BAR Fleet #119 - Alpha VI, 60th Anniversary Edition

Source:  Estes Industries

Kit #: 001958

Type:  Sport Model

Stages: Single

Engine Type: 18mm

Recovery:  Parachute

Length:  32cm

Diameter:  25mm

Weight Empty:  35g

Nose Cone:  Tangent Ogive

Fin Type: Tapered Swept plastic fin can

Number of Fins: 3

 Color Scheme:  Pearl White / Gloss

Metallic Maroon

 Date Completed:  23 March, 2019

 

When I first learned that Estes Industries had produced a special edition of the Alpha model rocket to commemorate the company’s 60^th Anniversary, it was a no-brainer that one should be added to my list of ‘must-haves’ for the fleet.

Since the Hobby Lobby stores carry this model in their sales inventory, one was quickly located and purchased, utilizing a 40% off coupon, of course.

 

 

 Being an E2X model, the Alpha VI is a very quick build.    In just a little over an hour from opening the kit, the model was rendered flight-ready, even with the extra embellishments/techniques I employ in my model rockets.

 Here is a picture of the kit parts, laid out all nice and ‘purty’.

 

 

 One of the first things I do when I build a kit is to throw away the stock rubber shock cord and replace it with a better, longer fiber-elastic one. 

 Because I intend to fly this model only once, I settled for keeping the original rubber shock cord, but I did tie an additional one on to double its length. 

No nose cone snap-back damage for this Alpha VI !

 

 

Another modification I make on any kit build is to replace the bulky ‘tea-bag’ style shock cord mount with a section of manila card stock with three slots through which the cord is threaded and glued. This is similar to the old Centuri / MPC style mounts.

 

 

 The only major down side to the Alpha VI kit is that the body tube is pre-finished, precluding the ability to fill and hide that horribly unsightly spiral seam.   I will just have to live with it.

 All in all, the model turns out looking quite spiffy !  A nice addition to the long history of this famous model rocket design.

 The final touch on my bird is to apply some rub-on fleet number decals.

 

 

#119 is scheduled to be launched at my first flying session for 2019, after which it will be retired and reside permanently in a display case.  I don’t wish to have a model in my fleet that hasn’t flown at least once.

 Here is another pic of the completed model: