Description
Pro Series II
The Pro Series II line just got a new member! Meet the Super Big Bertha, featuring a BT80 (2.6 in/66 mm) diameter body tube for your building enjoyment. Standing over 36 inches tall, the Super Big Bertha comes with the quick release motor retention system just as the other Pro Series kits do. (9750 Pro Series II 29MM Retainer Set – is also sold separately). Construction of this kit is not difficult and the altitudes you will reach are very impressive! Building and finish work can easily be accomplished over a few days. AND did we mention its a bring back from around 1990?
WHAT YOU NEED TO BUILD: Scissors, pencil, ruler, fine sandpaper, ca, epoxy, carpenter’s glue, hobby knife, masking tape, primer (white), paint (red, white) and clear coat (optional). (Tools, construction and finishing supplies not included.)
WHAT YOU NEED TO LAUNCH (sold separately): Pro Series II Launch Pad and Pro Series II Launch Controller, Estes model rocket engines, starters and Pro Series II Recovery Wadding. Six C 1.5V high quality alkaline batteries are also required for launch controller (not included).
WARNING
Donald Tarpley –
Hey Andrew this is a learning process that you have to learn how to do when you get into some of the higher skill level rockets not all rockets come with pre slotted tubes…this is all a learning process that we all have to learn…I also wish this rocket came that way but I would rather learn on this rocket versus a rocket that cost a lot more
Andrew Tomach –
The body tube should be pre-slotted for the through-the-wall fins. Slotting the tube wall with an X-Acto knife is a miserable job which often results in a wrecked tube. Other Pro Series-II kits come with pre-slotted tubes and all of them should, particularly at these prices.
Rocket Guru –
I have the original Super Big Bertha and yes it’s still in one piece and still launches fine and thanks for decades of enjoyment, ESTES. Glad ESTES up powered the Super Big Bertha to 29mm motors, hint, hint leave out motor block and use the screw lock for retention, it’s lighter and you can use longer grain cases. I have launched them all, from Mini Bertha to Super Big Betha and all are enjoyable. The BT-80 can house a 38mm motor, or 2x29mm motors, canted for extra flame and twirl, I will be modifying mine, for the cluster. Super Big Bertha can also be modified for 3x, or 4x 24mm motors. For you purists, the 3x24mm configuration should be called the Estes Super Ranger. How about a Super Baby Bertha, Estes and one more for PSII fleet?
Andrew (verified owner) –
Great 1st launch
We took the SBB to a high-power launch this past weekend for its first flight. Beautiful liftoff and flight on an F15-8 motor. Had a chute release at 300-feet altitude and recovered it after a short walk. It was my son’s favorite launch of the weekend.
Andrew (verified owner) –
Welcome addition to PS II lineup
We have a regular Big Bertha, and my 12-year-old had just finished building and successfully flying a hot-rodded Baby Bertha, so I knew a PS II Super Bertha was a natural follow-on as soon as I saw it in the catalog. With it being three feet high and over 2.5″ in diameter, he was suitably impressed with it right out of the box. If you have ever built a Mega Der Red Max, the fin construction will be familiar, i.e. a core piece with cutouts sandwiched between two thin face sheets to make a light but very stiff fin. To avoid any warping, we used epoxy to laminate the fins. A feature I really like about prior PS II rockets is the pre-cut fin slots, but on this one you have to use a template and cut them out yourself. Also the engine centering rings are cardboard that IMHO could be a bit thicker. That said, the construction has been very straight-forward and we are looking forward to first flight at a high-power launch next month. Not counting time for the fin laminates to cure, total time is 2 to 3 enjoyable hours for building and finishing.