Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1520252
the circular black and white film discs that were used in the Camroc, which many of us flew back then. We toured the room where staff back in the 1960s used to re- ceive literally thousands of post cards with 25 cents taped to them, to request the lat- est Estes catalogs. e volume became so heavy a post office was needed, so Estes housed the U.S. Post Office of Penrose Col- orado for several years, until it eventually moved out to its own (federal) facility. We were shown their preparation area where all of their staff are required to build and fly at least one model rocket to better un- derstand their products. ere was much too much more to include in this article. At the end of the tour Vern Estes arrived for the transfer of my Ultimate Big Bertha to Estes Industries. Gleda unfortunately was unable to join us due to health issues. Dan and I very much enjoyed having the opportunity to see Vern again, and spent some time catching up with him, as we had last seen him in 2018. Dan assisted me in bringing the rocket in, and the two of us stood up the Ultimate Big Bertha, in its permanent location in the lobby. It literally just cleared blades of the ceiling fan on the second story ceiling! Vern brought his original prototype Bertha, which he has flown hundreds of times at various events over the course of the ensuing years. Although the paint scheme may have been different, his Ber- tha is the parent of all Berthas, including the Ultimate Big Bertha that is now on dis- play in the Estes Industries lobby for pres- ent day and future fliers to experience for years to come. We said our goodbyes to Vern, and then the Estes staff later that aernoon, head- ing back to our Canyon City hotel. Over the next two days we repeated the 4:00 AM daily departures to eventually arrive back in upstate New York early ursday eve- ning. We had time to reflect on all we had seen. I hope some of those reading this article will have the opportunity to at some point take a trip to Penrose to see the birthplace of model rocketry, (being sure to plan ahead to be able to participate in a public tour they offer), and get a chance to take family pictures/selfies alongside of the Ul- timate Big Bertha, which is aer all why it is there…. Note: All pictures for this article were taken by Dan Michael, my traveling com- panion, and Aaron Berndt of Estes Indus- tries. SPORT ROCKETRY MAY/JUNE 2024 45