Model Rockets have been around for nearly 50 years now. It all started out with the space age in the early 50's.

Orville Carlisle and G Harry Stine were the two important individuals to get the hobby started. Noting, that there was a need for a safe and sane alternative to "basemanet bombers", those who concocted chemical into crude rockets, a safe alternative was needed.

Model missiles was the first comapny to have commercially avalable model rockets, any Model Missile item today is quite collectible and sought after.

Another key player in the model rocket story is Vernon Estes, who is the name sake of Estes model rockets. Mr Estes was the first to develop an automatic machine to produce model rocket motors, the name of that machine was mabel.

Another key figure is Lee Piester, the founder of Centuri model rockets, today, Mr Piester runs four successful hobby stores in the Phoenix area, named Hobby Bench.

Unfortunately, both Mr Estes and Mr Piester sold their respective companies to the Damon Corp in the late 60's,and eventually, both Estes and Centuri were combined as one comapny.

Model rocket are very collectible today, many different model have come and gone,vintage Estes and Centuri rockets command high prices today, especially the earlier kits.

From a collectors point of view, Model Missiles,and Centuri kits and related items are more desirable due to their limited availability.

Cox at one time produced RTF (ready to fly)model rockets, but, unfortunately, they weren't that popular and the line was dropped after a very short run. Cox items are also very sought after.

The NAR (National Association of Rocektry( is a national organization devoted to the hobby, membership is available and information can be found on the net at nar.org. Over the years, the NAR produced several magazines Model Rocketry, Model Roceketeer, American Spacemodeling and currently Sport Rocketry. The earlier issues of these magazines are another sourght after item and complete collections cammand high prices.

Just a note, in the American Aircraft Modeler magazines mid to late 60's issues, there are articles regarding the early years of the hobby.

Collecting model rockets can be very enjoyable, and in some case somewhat expensive, there are many reasonable costing items out there and on the otherhand, some with outrageous prices.

If you look hard enough, you can find an item to fit your budget and collecting desire.Unfortunately, today, hobbies that need construction are dwindling, due to the electronics age.

so, happy collecting, of something very worthwhile.