apparently it was a 1990 school education kit. BB starter set with 6 engines.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384305285883
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-27-2022, 12:58 PM
tbzep's Avatar
tbzep tbzep is offline
Dazed and Confused
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TN
Posts: 11,626
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by turbofireball
(I doubt Vern knew what the best seller was after he left the company)

Mr. Estes still goes to NARCONs and NARAMS. He has rubbed elbows with Estes management ever since he stopped consulting (except Tunick probably). If he said it was #1, it was #1 at the time he said it.
__________________
I love sanding.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-27-2022, 04:05 PM
Ltvscout Ltvscout is offline
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 6,485
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
Mr. Estes still goes to NARCONs and NARAMS. He has rubbed elbows with Estes management ever since he stopped consulting (except Tunick probably). If he said it was #1, it was #1 at the time he said it.

That was back in 2005.
__________________
Scott D. Hansen
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe - Your One Stop BAR Shoppe!
Ye Olde Rocket Plans - OOP Rocket Plans From 38 Companies!
Ye Olde Rocket Forum
WOOSH NAR Section #558
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 01-27-2022, 04:05 PM
Ltvscout Ltvscout is offline
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 6,485
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott6060842
Got me thinking ... I am sure I bought a Big Bertha starter set on ebay once. I searched the internet and apparently it was a 1990 school education kit. BB starter set with 6 engines.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384305285883

Yes, I have one in my collection.
__________________
Scott D. Hansen
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe - Your One Stop BAR Shoppe!
Ye Olde Rocket Plans - OOP Rocket Plans From 38 Companies!
Ye Olde Rocket Forum
WOOSH NAR Section #558
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-27-2022, 05:05 PM
Chas Russell's Avatar
Chas Russell Chas Russell is offline
Retired Missile Technician
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 1,080
Default
Wow, thanks for sharing about the Big Bertha educational starter set. I was totally unaware that it had existed. Been in the hobby since 1967 and only built a Bertha about 15 years ago with the proper balsa nose cone. Managed to prang it... Just needs some trimming and a smidge of BT-60 tubing. Project 47 of many.

Chas
__________________
Charles Russell, MSgt,USAF (ret.)
NAR 9790, Lvl 1
SAM "Balls Three"
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-27-2022, 05:24 PM
dbrent's Avatar
dbrent dbrent is offline
Your typical BAAAR...
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Tan Valley, AZ
Posts: 134
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott6060842
Got me thinking ... I am sure I bought a Big Bertha starter set on ebay once. I searched the internet and apparently it was a 1990 school education kit. BB starter set with 6 engines.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384305285883


That's a pretty interesting item... It certainly was not a regular catalog item that I could find. And there was no Estes website in 1990. These must have been some kind of special order item...either by phone or mail at the time.

Cool find!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 01-27-2022, 08:54 PM
turbofireball's Avatar
turbofireball turbofireball is offline
Model Rocket Fanatic
  
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 219
Default
Here is a catalog pic of the Big Bertha style starter set. It was #1456 Teachers Starter Set. Every few years they would change the rocket (or rockets) in the set, but the stock number stayed the same.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: Estes_1456_Big_Bertha3.jpg Views: 26 Size: 402.5 KB  
__________________
turbofireball
NAR 25162
SAM 0278
Last edited by Ltvscout : 01-28-2022 at 09:08 AM. Reason: Uploaded photo
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 01-27-2022, 08:59 PM
Earl's Avatar
Earl Earl is offline
Apollo Nut
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,935
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
I would think it would have to be Alpha (available continuously since late 1965, in starter sets, bulk packs and individual kits) or Alpha III (since 1971).

Big Bertha is the longest continuously available, with the two Alpha flavors being #2 and #3, but it's hard to imagine that in sheer numbers it exceeds either Alpha variant.


I am with you on this one: hard to believe the Big Bertha exceeds the original Alpha in numbers sold for all the points you mention. Of course, I do not want to doubt Vern’s word, but maybe the numbers have changed since the last ones Vern was privy to.

I seem to recall a prior discussion here on this very subject and I *thought* that the answer in that discussion was, in fact, the Alpha.

Earl
__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 3 < 1 2 3 >

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:18 PM.

Contact Us - Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe - Archive - Top

Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024