Big Bertha with Bag
001948 - Big Bertha™-0
Big Bertha Straight
Big Bertha Slanted
Big Bertha Fire
Recovery System
Estes 1948 Big Bertha Parts
Big Bertha Launch

Big Bertha®

SKU: 001948
$29.99
Sale
Intermediate

The Big Bertha gives you a slow, realistic liftoff. What a thrill it is to watch! Propelled by powerful Estes standard model rocket engines, this beauty travels to 500 feet. In one afternoon your Bertha is ready for an exciting time at the launch field!

  • Recommended Engines: B4-2, B4-4, B6-2, B6-4, C6-5
  • Projected Max Altitude: 500 ft. (152 m)
  • Slow realistic liftoff
  • Large 18 in. parachute

Overview

Big Bertha is an Estes original! She's an all-around Estes favorite that has truly withstood the test of time. Over the decades, Big Bertha has been most modelers' first big build. If you've never flown a Bertha, get one and launch it. Once you've flown it, you'll take it to every launch! 

The Big Bertha gives you a slow, realistic liftoff. What a thrill it is to watch! Propelled by powerful standard Estes engines, this beauty travels to 500 feet and comes back to Earth with an 18 inch parachute. Quality Estes body tubes, laser cut wood fins, molded plastic nose cone and easy to apply waterslide decals makes this rocket kit a perfect companion for an afternoon of building enjoyment. The Big Bertha is guaranteed to impress even the savviest of rocketeers. 

What You Need to Fly

Estes Porta-Pad II Launch Pad and Electron Beam Launch Controller, Estes model rocket engines, starters and recovery wadding.
Four 1.5V high quality AA alkaline batteries (sold separately)

Technical Specifications

  • Recommended Engines

B4-2, B4-4, B6-2, B6-4, C6-5
  • Launch System

Porta-Pad II
  • Projected Max Altitude

500 ft. (152 m)
  • Recovery System

18 in. (45.7 cm) Parachute
  • Length

24 in. (61 cm)
  • Diameter

1.64 in. (42 mm)
  • Weight

2.5 oz. (70.9 g)
  • Fin Material

Laser Cut Balsa Wood

Needed to Build (sold separately)

Scissors, pencil, ruler, fine sandpaper, carpenter's glue, hobby knife, masking tape, primer (white) and paint (black, yellow).
This product recommended for children ages 10+ with adult supervision for those under 12, and rocketeers of all ages.

Customer Reviews

Based on 13 reviews
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(12)
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O
Owen
One of my favorite rockets

Great rocket to build and launch. Construction is straightforward and beginner friendly, and launch is high-performance. The liftoff is slow, as advertised (That is, compared to other rockets) and the rocket has a stable flight. The yellow paint scheme looks great and is visible in the sky. I have launched it about 8-10 times by now, and most launches were successful. There was one launch when the parachute failed to deploy, and the rocket plummeted to the ground, but surprisingly, suffered no damage so I was able to launch it again. I built mine stock, but it can easily be modified to take 24mm or 29mm engines if you want it to go higher.

D
Dan
Great rocket forever

I built mine as my first rocket over 40 years ago and planning to help my 7 year old build one soon.

R
R.C.
A blast from my past

I built one of these at a church group in the early 70's and had fun with it. I did a quick search for Big Bertha today and here I am, very seriously considering another purchase at age 60+. Second childhood I guess!