All Rocketry Blogs

Rocket Dungeon: MAKE salutes Mike Dorffler (2011-10-18)

The MAKE Magazine's blog features Mike Dorffler, creator of the Estes Cineroc, who passed away last year.  The author reminisces about his rocketry days, including the 1970 Estes catalog, Mike, ... [Read More]

Rocket N00b: Vintage Estes Cineroc Film - Lucerne, 1975 (2016-10-21)

Image from The Rocketry Forum user K'Tesh's magnificent thread of OpenRocket files Last night, on the Facebook group Space Hipsters , someone posted something I found ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Sport Rocketry, November/December 2010 (2010-11-15)

Although it almost didn't survive my grandson, I am finally looking at the latest issue of Sport Rocketry. (I only got it a few days ago but, more typically, I at least scan it right away.)  ... [Read More]

Bayourat Aerospace Blog: Add To Your Fleet With New Kits Released From SemRoc (2012-03-22)

New Kits... We have just released four more kits for the spring. The Bandit™ has been in the works for some time. The internal baffle or ejection ducting system is one of the most elaborate ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Estes Kit Instructions Posted (2012-08-20)

Bryan B on YORF posted links to upcoming kit instructions on the Estes website. "The Centuri seems to have the PNC-50BB with nozzle so Black Brant III clones should be easier. It's also weird ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: New Estes Products (2013-03-01)

Here's two new re-issue up and down scales from Estes: MINI FAT BOY 2442 Skill Level 1 Length: 8.5 in (21.6 cm) Diameter: 1.64 in (42 mm) Estimated Weight: 1.3 oz (36.8 g) Laser cut wood fins, ... [Read More]

Rocket Dungeon: Sport Rocketry, September/October 2013 (2013-09-06)

As you see, this issue features NSL and TARC, along with the attendant eye-candy. Other items include an article on teaching rocketry in schools and a launch rack based on keyless drill chucks. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Estes Modeling Secrets (2013-11-15)

Here's a great article from the September/October issue of Sport Rocketry. Mike Dorffler wrote this one in 1996. I always looked forward to the catalog "Tech Tips" and the MRN "Idea Box" page. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Secrets of Estes Modeling, Part 1 (2014-12-18)

In a blog comment, David Carllucy sent me the link to this article by Mike Dorffler telling how Estes builds their catalog models. This copy was in Sport Rocketry magazine but is worth r ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Original Goony Designs (2016-07-31)

In a comment, Naoto Kimura reminded me of the Goonybird posts on YORF from 2007. CLICK HERE al packer Old Fogey Gooneybird Originals "A good friend of mine slipped the attached sketches under my ... [Read More]

Blast From The Past: Ditch The Decor?? (2020-08-31)

 Last night, I read an interesting thread in the Model Rocketry History category of Ye Olde Rocketry Forum. The late Mike Dorffler, long-time Estes R&D designer, lamented about how many ... [Read More]

Blast From The Past: BAR Fleet #142 - Mountaineer IV (2023-04-25)

Source: Scratch-built, Modified Omega  Estes Industries # K-52 / 1252 Designed by Mike Dorffler Type: Sport / Payload Stages: Two Engine Type: 24mm both stages Recovery:  Parachute / ... [Read More]