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Big Bertha Rocket Kit from Estes
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Our Editorial Review
Product Description Burly, big and beautiful! Over the decades this is the first big (two feet tall) rocket for many modelers. Slow, realistic lift-offs from this true classic. Assembly required. Glue, finishing supplies and launch supplies – not included. SPECS: Length: 24 in.; Dia.: 1.64 in.; Wt.: 2.2 oz.; Parachute Recovery; Die cut balsa Fins; Max. Altitude: 500 ft. Recommended motors: B4-2, 4-4, B6-2, B6-4, C6-5
Customer Reviews
Big Bertha has come a long way Posted 11 May 2008
Estes Big Bertha traces its lineage to 1963, and it has evolved over the years to a non-frustrating afternoon fun in rocketry. It wasn't always that way.
First off, Estes has re-designed propulsion to single engine simplicity.
For many years, Big Bertha was cluster-powered; it sported three-engine
power. It required a "whip", a network of multiple engine clips for ignition - when things went right.
Cluster power offered a huge advantage; three C.8 engines legitimately yielded more than 20 nt-sec of impulse. Even the D-series, when it was introduced, was rated at 13.5 nt-sec. A cluster of three C.8's cost less than a dollar. Those were the good old days.
If you were a power-freak, clustered C.8's were the only way to go. Big Bertha however, almost never co-operated. First, there is the inherent 15% variation from engine to engine, which affected thrust, duration, and delay train. Then, that whip colluded to stimy simultaneous engine ignition. Even the ignitors were different back then, plain nichrome and not the squib.
Lift-off frequently involved only a single or if you were lucky, twin-engine power. Big Bertha would veer wildly off the pad. The older version of BB freqently had a payload compartment. Heaven help you if there were live animals on board. Big Bertha also exhibited another advantage - it could bounce back from prangs with minimal damage.
However, there were rare occasions when everything went right, and BB was a thing of beauty. It was worth the trouble.
I appreciate this opportunity to walk down memory lane. Big Bertha is still simple to build, and is readily customizable at small additional expense, to two-stage configuration, payload compartments, even single-engine D or E power, whatever. Maintain the fin size as specified, though. It is primed for terrific fun and the basis of new memories, but new rocketeers have no idea what they've missed.
VERY BIG, VERY Fun Posted 05 March 2008
This rocket is a classic and flies very well. I also like the size of this rocket. Unfortunatley, I lost this one upon my first launch to a tree. I do plan to get another one, so that should say something. The only negative I would say it that is the rocket did not launch "slow" like a real rocket. It launch just as any otehrrocket does, but its still fun.
Big Bertha Equals Big Fun Posted 18 March 2007
The Estes Big Bertha rocket is one of the most simple, yet satisfying rockets to build and fly.
First, the design is simple - easy to construct, even for the beginner.
Second, the rocket is impressively big. Kids like to launch big rockets, and the Big Bertha fills the bill. Because of its large size, the Big Bertha has a slower take-off, one you can actually see, instead of the "zip and gone" take-offs of the smaller rockets. Also, because of its size, this is a rocket you will not likely lose. It won't go so high, even with a C6-5 engine, that you will lose sight of it. I have flown some rockets that went so high I lost sight of them and lost them to the wind drift. This will not happen with the Big Bertha. It is a great rocket to launch in a somewhat confined lauch field, as it will not drift that far downfield.
Third, this is a simple rocket to operate, and it is durable and dependable. You can launch it over and over with consistent performance.
Finally, it has a large parachute which is easy to spot in the sky and floats the rocket to earth safely.
I highly recommened the Big Bertha rocket to all beginner rocketeers. It will provide hours of fun and it a great way to learn the basics about model rocketry.
Jim Konedog Koenig
Everyones favorite large lass Posted 18 January 2006
The Big Bertha is likely to be the first "Big" rocket that most people own as kids, and with good reason. The classic design is easy to build and fly, and large enough to make a great small field bird. As with all Estes models, the internals could stand some upgrading, but the Bertha overcomes Estes resistance to 21st century rocketry and belongs in your fleet.
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