Assembling the Estes Alpha iii Model Rocket with step by step instructions.

Unboxing the Alpha iii - • Unboxing Estes Alpha i...
Estes Alpha iii Launch Kit (includes rocket, launch pad, and launch controller)
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Estes Alpha iii (only the rocket)
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Bulk Estes Alpha iii set (for if you're feeling really crazy)
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Small A8-3 engines (like I show in the video)
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Big C6-7 engines (The biggest engines that fit in the Alpha iii, for if you're feeling crazy)
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Recovery Wadding
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Be sure to check out more info on all things model rocketry at TheModelRocket.com

[@AB0BA_69]

Dude, thanks a ton for the video. Picked up an Alpha3 launch kit yesterday. Seeing a video with the assembly for the first time is super helpful!

[@themodelrocket220]

Thanks dude! It's a fun build for a fun rocket.

[@justdarian]

thank you SO much for this tutorial!! you saved me

[@Deeznuts69420skibbidi]

I got this for Christmas and this video helps a lot

[@themodelrocket220]

Amazing glad it helped!! Great choice by whoever got you the Alpha III it's a blast!!

[@BillBarnum]

This video was fantastic!

[@themodelrocket220]

Wow thank you!! If you don't mind give it a thumbs up and a follow so more people will see it. And more videos to come!

[@MaxGurrala]

I loved this vid thank you so much, this helped me a ton! Thank you!😃

[@neilweinstock4194]

Good video, look forward to seeing more. Just a few very small quibbles with the build: 1) A smaller hobby knife, either an X-acto or snap-off blade knife, would be better to use than a big box cutter. 2) Almost any kind of fixed ruler would be easier to work with than a tape measure. 3) When gluing on the launch lug, some emphasis should be given to getting it on as perfectly straight as possible. Also, although you said to let the glue dry, it looked to me (could be wrong!) that it was still wet for the remainder of the video. Finally I would always fillet the launch lug for strength. Maybe for something small like an Alpha it wouldn't make much difference, but launch lugs breaking off is a pretty common mishap.

[@themodelrocket220]

Thanks Neil these are super helpful. I've always used measuring tape and a box cutter but will definitely go grab an x-acto and fixed ruler (once all these stay-at-home orders are lifted) And that's a great point to emphasize straight and strength for the launch lug, I'll make sure to emphasize those in the next build! Thanks for the quibbles!

[@nitroneal48]

@@themodelrocket220 When mounting the parachute try using a snap swivel,

[@inserttanjiromeme5496]

Very Helpful

[@mikestanley9176]

I used to fly Estes rockets in the 70s. The engines back then cost 4.00 dollars for 3 A8-3s. I flew a lot of the Alpha 3. All the way up to the Cherokee D. I also designed and built my own launch controller that would electronically count down from 10.

[@timgodin8351]

Nice, I lost my Alpha ,Alpha 3's balsa fin twin. That one looks like a good replacement.

[@thebeastclub7277]

Great video

[@ericgoodrich593]

Thank you for this.

[@Lhorgrim]

My son and I just launched our first rocket a few days ago. It was an Alpha III starter kit that we got several years ago, but we only recently found an area we could safely launch. We both had a great time and are looking forward to building and launching more kits. Your video was informative and easy to follow. keep up the good work! Subscribed!

[@themodelrocket220]

Wow thanks Jay your comment is super encouraging!! What other kits are you looking at? We just got a new one today and are looking forward to making another tutorial

[@Lhorgrim]

@@themodelrocket220 We're planning to get the Tandem-X set next. Our current launch platform is an older style, and one of the legs snapped in a thin area. we fixed it enough to use, but it's fragile. The Tandem-X kit comes with two rockets and a better launchpad for not much more than the launchpad by itself. The Crossfire rocket in the kit is a more advanced build than the Alpha III, so we're going to see if our skills are up to the challenge!

[@themodelrocket220]

@@Lhorgrim That's amazing how old is your son?? Believe it or not I have that same set coming next week haha, my son is 2 so I'll be building the Crossfire by myself. I love the contrast of the two rockets. Do you know what size engines you'll be launching them with?

[@Lhorgrim]

@@themodelrocket220 He just turned 17. He'll be doing all the building on these kits. I'm a little jealous of him! We don't have a very large area for launches, so we'll probably stick to A and B engines until we can get access to a larger space. We were taken a bit by surprise the first time we moved up to a B engine! If the Amazon doesn't fly too high with the B engines, we'll try our first C.

[@themodelrocket220]

Amazing, that's 100% what I would have advised. Have fun on the assembly, let me know how it goes!

[@kevinseanfeeney7812]

I just picked this up as a Christmas present for my son (I know, October 30th). I gather I should build one BEFORE Christmas so we can launch that morning. Nervous!

[@pieman12345678987654]

You gotta use the stickers. 100 percent. Most important part of the rocket. Makes it more aerodynamic.

[@themodelrocket220]

Pre stickers: I was maybe getting 50' in the air with this thing.... Post stickers: On a C engine it orbited the earth TWICE and landed safely back in my backyard SpaceX style

[@thelawfamilyproduction329]

God dammit. The install is real rocket science

[@poketransfer6222]

Thank goodness for this video. I would have used the instructions, but I had to cut up the entire thing for the build 🤷‍♂️

[@ledzeppelin820]

Thanks for telling us what the second hole was for ???

[@druze_xyannis2491]

I like your video’s keep It up

[@themodelrocket220]

Thank you!!!

[@joseperez2372]

At the end of the video you forgot the part where you install the cone. I wanted to know how do you stuff the wiring and the parachute into the tube to cap it off with the cone.

[@Ayare4]

Thank you for this video! Also will a c6-5 engine work and if so how will it effect its performance?

[@maple7692]

I know it's 11 months later, but C6-5's are alright for Alpha III's as long as you have alot of room. I'd also recommend cutting a spillhole in the parachute for that height. The drift on an Alpha III recovery has been the end of many a model rocket in my area.

[@jessemanex]

What is the music you used called?

[@cesarcalderon9872]

What do i do if I lost the nose thing

[@mandystarmer8472]

I have all of the rockets and I am doing this with 27 students who will be launching in groups. So at the most, I will be launching 8 rockets. I just need the rest of the materials. I see the link to the engines and the wadding, but I do not know what else I need because I do not want to buy the wrong launch pad. Please advise. :)

[@eashaanprogamermehta7348]

As some rocket looks interesting

[@themodelrocket220]

It's a lot of fun! You won't regret the Alpha 3

[@j_weiqii]

thanks you so much!! i can’t read instruction manuals 😭

[@AeroSS87]

My tail piece was a goofy 3 piece deal I have to snap together but doesn't seem to snap. Idk, I just wanted the original Alpha.

[@themodelrocket220]

What? Your Alpha iii came with a different tail piece than what the video shows?

[@AeroSS87]

@@themodelrocket220 after looking closer, they sent me the Taser model. I ordered the Alpha, but oh well.

[@ivanmedrano8723]

Can i ask what is the music in this video its really nice

[@ryanfox3604]

yeah its nice im wondering too

[@themodelrocket220]

If I remembered I promise I would tell you hahaha

[@ryanfox3604]

@@themodelrocket220 its ok

[@Dandan-zm7tv]

How to remove the used engine to reuse the rocket?

[@themodelrocket220]

the engine mount is flexible enough that it slips right out when you pull on it

[@Minutemman]

Whens the next video?

[@themodelrocket220]

Not fast enough 🤦🏻‍♂️ my actual job is kicking my butt right now

[@scienceium5233]

@@themodelrocket220 what's your actual job ?

[@willforthewin4642]

Hi

[@papiamodak9708]

Iska rs kithnaha

[@themodelrocket220]

Totally........

[@scienceium5233]

@@themodelrocket220 he is speaking in Hindi , he asked how much does it costs

[@edwinkania5286]

Stand!!!!! You really mean "Launch Pad"

[@themodelrocket220]

My son calls it a 'stand' too often he's messing me up! I blame him.