001225 - Alpha®

My first Alpha was launched in 1967. In the 1980s my family visited the Estes plant in Penrose, CO where they had my son launch an Alpha that they then gave him to take home as a souvener.. We still have and launch that Alpha.

My original had balsa fins which I personally prefer but the plastic assembly works well and keeps on going. For a first-time builder the plastic fins are probably best.

Every rocketeer needs at least one Alpha. You will want the bigger versions of the Alpha, too.

(Posted on 6/17/2017)

Unlike most, the Alpha was not my first rocket (it was a Big Bertha). But I have built a few and I lead a 4-H rocket club and strongly encourage new members to build this rocket. They enjoy doing it and they like the way it looks. It flies very well, is light and still reasonably rugged.

My only complaint are the included adhesive decals. Please Estes, dump these and give us water slide decals that won't curl and fall off.

(Posted on 9/8/2016)

I've been flying rockets since the 1960's, and the Alpha has always been everybody's starter. One quibble, though: the change of fins from balsa to plastic was a bad idea. They tend to break on impact with any hard surface, and I went through my educator bulk pack very quickly! I would suggest the E2X Bulk Pack instead. Out of 24 Generics, we have lost only 2, and NONE to fin breakage!
Just as easy to build, much sturdier, and you won't have 12 YO kids crying because their 1st rocket broke when it hit the parking lot! ESTES NOTE: The 1225 Alpha has always been balsa fins. The Alpha III does have plastic fins though.

(Posted on 6/5/2016)

This Rocket is simple and fun to build and launch. This is a great rocket does not take a lot of time to build and is good to learn on. Great for your first rocket build

(Posted on 4/29/2016)

This is one of those rocket that everyone starts with. Easy to build, just don't use white glue. Use wood glue and is going to be a favorite.

(Posted on 7/7/2015)

i love it. its nostalgic. my dad had one and he gave it to me he told me how the wooden fins always broke after every flight and how he likes plastic fins on the new rockets. i was a kid at the time and broke the rocket and over the years of launching i lost it. will never forget it. however my local hobby shop is always out of stock of these fine examples of model rocketry

(Posted on 5/26/2015)

It's an Alpha - everyone needs an Alpha. It builds easily, looks sharp, and flies great on a large variety of motors. What else can you ask for? Mine is painted all white and has the red and blue decals. I really like the all white look. I also replaced the parachute with a streamer to reduce drift on descent, and the rocket handles streamer landings just fine. A perfect sport rocket and I will always have one in my collection.

(Posted on 5/12/2015)

The Alpha was one of my most favorite rockets I built as a kid. Wanting my children to experience the exciting world of rocketry I am planning on building this one with them. I remember sending mine up with the longest burning C engines I could buy. I was always able to find mine but we had 11 acres for the recovery, few power lines and few trees. Great 4-H project!

(Posted on 2/18/2015)

A classic rocket that's easy to build, fun to fly, and looks great. This was the first rocket I built, and I enjoyed the building almost as much as the flying. Just be careful what engine you use--it's very easy to lose on the more powerful engines.

(Posted on 2/6/2015)

This is a fun rocket for beginners. I've had mine for awhile, so its starting to wear out. It goes fairly high and has good colors. The only thing I would would maybe change is possibly a bigger parachute.

(Posted on 1/28/2015)