SPORT ROCKETRY MAY/JUNE 2024 43
In 2017 I was on the planning commit-
tee for NSL 2018, which was celebrating
the 60th year of the National Association
of Rocketry, and 60 years from the time
Vernon Estes began working with G. Har-
ry Stine to mass produce model rocket en-
gines.
Given the importance of these events to
the founding our rocketry hobby, it was
apparent to me that we would need the se-
nior leaderships of both the NAR and Es-
tes Industries to be included as active par-
ticipants for this special NSL. Knowing we
had already confirmed NAR senior leader-
ship's attendance, I reached out to Mr. Es-
tes to invite him and his wife to attend the
event.
e last "Dear Mr. Estes" letter I penned
was back in 1969 as I was about to leave
for college in which I thanked him for all
Estes had done for those of us flying mod-
el rockets during that decade. I said I was
leaving rocketry as I headed off into my
professional carrier. He wrote back at that
time and said there was no reason to leave
rocketry, implying I would be back into it
at some point. Little did I know how pro-
phetic his thoughts on that would prove to
be!
Long story short, Vern and Gleda agreed
to come, and put on an informative pre-
sentation during the banquet at NSL 2018,
sharing some things they have never
shared previously!
Once word got out that they were at-
tending, several fliers started to upscale
Estes rockets to fly at NSL.
Robert and Gloria DeHate of Animal
Motor Works created a limited edition of
an upscaled Big Bertha kit with a fiberglass
