Rocketry - Estes Historic Document - 1961

This historic video is based on an 8mm 1961 movie by John Schutz and has added still photos and commentary to provide additional information. Clips in the video show Vern operating Mabel while still in Denver, our move to Penrose, the original Penrose office, initial building construction and a prototype Astron Space Plane launch. This video shows the humble beginning of the company that rapidly grew and became the premier company serving the model rocket community.

You can review more Estes history and learn about a book I am writing titled "Dear Mr. Estes" on my website. The book tells about the development and growth of the company by answering letters received some 50 years ago from America's young rocketeers. Go to website at... "vernestes.com"

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Howto & Style

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• rocketry
• rocketeer
• estes
• vdestes
• model
• rocket

[09Penrose]

Dear Wontonga,

To my knowledge no one at Estes has ever "hated" or discriminated against any persons due to their religion, race, sex or for any other reason. Over the years several people of Jewish faith and/or ancestry have worked at Estes. Our customers and employees are the basis of our success and continued existence.

Thank you for your interest in rocketry.

Mary Roberts, Estes Industries

[wontonga]

Once, they EVEN called ESTES and spoke with a guy by the name of Hellman or Hillman and when the guy heard their last names he turned cold and hung up quick never sending the Estes catalogs that he promised

just moments before when he didn't know that they were Jews.

[wontonga]

No matter how many times Estes was sold, the same Jew haters worked there. If my Jewish buddies wroteto Estes using their Jewish names like Haim Goldberg or Avraham Cohen, Estes would ignore their letters THEN they would send the EXACT same letter only this time signed Chris Robertson AND Estes would always reply!!! - ESTES=Anti Semitism!

[hagerty1952]

Was that a Renault Dauphine in front of your first Penrose office?

[Flint870]

I drove by Estes Industries in Penrose off US 50 last week. It looks all shuttered up. It wasn't that way several years ago. Looks like everything is made in China now.

[waynealarsen]

I Loved Estes and century. I lauched many a solid rocket engine! Love it!

[jeromeyward]

Thanks for sharing this!! I burned up a few hundred of those engines in my youth!

[Wallyum]

I wish the full flight of the prototype Space Plane was available. Very cool anyway.  ;-)

[silverbeatle71]

An interesting video. Igot my start in rocketry with the Kadet (lost on first launch). Now building (again) the Blackbird. Thank you so much for sharing.

[moomman89]

Awesome. I met Vern Estes a few years ago.Got a nice picture with him. His wife e-mailed me the picture. You can see it on the NARHAMS web site under people. I haven't seen any at the club for the last two years. HMM