Rocketry Planet

LAS VEGAS, Nevada USA — Scott Ulrey of Just Rockets announced today that he has completed negotiations with Matt Steele, purchasing the rights to the entirety of North Coast Rockets, although they do not foresee the re-release of any NCR kits until at least the third or fourth quarter of this year.

North Coast Rocketry, also known as NCR, was a model rocket company founded in Ohio by Chris Pearson and Matt Steele in the mid-80's, with Dan Kafun added as a partner in 1989. NCR marketed their own line of high power rockets and introduced some innovative ideas and designs that were considered cutting edge for their time.

Steele and Pearson on the cover of the 1986 NCR catalog.

To suppliment their product line, NCR was a dealer for Aerotech and Vulcan motors in the mid-to-late 80s, and sold a limited selection of NCR-branded single-use motors in mid 80's called "North Coasters." The North Coaster motors were manufactured by Aerotech under a special agreement with NCR, who had sole distribution rights. The motors were shipped to NCR with no end caps or labels, where final processing was conducted by their employees. The North Coasters motor line was made up of a 24mm E28, a 24mm F41 and a 29mm G60 motor, and were phased out in late 1987 due to supply issues.

North Coast Rocketry was sold to Estes Industries in the mid 90's and served as their mid-to-high power model rocketry division. Estes changed NCR's motor technology to the more common industry-standard ammonium-perchlorate-based composite propellant. All of the Estes variants used DarkStar motors, which were known for their dark black smoke trail. These motors were made specifically for NCR rockets and were slightly smaller in diameter than other company's motors, and featured a molded aft thrust ring. Estes discontinued the NCR line of rockets and other products in 2000.

Ulrey indicated that it would be later this year before the consumer would be able to see the benefit of the deal. "We do not anticipate the release of any NCR kits until later in the year," Ulrey said. "Third or fourth quarter. There is a lot of work to do with retooling, etc."

More information will be available in the near future on the company's yet-to-be released website.

Website: http://www.northcoastrocketry.com/

Reader comments:

#1 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback with new ownership

I cut my teeth on some of the NCR by Estes, and I own an unfinished BrightHawk 2000. I am so glad they are bringing back the original line-up!!!

Johnnie

Johnnie on 01-14-2008 04:21 PM

#2 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback

Great!

My first high power rocket was a NCR by Estes "Big Brute" modified to take Aerotech motors. I've always wished that I could have flown more of their designs.

Ken Holloway
NAR #78336
L-II

kgholloway on 01-14-2008 04:44 PM

#3 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback with new ownership

The website link is currently "parked"...

Looking forward to their lineup! I did my L1 on an NCR by Estes Archer, and it remains one of my favourites. I cloned it (same dimensions) a few years back, with a 54mm motor mount - great flyer on a J210!

CF-105 on 01-14-2008 05:04 PM

#4 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback with new ownership

Quote:

The website link is currently "parked"...

Thus sayeth the article...

"More information will be available in the near future on the company's yet-to-be released website."

ddmobley on 01-14-2008 06:08 PM

#5 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback with new ownership

I just want them to rerelease the pre-LDRS catalog where they stated wayyy long delays. That was a gem in the history of HPR.

Just Jerry

Just Jerry on 01-14-2008 06:11 PM

#6 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback with new ownership

It's nice to see them come back. My level one rocket was a Phantom 2000 beefed up just a little. My Big Brute ended up as Mr Pumpkin Head after several crashes. I even still have an Interceptor G and Bomarc still shrink wrapped. My Lance Beta crashed and about the only flying model I have left flyable except the two boxed one's is a Interceptor G which is retired except for special launches. Just hope they bring back them all, they were great rockets at that time and still are.

William

WillCarney on 01-15-2008 09:26 AM

#7 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback with new ownership

You can find scans of the old catalogs here--

http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/rockets/NCRcats.html

From what I can make of this, the Estes-NCR will not be brought back. Correct me if I am wrong (my wife never misses a chance at this) but that would be from 1995 through 1998. Apparently Matt Steele is working with Scott in this venture. They had some awesome kits, now if they would just release them at the original price, yeah right!

The rocket ladies are something else too. I was expecting to hear the Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever in the background. Big hair goes with big rockets?

T

tbrogan on 01-15-2008 10:42 AM

#8 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback with new ownership

Quote:

From what I can make of this, the Estes-NCR will not be brought back. Correct me if I am wrong (my wife never misses a chance at this) but that would be from 1995 through 1998.

But your wife doesn't often say, "You are correct!"

Estes licensed product rights from North Coast Rocketry from 1995 to 1998; the Just Rockets line of NCR products will be those that were not co-developed during the "NCR by Estes" years. So, you won't be seeing the DarkStar motors, Laserfire igniters, the Interceptor G, the Maxi-X Wing, or the never-released Orbit.

ddmobley on 01-15-2008 11:50 AM

#9 Re: North Coast Rocketry to make comeback with new ownership

Too bad about the Interceptor G. I have one flyable and one in the original box. Nice rocket. Still, it will be nice to see some of the other's come back.

William

WillCarney on 01-15-2008 12:06 PM

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