Alpha III E2X Model Rocket Kit

While not quite RTF, the Alpha III is a kit that can easily be built the night before a launch and perform like a champ the next day. Looks good on the pad and builds surprisingly rugged. Be sure to add extra shock cord or Kevlar because it's one area where Estes continues to be lacking.

Very easy to assemble, as advertised. Flies very well, and can achieve very high altitudes with the right engines. Of course, be aware that winds at ground level may not reflect the winds at high altitude- have a big launch area with a good feel for the wind with any B engine or higher. Very sturdy. I had a parachute failure due to the parachute getting stuck in the cone section (from user error, I admit), and the entire assembly fell to earth WITHOUT DAMAGE.

The Estes Alpha III is ideal for situations where you want to get in the air as quickly as possible, thanks to its simple design and plastic fin can. One thing of note about this kit is the nose cone. Specifically, you can't find it anywhere else, as I'm not aware of any currently produced Estes kit that use it. Another neat feature about this nose cone (besides its shape) is that its shoulder is wide open, with the shock cord attacking to a small eyelet that screws into the side of the nose cone. This makes it convenient location for a payload, like an altimeter. Another thing of note is the bottom of the fins. A few descents onto a hard surface may lead to some bent tips.