Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7
Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7 Straight
Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7 Packaging
Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7 Angled
Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7 Flame
Parachute
Launch and Recovery

Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7

SKU: 001921
$29.99
Sale
Advanced

Recreate the excitement of the early days of NASA with this stunning 1:34 scale replica of Mercury Redstone (MR-4) and Gus Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7. The finished model stands nearly 29 inches tall with laser-cut, layered balsa fins. Topped with a detailed plastic scale model of the historic Mercury spacecraft.

  • Recommended Engines: C5-3, C6-3
  • Projected Max Altitude: 200 ft. (61 m)
  • Precision 1:34 scale replica
  • Detailed Mercury Spacecraft
  • Layered balsa fins

Overview

When Gus Grissom climbed into the cockpit of his Mercury spacecraft on the morning of July 21, 1961, he was ready for an adventure. Grissom’s Mercury mission (MR-4) was the second of the series, and like Alan Shephard before him, it was a sub-orbital lob. The Redstone rocket would take Gus and his spacecraft, dubbed Liberty Bell 7, above the atmosphere, but not quite fast enough to achieve orbit. The launch was on time and perfect, as was the short period of weightless flight, and re-entry through the atmosphere. Liberty Bell 7 deployed its main parachute as expected and landed within two miles of the Navy recovery team. Gus secured the spacecraft and waited to be rescued. However, without warning, the explosive hatch blew off and the spacecraft begin to take on water. Grissom escaped but nearly drowned in his spacesuit. Liberty Bell 7 filled with seawater and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic. It was the only NASA spacecraft ever lost at sea.

The Estes Mercury Redstone 4 is an impressive 1:34 scale model of the historic NASA spacecraft and rocket. The finished kit stands nearly 29 inches tall and features laser-cut, layered balsa fins and a molded plastic model of Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7 and it’s Launch Escape System (LES). The set of detailed water-slide decals even includes the distinctive white “crack” that Gus painted onto the side of his spacecraft to make it resemble the actual Liberty Bell. This Advanced kit is a “must have” for all serious model rocketeers! Put the Mercury Redstone 4 on the flight line and countdown to launch, and watch it reach altitudes up to 200 feet on a C6-3 engine. Rocket and spacecraft return together under a colorful 15 inch parachute, ready to prep and launch again.

As for the real Liberty Bell 7, in 1999 after resting silently beneath the Atlantic for 38 years, a recovery team located and raised the spacecraft from its 16,000-foot depth. Now restored, Gus Grissom’s once lost spacecraft is on display in a Kansas museum, a tribute to the memorable, early days of the U.S. space program.

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

C5-3, C6-3
  • Launch System

Porta-Pad II
  • Projected Max Altitude

200 ft. (61 m)
  • Recovery System

15 in. (38.1 cm) Parachute
  • Length

28.6 in. (72.6 cm)
  • Diameter

2.05 in. (52 mm)
  • Weight

3.7 oz. (104.9 g)
  • Fin Material

Laser Cut Balsa Wood

Needed to Build (sold separately)

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

Customer Reviews

Based on 14 reviews
71%
(10)
14%
(2)
14%
(2)
0%
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0%
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M
Mark
Mercury redstone

All in all a fun build. The only thing was the capsule ejection tower was not easy to assemble. Parts did not fit right.

J
J.E.
Awesome Replica!

Considering I haven’t built an Estes Rocket since third grade lol, I love how it turned out! Was a challenge (especially the escape tower) however it’s an amazing kit and working replica of a historic NASA rocket! Waiting on my Saturn V with launch pad kit to come purchased here to launch the Mercury, New Shepard, and Saturn V with the included C6-3 engines! Planning on getting the Space Shuttle, SLS, Space X Falcon 9, and the Mercury Little Joe 1 eventually too, and have them displayed in order on a shelf on the wall when not launching which will look amazing with how detailed they area! Thank you Estes for providing such nice products !

D
Doug
Beautiful rocket

Love the look of this rocket. But the nose cone is a pain to build and a little flimsy. Everytime I launch it breaks. So I don't launch it anymore.