North Coast Rocketry

2012-05-01T21:22:00.000-06:00

North Coast Rocketry Announces Apogee Components as Exclusive Dealer

Hutchinson, KS - North Coast Rocketry announced at NARCON 2012 that Apogee Components will serve as an exclusive dealer for North Coast Rocketry's forthcoming products.

"I have been a long time fan of Apogee and Tim Van Milligan, especially his approach to customer service” said NCR President Matt Steele. “When I went looking for a partner to fulfill and ship NCR orders, Apogee was a logical choice. Given my full time position (business development for the ATK/Lockheed Martin Athena IIc and Athena III launch vehicles), I didn't think I could offer the level of customer service that today's rocketeers deserve without working with an established full service rocketry dealer. I am pleased to work with Tim and his staff to offer NCR products in the very near future.”

Tim Van Milligan, President of Apogee Components, said, "I'm always looking for new and interesting kits, but this is different. North Coast Rocketry has a long history of creating kits of exceptional quality and has a reputation that is hard to beat. I'm looking forward to being involved in the marketing and delivery of the rockets.

As one of the first and most notable high power kit manufacturers, North Coast Rocketry popularized many high power designs and ideas that are evident in many of the kits available today. Three new kits and a special display stand are planned for the initial release soon.

Apogee Components, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a leading online retailer of model rockets. They specialize in helping customers move from beginner to expert by offering a wide variety of kits with different skill levels, and abundant technical educational reports and video tutorials.

See you at NARCON!

2012-04-11T13:02:00.003-06:00

I am getting ready to head to NARCON. I will be showing the first 4 new North Coast Rocketry products at NARCON. I will also be announcing a special distribution deal that will affect how you can get the new NCR products.

I wish things were going faster, but my real-life job keeps getting in the way! Right after NARCON, I am headed to the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO. Besides getting a chance to catch up with old friends from Estes and Apogee, I will be busy talking to customers about the Lockheed Martin/ATK Athena Ic, Athena IIc, and the newly announced Athena III launch vehicles.

Matt

More good tests!

2012-03-19T21:49:00.002-06:00

Just got back from another Arizona test session. Dodged the massive snow in Flagstaff by going through Las Vegas.

Got some good test flights in and some great photos from Moe Bertrand. The Archer is ready to go into final production.

The ThunderCat is a different story. Geoffrey Kerbel, my master builder, and I each built different versions of the kit. That's what you get when you just give someone parts without instructions! . Anyways, I didn't like the version I built, but did like certain aspects of what he did (including an interesting twist), so the bird is going back to the drawing board with the best of both versions.

I am targeting an introductory sale of the first three kits, plus a new display stand, for NARCON. There is also a big announcement about distribution pending.

Matt

Getting closer!

2012-03-01T18:11:00.003-07:00

Things are getting closer to launch. I have had two test sessions in the Arizona desert, and another one scheduled for March.

The SR99 kit flew well in test flights, but we ran into a snag when my builders got it. Despite using a few different techniques, we could not get the ramjet pods properly aligned. As a result, I ended up designing an assembly jig to help everything line up properly. The revised jig and kit instructions will go into final beta testing next week.

I also think I have finalized my approach to decals. I am pretty excited about it, and should get the test samples back soon.

I am hoping to debit the kits at NARCON (if my work schedule permits!)

Matt

January 2012 Update

2012-01-09T18:47:00.002-07:00

I just got back from Arizona, where I did some test flying of the newest North Coast Rocketry kit, the SR-99 HyperSwift. Based on feedback from my beta-testers, I am going to make some improvements to the kit instructions before its release. I am shooting for a early February release, but we'll see. Setting things back up has taken longer than I anticipated.

The website is in work - should debut about the same time as the new kits.

All kits will be new - no re-issues, at least not in their original form. There will be some clear derivatives, though.

Plan packs are also in work. They will include instructions, decal masters, fin patterns and a parts cross-reference, so there should be enough information to build a clone if you wish.

Matt

Jan 2012 Update

2012-01-04T19:53:00.002-07:00

Announcing the return of North Coast Rocketry!

2011-10-11T15:10:00.002-06:00

North Coast is coming back!

I am going to use this blog to keep everyone updated until the website is fully up and running.

Things are running a little late, from what I had originally announced at NARAM this year. Between Darrell Mobley's untimely passing, and my employer sending me to Europe, I have run short of time to hit the Oct 1 date.

Things are coming along, though. I made some tweaks to the first set of lasercut parts. I should be seeing the revised parts soon. Got a couple of other things to chase down as well, but it is coming together.

I'm going to do a two-phase approach. I am going to make many of the plans/fin patterns/decal masters for the old NCR kits available as "Plan Packs", all available for digital download. Kinda like iTunes, they will likely be $1.99 each. If you want to scratch-build them, these packs should contain enough information to clone most of the kits. Some of the kits that had custom molded parts (Space Shuttle, Avatar, Juno-1, etc.) will require a little more effort to duplicate, but the plans will be out there, for those who are interested.

All of the kits to be released will be new designs. Some will have the a "flavor" of the old kits (such as the "Lance Delta") but everything will be updated to reflect the best that I can offer for 2012.

Other kit names that are coming (though most will not mean anything until you see the photos) are:
SR-99 Hyperswift
Argo D4 Javelin sport scale
Mighty Kat (a BP cluster kit similar to, but not the same as the Phoenix Rocketry kit by the same name)
SA-14 Archer Mk 3 (2.6" diameter)
Starship Equinox
Laserhawk

The kits will be offered in 3 versions -
Basic (no parachute)
Standard (parachute)
Deluxe (parachute, display stand, rail buttons, motor retainer).
That way you can pick what version you want.

A couple of new contest birds will also make an appearance, too.

Watch this space for more info.

Matt