“ MODEL ROCKETRY - THE LAST FRONTIER ” 1977 ESTES ROCKETS w/ WILLIAM SHATNER CINEROC XD45444

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This 1977 color promotional film hosted by Star Trek actor William Shatner spotlights Estes’ Alpha III starter kit, the Scissor-Wing Transport, and Starship Enterprise flying model rockets (TRT: 15:20).
A title card with the Estes logo and address in Penrose, Colorado (0:12). Opening titles, “Model Rocketry” and “The Last Frontier” over a model of the Starship Enterprise of Star Trek fame (0:23). An Estes model of a NASA Apollo-era Saturn V rocket intercut with footage of real Mariner and Saturn V rockets blasting off from Cape Canaveral (0:40). 8mm footage taken by an Estes model rocket shows its flight and the deployment of a parachute bearing the Estes logo (1:20). The parachute falls on William Shatner, with his back turned. A crowd of children run through a field to meet him. He hands over the large Saturn 5 model (1:32). Closeup: Shatner speaks (1:44). A toy train set is quickly passed over by a young man with a new Estes product: A Model Rocketry Field Operations Kit. His workbench also displays a Star Trek model kit and an Estes Cineroc 8mm “movie camera” filmmaking kit. Unboxing. Unfolding an instruction sheet for an Alpha III rocket. Rocket parts: Body tube, engine, parachute, shock cord, decals (1:51). Hands measure and trim the rocket’s engine mount to size, then glue is applied (2:28). Reviewing a procedural checklist (2:55). An Estes Alpha III takes off in a medium slow motion shot (3:08). Two disappointed boys watch as their rocket’s “parachute recovery system” fails to deploy (3:13). A windsock on an airport runway. A Philadelphia 76’s pennant acting as a windsock. A boy throws a blade of grass into the air (3:33). A finger indicates the model rocket’s engine. A finger on the launch controller button (3:50). Animation shows a rocket careening wildly around the frame. Cut to a mid-air explosion (3:57). A stunt plane flying upside-down. An animated illustration of the stunt plane shows the craft’s center of gravity. The animated model rocket rotates, spinning on its center of gravity (4:10). Mounting several Estes model rockets’ nose cones. Animated arrows indicate the forces of thrust, drag, lift, and gravity (5:06). A successful launch. Marking and applying model rocket fins (5:27). An Estes “Re-Entry Vehicle” with a mounted glider at takeoff (6:04). A boy tests an Alpha III model rocket by swinging it around overhead on a string (6:29). Closeup on a rocket labeled “76” at launch. A parachute deploys successfully. A tumble recovery device twirls in mid-air. Helicopter recovery in action. Animation depicts “glide recovery” of a Scissor-Wing Transport boost glider (7:13). Closeup on mandatory RP-1B model rocket recovery fireproof wadding (7:57). Folding and packing a parachute in a transparent rocket tube (8:37). The igniter is inserted into the engine and taped down. An illustration clarifies the process (9:05). A launch countdown, with a closeup on igniter clips. Animation illustrates the engine burning. A parachute ejects (9:43). Children set up a large rocket on a launch pad in an open field. Ignition and a slow motion takeoff. Other model rockets, including an Estes “Goonybird” launch in a montage (10:09). William Shatner sets off one of a lineup of model rockets, demonstrating Cineroc 8mm footage (11:50). A closeup of the Scissor-Wing Transport and glider and slow motion footage. Animation helps illustrate the glider’s deployment (12:06). A boy uses a homemade altitude tracker (13:23). Shatner with the children in closeup. He wears a chain necklace. Pull back to reveal a model of the Starship Enterprise and Klingon Battle Cruiser. Both take off in slow motion, followed by other models (13:50). More Cineroc footage (14:43). End credits (14:54).
This film, produced by Donald A. Gazzaniga, was distributed by Ramsgate Films of Santa Monica, CA. Star Trek licensed model rockets made their debut with Estes in 1975. Cineroc 8mm rubber-band powered camera systems were produced from 1970-1975. They enabled model rocket enthusiasts to expose and mail away 40 second rolls of 8mm film for development.
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[@petercook3143]

My 2 favorite things growing up, Estes and Kirk. You got Peanut Butter in my chocolate!! I went on to work at NASA in Michoud, New Orleans LA. Worked on the shuttle external tank. Now flying rockets with my sons.

[@RoyGreen]

very nice transfer. Much better than the other transfers I've seen. I exchanged emails with the producer (now deceased) of this film about ten years ago and found out that it was originally part of a kids' TV series on "active hobbies". The producer worked for Paramount, which is how he knew Shatner. Shatner owed him for something so he was able to get him for the whole series. Estes bought this episode from him many years later and modified it slightly for sale on VHS cassettes.

[@roberta.6399]

I joined the rocket club in junior high. Estes Rockets, of course. Mine was the X-RAY model. Good, healthy fun.

[@steveevans4093]

My Dad took me to the Estes factory in Penrose, CO around 1970. A nice man gave us the complete tour. We got to witness a test flight of the 'new' larger D engine. Great memories. Periscope rules!

[@curtismarean6963]

It's been a long time, it was nice to see the young "capt. Kirk" again! This brought me back a few years.

[@K-Effect]

Definitely my favorite hobby when I was young, spent years with this wonderful hobby. Then moved on to building my own custom rockets, then rocket cars then finally rocket trains.

[@johnp7318]

Oh man, I loved Estes model rockets!!!

[@alcoholic2412]

I had a model rocket with a little 110 camera in the nose cone

[@FluteLoops59]

My sixth grade teacher was real big on Estes Rockets in the 70s....we all had to build one and we would shoot them off on the playground...we would spend time in class repairing and repainting our damaged ones...or building new ones... Good times!!

[@1978garfield]

I bet you learned more practical knowledge that year than the rest of your schooling. My 6th grade teacher had a badly damaged visible V8 engine kit. I commented that I had one at home and he asked if I would like to try to put his together. It never ran (was missing too many parts) but was tuned into an interesting static model rather than a box of parts. I don't remember much from 6th grade but I remember that model.

[@FluteLoops59]

@@1978garfield yes, youre right about the practical knowledge part.. This teacher also taught us how to handle money by having "Trochim Town"..We would bring stuff from home, like baked goods, old jewelry, crafts we made etc and with our Trochim Town money he printed up, we would buy and sell our goods, we built small shop fronts out of cardboard boxes, some were elaborate, we had a bakery, jewelry shop, candy shop, shoe shining place...fun stuff, we did this also, besides rockets...

[@sferrin2]

Nice! As a kid in elementary school I got into Estes rockets in 1977. A buddy of mine bought himself an Enterprise kit, with the long pod on the front. I built it for him.

[@steveturner3999]

Built many an Estes rocket as a kid. A local hobby store sold the kits and engines, plus they sold fin stock balsa, tubes & nosecones to build your own style. So much fun! Built some with my grandson. Lost a few of ‘em too.

[@jagboy69]

I liked the little mosquitos. Cheap to launch and no crappy parachute to screw with.

[@jeffgorham8819]

I think I had an unofficial record of flights on a single Mosquito - 48. I always flew it with a 1/4A motor at a club launch (lots of eyes to see where it went to). Sadly, I lost it not to a launch, but when my car was stolen.

[@MezThorbonizer]

There's some good nostalgia for ya.

[@mikish5664]

Nice video, bought a model rocket kit in the early 90’s and used it a few times. It was a lot of fun. If anyone wants to know they’re still around selling models too.

[@DavidLucas-xr2fw]

I have this on VHS.

[@billbresnahan9949]

Built my first Estes in 1968 as a 6th grader . Continued building and launching more sophisticated rockets all through high school .. My biggest was a homemade Nike Ajax multistage / multi D engines.. Even tried sealing and waterproof ing a rocket to launch from water.. Those were great years! Lol

[@jimmartin7881]

Loved rocketeering as a kid, went from A's to D's to homemade M's in about a month. Now unless you live in the middle of nowhere you'll be harassed some idiot claiming danger.

[@andy-in-indy]

Properly filing a NOTAM helps reduce the complaints. Well, at least from pilots.

[@danielcarlson800]

I live in California, and I'd give anything to find a site where I can launch my model rockets without joining some woke clique or drawing the attention of the authorities.

[@davidallen9526]

I can remember some great times with my best friends of my youth enjoying these model rockets. My buddy Tommy built the largest one we had a two stage with multiple engines. She flew straight and true. So much so that we never found the second stage. I'm sure that someone found it. We started putting our contact information written on the shoot and components in case we would loose another one. We never did. I can still remember the songs on KSHE that was always playing in the background. This brought back so many memories!

[@cristian_m_ciarlo]

Great video ! And the guest !

[@StraightShooter.]

Spent many summers as a kid launching model Rockets and flying Cox model airplanes.

[@K-Effect]

When I didn't have money for rocket motors I would've play with the wind up Balsawood aircraft or U-Control aircraft, spent hundreds of hours with those toys/hobby. I still have all of it

[@GorVala]

So awsome.. i wish you could go back in time to then.. made my own "Spitnuk" back in my day.

[@mcemct7434]

Launching Estes engines with small wings attached and no rocket were my favorite toys.

[@jamesslick4790]

You are a man of taste too, I see. I thought I was the only one! LOL.

[@deirdre108]

Yes! We called it Random Recovery.

[@ColKorn1965]

I attached a stick to a C6-5 and launched it using a firecracker fuse and a match head

[@cj92345]

Wonder if William remember’s making this......cool

[@doorswhofan]

I got into model rocketry right around this time. What a time capsule.

[@ronpilchowski9898]

About 20 years ago my son got rockets for his 8th birthday We shot one off at a big regional park and got chased off so We went to an old elementary school that was shut down. Did the whole countdown FIRE!!!! look up and there was a small airplane that had just taken off a couple blocks away . Our rocket missed his wing by About 3 feet ..I think it freaked out All of us. Pilot included

[@petercook3143]

Thats great, he probly loved it. the pilot that is.

[@72polara]

Had a lot of fun with rockets when I was a kid. Brought back some good memories. I built a launch controller with a key switch and the launch button that had a flip up cover like the switches in fighter planes.

[@jamesslick4790]

Now that's cool! 👍😊👍

[@retro-cosmodrome5584]

Yo this is awesome!!

[@Mr.Knallfrosch]

Very nice film👌

[@cashenjoe1]

Love this!

[@williamstewart6999]

I had an Astron Drifter I put together and flew. My dad made a launching pad and battery box and push button. Had a lot of fun with the other guys with their rockets. Last time I launched it I used a piece of cannon fuse instead of the resistor fuse wire. The wind caught the twin parachutes and carried it away. Never did find it. Fun while it lasted!

[@vengeance1701]

Shatner shows up in a vaguely Captain Kirk-like shirt and the kids didn't even notice. I would've lost my damn mind. Of course I wasn't born yet, but, you know...

[@abundantYOUniverse]

Wow! 4:11 Art Scholl in his Chipmunk doing the aerobatics!

[@ultramet]

Nowadays kids are just interested in playing some mindless video game 24/7 instead of using their intellect and creativity. I loved launching rockets as a kid.

[@apolloperez8706]

Yeah I built Estes Model Rockets in the late 60’s back at my Parents Farm in So. Texas. Took up spiders and other insects in the Astron X Ray and even some frogs with a chute tied around them but they wiggled off of them no matter how I tied it. No, frogs can’t fly. But they’ll come back at you in nightmares. Launched different rockets for years, cool times.

[@coloradostrong]

We used to just place the rocket engines in random spots in busy shopping mall parking lots with the slow burning fuse instead of the electrical ignitor, and find discarded cigars and cigarettes to stick on the end of the fuse to act as a delayed timer, then light the cigarette or cigar and leave the area. Certainly created a boatload of mayhem.

[@HendrixFreakazoid]

I used to launch and lose the amazing Estes Yankee as a kid in the 80s and it was just the koolest thing to do at the time but now I build and fly super fast tiny whoops FPV and they are now the koolest

[@altfactor]

I wouldn't be surprised that within a few years, a model rocketeer successfully launches a payload into orbit.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Way too many laws and regs prevent that.

[@jetstreamer374]

Keep on dreaming, boyz. Aerospace can still be fun in the 2020s

[@scratchdog2216]

I might just start wandering into empty fields. Never know who'll I'll meet.

[@andy-in-indy]

If you follow this link, you might be able to find people flying rocket. www.nar.org/find-a-local-club/section-guidebook/ Don't plan on meeting William Shatner that way, though.

[@danielcarlson800]

Great Video!!!!!!!! What's the difference between "apex" and "apogee"?

[@Benne6666]

2:08 Music please ?

[@BoHolbo]

I wish model rockets were legal when I was a kid, I would definitely have become a miniature rocketry connoisseur! I’m not too fussed about it still being illegal today, because kids these days (as a whole) are way too sheltered and fragile due to having helicopter parents. Being conscious of the dangers and risks involved with devices involving any type of open flame, and/or chemical reactions just wouldn’t be part of their skill set. (For reference, I’m from 1978 and Danish.)

[@BradiKal61]

what the heck are you talking about?

[@joshuagibson2520]

Amen brother. People have been raising entire generations of pussies for a while now. I come from 1979 Ohio and had more fun in the 80s than most will have in a full lifetime.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@@joshuagibson2520 Oh get over yourself.

[@BradiKal61]

@1:40 sensors detect Stranger Danger

[@bumpedhishead636]

I wish I still lived where I could launch rockets! There is nowhere within 200 miles that will allow it.

[@asafgl4281]

Captain Kirk!!!

[@therongperson]

This film should have been narrated by all 3 Shatners.

[@bumpedhishead636]

I built the Estes Star Trek Enterprise. It was so bad aerodynamically that it needed a huge body tube attached to the front to fly it. It looked ridiculous. But, I guess starships don't need to be aerodynamic... ;-p

[@johnfitzgerald2339]

10:40 So much for "Make sure spectators are at least 20-feet away."...14:00 "Warp Factor 1!": Captain Kirk hits the "Launch" button by accident while everyone's in blinding-distance and winces. Spock must have "sabatahjed" it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHmbpXxml96pfKM

[@bluelionsage99]

Man, Shatner must have been pretty cheap to hire back in his early Trek days if Estes could hire him for this. I have to admit I was not very particular about check lists when I was launching my craft into the sky.

[@MalachiWhite-tw7hl]

Shatner's own attitude was to never turn down any work.

[@jozefmalik8443]

👍🌟🌠

[@alfred.g7521]

Imagine kids now days actually building and flying a model rocket.? Pfft. They all want instant gratification with minimal or no effort.

[@andy-in-indy]

I will remind the 20+ scouts coming to this Sunday's launch that you said that.

[@james-faulkner]

Was this video posted in violation of it's license? :) This isn't the old youtube when you didn't have to worry about copyrights.

[@jagboy69]

I highly doubt Estes would care about a 44yr old video.. They are still around.

[@williamjoyal3553]

Listen to Captain Kirk

[@peterparker9286]

454 chevy. 444 ford. 454 the moons temp below Zero Farenheit.

[@jaminova_1969]

1st in Space!

[@joshuagibson2520]

The fun I had launching these in the 80s. Now days entire generations of pussies and weirdos are being raised. Thank god I'm not long for this world. It's getting worse by the day.

[@JavierFlores-lp7lw]

The fake frontier to fake spaceballs

[@phayzyre1052]

Wow, I never saw this before. I was 6 years old in 1977, some older kids in my neighborhood were into model rockets, which later sparked my interest. Throughout the 1980s I built several of them. Good times! 🥹