Vendors and Resellers
A2Z Hobbies
Great prices on all things Estes,
Custom, and Quest! Delivery by
USPS in 2-3 days.
BRS Hobbies
BRS Hobbies has some of the
best specials around! Brian has
always gotten my order to me
within 2 days. Can't be beat!
Bill Cooke's Virtual Space
This page contains links to the rocketry vendors (manufacturers) and resellers to
which I have placed orders. I have indicated what I consider to be the principal
strength of each one... Note that this does not constitute a comprehensive list;
indeed it is very much focused on low powered rocketry. For other vendor reviews
and listings, especially those catering to high power rocketeers, check out
Rocketry Online or The Rocketry Forum. Also note that major vendors, such as
Estes, Quest, and Custom are not listed below - you can get their products, plus
much more, from the resellers on the left.
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Do you wish to return to the rockets you launched in much younger days (the Days of Yore, in my case)? If so, check out the Semroc Astronautics Corporation. They have many very fine quality reproductions of old (and very cool) out-of-production kits, plus some new birds that can introduce you to mid-power rocketry. Doesn’t matter whether you are considering a return to the rocketeer ranks or if you’re someone younger looking for something a little different, Semroc has a kit for you!
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Fliskits is the company that many consider to be the star of the modern rocket vendors. The instructions and patterns for the Midnight Express, the Tour de Deuce, and the Caution paper rockets can be found at this site under “Free Stuff.” While you’re there, check out the many exciting kits Jim Flis and company have to offer, particularly the Rhino and the Triskelion rockets, designed with the beginner in mind. If you are already into rockets, the Deuce’s Wild 2-engine cluster rocket is considered to be a “must-have” by practically all rocketeers.
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Balsa Machining Service produces all sorts of balsa nose cones, transitions, centering rings, and other goodies you need to clone an old kit or transform your design into a real model. They also carry 34" heavy tubing of various diameters - perfect for bigger rockets! And if you're a klutz like me, they offer custom laser cutting services for fins and other balsa parts.
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Want to build a rocket that has that science fiction look? You know, like the spaceships in “When Worlds Collide” or “Rocketship XM”? Then mosey on over to the web site of The Squirrel Works for some out-of-this world kits. Their "Red Baron" boost glider is a favorite of rocketeers and a real crowd-pleaser!
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Need to know whether that rocket you designed on notebook paper will fly? Apogee Rockets sells the RockSim rocket design software that not only tells you if the bird is stable, but also how high and how fast it will go, plus a zillion other things. It’ll even print out parts lists, shrouds, and fin patterns, and let you play with colors and decals so you can see what your design will look like after it’s been painted. Does everything but build it for you!
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John Dyer produces some pretty cool designs, including the Stratos and U.S.S. Prometheus. He also has a couple of nice competition kits. Check it out!
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Fred Talasco of Excelsior Rocketry provides two very valuable services to the rocketry community - 1) he injects humor through his "Gooney Bird" Baby Bertha Bashes, and 2) he produces the best water slide decals in the business. Visit his site if you want to turn that plain ole Baby Bertha into something hilarious, if you need a decal for an old model or clone you just built, or if you need a custom decal.
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If you are having trouble finding a part for that old kit or clone, check out Moldin' Oldies. Mike Schmidt makes cast resin replicas of exotic OOP nose cones (like that of the Estes Interceptor or Centuri Quasar) and other parts, at very reasonable prices.
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Vendors:
Resellers:
Cowboy Rocketry
Art Upton at Cowboy Rocketry
sells the BoosterVision wireless
video camera and accessories.
Get the 'rocket's eye' view of your
launches!
Uncle Mike's Rocket Shack
Don't let the name fool you -
"Uncle Mike" Scopone's online
store is well stocked with great
deals and some of the best
service in the business!
Red Arrow Hobbies
Red Arrow Hobbies has an
excellent collection of kits, parts,
and engines. They even produce
a few birds of their own, and
have a great parts assortment!
Countdown Hobbies
Bruce at Countdown Hobbies
offers a very large selection of
everything, and has some
excellent specials. Check it out!