ESTES – Baby Bertha model rocket review
So after picking this hobby back up after 25-30 years since i last enjoyed model rocketry, i was pleasantly surprised to see that Big Bertha now has a Baby Bertha.
Of course i had to buy a couple of them as i was certain that my son would enjoy them as much as i enjoyed the Big Bertha model that ESTES had put out when i was c child. At this point we have gone through a few of them, as they are smaller, faster, and unless you use a long delay before chute deployment the odds of getting it back after launch are very small.
Benefits of the Baby Bertha model:
- Thick diameter rocket body. It provides ample space for basic payloads, to advanced payloads that one may use for testing.
- A,B,C,D Engine capabilities. Kit comes ready to be used with up to C6-7 engines. Altitude with this model tops out around 2000 ft, depending on payload.
- Crowd pleasing design. It just looks like a simple rocket and always surprises folks of how capable it is.
- C6-7 ESTES model rocket engine keeps it interesting as it allows for suspense during the HALO portion of chute deployment.
With these particular models we always try to have a bit of fun.
Previous versions used in testing of new systems:
Our first two purchased models of the Baby Bertha went as such. The first we built to specs. Launched it once with a standard parachute….. It began to come down after chute deployment and wind literally lifted it back up and took it very high up, and very very far away. Yes, we actually drove after it……
Second Baby Bertha model we decided that we just simply couldn’t let that previous incident happen again so we decided to used custom streamers made of a special material we are looking into for parachutes. Given the short travel distance for the hot gas ejection charge to push the recovery system out we decided to try a heat tolerant material hoping to get rid of use wadding material for flame damage control. The test ended with the rocket in a tree far away from our reach. The material at the thickness we used which was 2 inches, became heavy and although it did slow the rocket down, it didn’t stream, it was just a slow falling blob.
Back to the two new Baby Bertha ESTES model rockets purchased and what we have done with them.
- On the first rocket we used a standard build, used a modified type of method to increase durability, and heat tolerance from heat affected zones (HAZ). Design as per instructions did not change. Only amount of glue used in stress points.
- Second rocket has been assembled with less internal space, and more space around the engine mount. This should allow for the testing of a few new ideas that may help us improve on the recovery of these smaller high flying models.
To summarize our experience with the Baby Bertha, its awesome.
Honestly just a small, thick, surprising rocket. Everytime.