Estes 1948 Big Bertha Flying Model Rocket Kit

by Estes

Product Features

• An Estes original
• Laser cut balsa fins
• Standard engine powered
• Parachute recovery
• Flies over 500'

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.5 x 23.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0006NAMUO
• Item model number: 1948
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,156 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #14 in Toys & Games > Hobbies > Rockets > Model Rockets
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Big Bertha is an Estes original. Big, burly, black and beautiful perfectly describes this classic. She’s an all around Estes favorite that has truly withstood the test of time. Over the decades, Big Bertha has been most modelers’ first big build. While standing on its massive fins, this big black rocket checks in at an impressive 2' (61 cm) tall. If you’ve never flown a Bertha, get one and launch it. Once you’ve flown it, you’ll take it to every launch. The Big Bertha gives you a slow, realistic liftoff. What a thrill it is to watch. Propelled by powerful standard Estes engines, this beauty travels to 500' (152 m) and comes back to earth with a decorated 18" (46 cm) parachute. Quality Estes body tubes, laser cut balsa fins, molded plastic nose cone and easy to apply self stick decals make for an afternoon of building enjoyment. In one afternoon your Bertha is ready for an exciting time at the launch field. Cutting, sanding and painting required. Building tools, finishing supplies, engines and launch supplies also needed - sold separately. Recommended for ages 10 an up with adult supervision for those under 12.

Product Description

• An Estes original
• Laser cut balsa fins
• Standard engine powered
• Parachute recovery
• Flies over 500'

Big Bertha is an Estes original. Big, burly, black and beautiful perfectly describes this classic. She’s an all around Estes favorite that has truly withstood the test of time. Over the decades, Big Bertha has been most modelers’ first big build. While standing on its massive fins, this big black rocket checks in at an impressive 2' (61 cm) tall. If you’ve never flown a Bertha, get one and launch it. Once you’ve flown it, you’ll take it to every launch. The Big Bertha gives you a slow, realistic liftoff. What a thrill it is to watch. Propelled by powerful standard Estes engines, this beauty travels to 500' (152 m) and comes back to earth with a decorated 18" (46 cm) parachute. Quality Estes body tubes, laser cut balsa fins, molded plastic nose cone and easy to apply self stick decals make for an afternoon of building enjoyment. In one afternoon your Bertha is ready for an exciting time at the launch field. Cutting, sanding and painting required. Building tools, finishing supplies, engines and launch supplies also needed - sold separately. Recommended for ages 10 an up with adult supervision for those under 12.

 

• Product Measures: 6.5 x 2.5 x 23.5

• Recommended Ages: 10 - 100 years

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Bertha Equals Big Fun, March 18, 2007

By 

kone "kone" (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Estes 1948 Big Bertha Flying Model Rocket Kit (Toy)

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

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyones favorite large lass, January 18, 2006

By 

William J. Eichelberger "I will not go quietly" (Ft. Thomas, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Estes 1948 Big Bertha Flying Model Rocket Kit (Toy)

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.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Bertha has come a long way, May 11, 2008

By 

L. M. Fuke (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Estes 1948 Big Bertha Flying Model Rocket Kit (Toy)

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.