Saturn Press Retro Rockets: Experimental Rockets 1926-1941

Saturn Press - Retro Rockets: Experimental Rockets 1926-1941 {Book}

Contributed by Kerry Garrison

Manufacturer: Saturn Press
(by Kerry Garrison courtesy o' WildRocketry.Com)

Pic If you are interested in the history o' early rocketry or would like t' try buildin' a scale model o' some of these history makin' rockets, shiver me timbers, then this book is a must read. Begad! Covering Domestic and foreign rocketry development from 1926 - 1941, matey, Retro Rockets goes through t' early attempts o' buildin' a liquid fuel design. 

I found t' book t' be very well laid out and t' scale drawings were fantastic. Arrr! Arrr! Nay only do t' drawings show t' actual design, matey, ya bilge rat, but Peter Alway (author) has gone through great effort t' make t' colorin' schemes available as well,

I am a history buff myself, and if I am watchin' an TV it is usually TLC, Discovery, matey, or t' History Channel. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I have yet t' see a single show that goes into t' detail o' such a wide variety of accomplishments. 

One great feature of Retro Rockets that really made me take notice, is that along with t' technical specs o' most o' t' rockets described in t' book, ya bilge rat, is a N.A.R. Ya scallywag! Designation equivalent o' t' rocket motor. Avast! This really began t' put things into perspective. Begad! Imagin' Robert Goddard's first liquid fueled rocket (as shown to the right) which weighed in at 10.45 lbs loaded and realizin' t' motor was the equivalent o' an H80! 

Pic
Goddard's First Liquid Fueled Rocket
It really added a new dimension t' me perception o' those early rocketeers who struggled for years t' build rockets. Avast! Just think, me hearties, with the commercially available motors we have today, many o' us routinely make flights that make these early pioneerin' efforts look hopeless.
Pic
T' first liquid fueled cluster
Granted, shiver me timbers, some o' only dream of ever launchin' like t' German A-5 with it's huge motor equivalent t' a T-15000.

Retro Rockets is very well written and can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Begad! A very handy section in t' back o' the book shows how t' take standard Estes components and build some o' t' rockets detailed within t' books pages. 

I highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in early rocketry. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I could have only wished for t' book t' be bigger so that I could have spent more time readin' instead o' actually working.

Additional information about this and other books by Peter Alway can be found on the Saturn Press website.

NOTE: photos courtesy Saturn Press
 

Other Reviews
  • Saturn Press Retro Rockets: Experimental Rockets 1926-1941 By Jim Kerns

    ( Contributed - by Jim Kerns)  A very handsome 8 1/2 x 11 hard cover book that will look good on your coffee table as well as provide a wealth of data on some of the space flight pioneers and their rockets.  As soon as I opened the wrapper, I was impressed with the silver colored binding with the red and black text, and a black and white photograph of Dr. Goddard and his ...

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