BAR Fleet #135 - Big Bertha

 

Source:  Scratch-Built Estes Industries Kit #K-23 / #1948

Type: Sport Model

Stages: Single

Engine Type: 18mm

Recovery:  Parachute

Length:  59.3cm (23.35 in.)

Diameter:  42mm (1.64 in.)

Weight Empty:  67.1g (2.37 oz.)

Nose Cone:  Parabolic

Fin Type: Swept

Number of Fins: 4

Color Scheme:  Yellow, White, Black

Black and Red markings

Date Completed:  March 7, 2022

 An Estes Classic

The Big Bertha is one of the longest continuously-produced model rocket kits by Estes Industries.  Designed by Vern Estes, the original Big Bertha was built as a single-engine version of the Astron Ranger three-motor cluster model.

 A Big Bertha model was part of my old fleet dating back to 1974, so the addition of a new one is a must for the present BAR-era stable.  This addition to the collection was constructed using the published plans / instructions of the original K-23 version.  The nose is from a modern Baby Bertha kit and is very close to the original BNC/PNC 60-L nose used in the earlier Big Bertha kits.

The only other additional modification made to this model is an extended-length motor mount stuffer tube.

This being, a classic design, I tried to go fairly ‘retro’ with the color and décor scheme.  All of the decals are home-prints.

I expect to log a number of great flights with this historic, popular Estes design.