As a teenager in high school, I used to ride my Schwinn Varsity 10-speed bicycle the two-and-a-half miles to the Centuri Corporation office/store/factory location where I would purchase rocket kits, rocket engines and other miscellaneous items needed to build and launch rockets. I knew the guy who modeled for the Saturn V rocket kit (this guy later became a member of our band), so I felt like I was a part of the rocket community. I got my father interested enough for him to build a rocket, which I had never known him to build any kind of model before, since he was really into cars and hunting.
The Centuri Corporation has been long gone for many years now, so pretty much everything I buy now is from Estes Models. They have a section in most hobby stores, where popular kits and engines can be purchased. They also have an online store where you can buy anything they make.
This section highlights some of the rockets I have been fortunate enough to have a history with, some longer than others.
The Centuri Corporation has been long gone for many years now, so pretty much everything I buy now is from Estes Models. They have a section in most hobby stores, where popular kits and engines can be purchased. They also have an online store where you can buy anything they make.
This section highlights some of the rockets I have been fortunate enough to have a history with, some longer than others.
Estes Arrow
Original Arrow Kit
My Arrow is one of my older rockets and has been a great flyer, so it has become one of my "frequent flyers". Every flight makes great sound and flies very straight with no twisting or spiraling. It comes down quickly without floating because I put an extra-large hole in the center of the parachute.
I did the fins a little different than other rockets and used TopFlite Monokote to cover them, instead of priming with paint, sanding, repeating and then putting on a final color coat of paint. This material is used in radio-controlled airplanes to cover wings, etc., because it has an adhesive that gets sticky when heated or ironed on the surface. It also shrinks to remove any sagging or wrinkles, so it is easy to make balsa look good.
I did the fins a little different than other rockets and used TopFlite Monokote to cover them, instead of priming with paint, sanding, repeating and then putting on a final color coat of paint. This material is used in radio-controlled airplanes to cover wings, etc., because it has an adhesive that gets sticky when heated or ironed on the surface. It also shrinks to remove any sagging or wrinkles, so it is easy to make balsa look good.
Nike Smoke
Estes Nike Smoke Kit
Centuri Nike Smoke Kit
My Nike Smoke is my oldest rocket, by far, and has been a great flyer, so it was my first "frequent flyer". A few of the fins have been broken on recovery and the body tube has had its share of being hit with the nose cone on bounce-back during parachute ejection, but it still flies well.
I am pretty sure this is the Centuri Corporation kit, and not the later Estes version. I think that makes it over forty years old (!!).
My father decided to build one of these to match mine when I got my rockets from Centuri Corporation. He built it, painted it, and launched it, once. It was destroyed on the first launch because of a bad engine. On takeoff, the rocket went about three feet off the launch pad and then the engine started blowing out the side of the casing instead of through the nozzle at the bottom. It landed on the ground with flames, sparks and smoke shooting out the side of the rocket and ended its flight with the ejection charge pushing out the nose cone and the never used before parachute. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it was quite a sight, right before our eyes! It was his only flight. Ever.
I like using this rocket to hold the Estes AstroCam because placing the camera at the top of its longer body keeps the center-of-gravity ahead of the center-of-pressure, and continues to fly very stable.
I am pretty sure this is the Centuri Corporation kit, and not the later Estes version. I think that makes it over forty years old (!!).
My father decided to build one of these to match mine when I got my rockets from Centuri Corporation. He built it, painted it, and launched it, once. It was destroyed on the first launch because of a bad engine. On takeoff, the rocket went about three feet off the launch pad and then the engine started blowing out the side of the casing instead of through the nozzle at the bottom. It landed on the ground with flames, sparks and smoke shooting out the side of the rocket and ended its flight with the ejection charge pushing out the nose cone and the never used before parachute. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it was quite a sight, right before our eyes! It was his only flight. Ever.
I like using this rocket to hold the Estes AstroCam because placing the camera at the top of its longer body keeps the center-of-gravity ahead of the center-of-pressure, and continues to fly very stable.
Estes Der Red Max
Estes Der Red Max Kit
My Der Red Max is one of my newer rockets and has been a great flyer, so it has become one of my "frequent flyers". Every flight is easy to prep with the large diameter body, it makes great sound and is easy to find when locating during recovery.
Scale Rockets
I have a few rockets that are flown very infrequently. This is because they are more difficult rockets to build and I don't really want to jeopardize them by subjecting them to the launch, recovery cycle. This set includes the Saturn 1B, the Mercury Redstone, and the Saturn V. All of them were Estes kits.
Estes Saturn V
My Saturn V is the oldest of these and has flown the most of all three, with over four successful launches as of December 2024. This rocket was first flown in 2013 after spending several months building and painting it. I use a D12-3 engine (the larger diameter one) when launching and it is very susceptible to any kind of wind, as it will immediately turn directly into the wind once off the larger launch rod I have to use.
There is a set of plastic engine nozzles for display that are removed before launch so the engine can be installed and fired. There is also an escape rocket tower on the top of the capsule that I remove for launches as well, so I don’t lose or damage it, as it is very fragile.
Even taking all these precautions and not launching it frequently, the rocket still has some minor damage. Most of the damage is from heat generated by the engine that causes the plastic portions of the lower fin “nozzles”, and the plastic corrugation material to melt and burn away. There is also some decal damage, most likely due to handling, even though the entire rocket was sprayed with clear flat paint when finished.
Because of the immediate “weathercocking” when launching, the altitudes are never very high and make for an exciting few moments waiting for the ejection charge to fire and hoping that the three parachutes, one for the top one-third of the rocket and the other two attached to the bottom portion, have enough time to deploy and open fully before it reaches the ground. So far, so good!
There is a set of plastic engine nozzles for display that are removed before launch so the engine can be installed and fired. There is also an escape rocket tower on the top of the capsule that I remove for launches as well, so I don’t lose or damage it, as it is very fragile.
Even taking all these precautions and not launching it frequently, the rocket still has some minor damage. Most of the damage is from heat generated by the engine that causes the plastic portions of the lower fin “nozzles”, and the plastic corrugation material to melt and burn away. There is also some decal damage, most likely due to handling, even though the entire rocket was sprayed with clear flat paint when finished.
Because of the immediate “weathercocking” when launching, the altitudes are never very high and make for an exciting few moments waiting for the ejection charge to fire and hoping that the three parachutes, one for the top one-third of the rocket and the other two attached to the bottom portion, have enough time to deploy and open fully before it reaches the ground. So far, so good!
Rocket Clubs
Rocket clubs can be very helpful when in this hobby, as there are not many rocket-friendly places to fly.
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Superstition Spacemodeling Society Rocketry Club
SSS Rocketry Club
Their launch site is the closest to me, Rainbow Valley near Buckeye, AZ, and I have been to at least one of their launches.
Places To Fly Rockets
Each Phoenix valley city has its own rules on if and where rockets can be flown in the city. This list is helpful to know upfront where you are allowed to launch.
Please be aware that almost all valley city parks that allow rocket launches limit engine size to A or B (no C size or higher).
Please be aware that almost all valley city parks that allow rocket launches limit engine size to A or B (no C size or higher).
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City of Phoenix Parks
Parks that Allow Model Rocket Launches
There are only a few parks in the city of Phoenix where flying is allowed. This lists each of them along with maps and descriptions of where in the park it is allowed. There are also links to specific laws regarding this activity.
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Valley Cities Illegal To Fly
This list is not complete, but the following valley cities specifically state that NO model rocket flying is allowed in any city park.
- Avondale
- Glendale
- Goodyear
- Peoria
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Cities Possibly Legal To Fly
The following valley cities do not have any specific rules around model rocket flying. Yet.
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Litchfield Park - no rules found
Litchfield Park City Parks
This link provides a list of the Litchfield City parks along with descriptions of areas, but there appears to be no information regarding rules about flying.
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Buckeye - no rules found
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Litchfield Park - no rules found
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Arizona State Trust Land
Please note: You need a permit to be on State Trust land. It is super easy to get a permit, the cost is very reasonable, but it is not free. There are permits for individuals, families and groups, each having their own set of restrictions and fees. The links below should help you navigate that process.
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Arizona State Trust Land Maps
AZ State Land Department Maps and GIS
You can either order a paper map (huge) for a specific county, or you can use the online map (Parcel Viewer) to figure out the areas you can fly in.
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Arizona State Trust Land Permits
AZ State Land Department Applications and Permits
The Recreational Land Use section has applications for Individual, Family or Small Group permits.
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Arizona State Trust Land Maps
Rocketry Videos
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Kevin's Models and More
Kevin's Models and More YouTube Channel
Kevin is in the Phoenix valley area and has videos and tips on flying and building model rockets. He is a super nice guy that has a lot of rockets in his arsenal as well as some electronic gadgets that add excitement and interest to the hobby.
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MOB Rockets
MOB Rockets YouTube Channel
Michael is in the east Phoenix valley area and has videos on flying rockets in small park settings and large, open setting with larger rockets. He also has a very cool video about the Phoenix parks that allow rocket flying with flights from each park.
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ModelRockets321
ModelRockets321 YouTube Channel
This guy is in the Phoenix valley area and has videos on flying rockets, building rockets, and "after the launch" discussions about the good, bad and ugly parts of the hobby.
Places To Buy Stuff From
Here are a few of the places I have used when buying rockets and associated components. Some are local, some are not, but they have all helped me get the parts and supplies that I needed.
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Hobby Bench (if you're local to Phoenix area)
Hobby Bench Home
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8058 N 19th AvePhoenix, Az 85021602-995-1755
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4240 W Bell RdPhoenix, Az 85032602-547-1828
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Estes Rockets
Estes Rockets Home
This one one of the major players in model rocketry. A lot of their rocket kits and supplies can be found in local hobby stores, but if you can't find what you want, then this is the place to go.