Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7
Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7 Straight
Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7 Packaging
Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7 Angled
Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7 Flame
Parachute
Launch and Recovery

Mercury Redstone 4/ Liberty Bell 7

SKU: 001921
$34.99
Sale
Advanced

Relive the dawn of human spaceflight with the Estes Mercury Redstone! This impressive 1:34 scale model of the historic launch vehicle that carried America’s first astronauts is more than just a rocket—it's a hands-on history lesson.

With its realistic detailing and launch-ready design, the Mercury Redstone delivers powerful STEM learning opportunities for the classroom, camp, or club.

  • SKILL LEVEL: Advanced
  • RECOMMENDED ENGINES: C5-3, C6-3
  • PROJECTED ALTITUDE: 200 ft. (61 m)

What You Need to Fly

In The Classroom

The Mercury Redstone is a tribute to the rocket that launched NASA's first crewed missions—Alan Shepard’s Freedom 7 and Gus Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7. Now, your students can build, launch, and explore this pivotal piece of space history with an engaging, hands-on model. From its detailed Mercury capsule to its classic black-and-white livery, this 1:34 scale replica is perfect for educators who want to connect aerospace engineering with real-world events and inspire the next generation of explorers.

Authentic Design Meets Educational Impact

This advanced kit challenges students with a rewarding build that strengthens fine motor skills, introduces model construction techniques, and deepens their understanding of rocketry and aerodynamics. Its precision-molded parts and historical accuracy make it an excellent teaching tool for topics like propulsion, stability, Newton’s Laws, and the evolution of spaceflight. Ideal for middle and high school STEM programs, rocketry clubs, or advanced summer camps.

Launch-Ready Learning

When paired with recommended engines (sold separately), the Mercury Redstone soars up to 200 feet, offering a dramatic demonstration of rocket performance and recovery. Its parachute recovery system ensures safe returns and repeatable flights, making it a reliable choice for launching multiple missions throughout a semester or program cycle. Whether flying in a field or displayed in the classroom, this rocket engages learners like no textbook can.

Perfect for Project-Based Learning

From team builds and mission simulations to cross-curricular integration with history, physics, and engineering, the Mercury Redstone supports a wide range of educational goals. Incorporate it into your curriculum as a capstone project or use it as a visual aid to elevate your unit on the Space Race. Estes Educator resources and bulk ordering options make it easy to bring this iconic rocket to your entire class.

What You Need To Build (Not Included)

  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Fine sandpaper
  • Carpenter's glue
  • Plastic cement
  • Weight
  • Hobby knife
  • Primer (white)
  • Paint (black)
  • Clear coat (optional)

What You Need To Launch (Not Included)

Estes-LP2-06

Live, Online Training and 1:1 Support

Estes Education has been a leader in STEM education for over 60 years. We know that STEM is a vital interdisciplinary topic that requires hands-on and inclusive learning. Explore these supporting materials to take learning to new heights!

Should you have need, you can meet with a member of Education team for FREE, 1:1 online support to learn rocketry basics, how to apply our curriculum, and discover unique teaching strategies. Our team is eager to answer your questions!

Technical Specifications

Advanced
  • Recommended Engines

C5-3, C6-3
  • Launch System

Porta-Pad II
  • Projected Max Altitude

200 ft. (61 m)
  • Recovery System

15 in. (38.1 cm) Parachute
  • Length

28.6 in. (72.6 cm)
  • Diameter

2.05 in. (52 mm)
  • Weight

3.7 oz. (104.9 g)
  • Fin Material

Laser Cut Balsa Wood

Technical Specifications

This product recommended for children ages 10+ with adult supervision for those under 12, and rocketeers of all ages.

Learn About Model Rocket Safety!

Not sure how to safely launch a rocket with your group? Head over to our dedicated Safety instructions page for videos, support, and more!
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Customer Reviews

Based on 25 reviews
56%
(14)
16%
(4)
20%
(5)
4%
(1)
4%
(1)
W
Wes Wisse (Bridgton, ME)
Mercury Redstone

Escape tower is not uniform. Quality compared to the Saturn 1B is half that.

T
Thomas Gustin (Round Lake, IL)
Love it!!

Can't wait to put it together!!!

C
Cloud Mike (Camarillo, CA)
A True Builder’s Rocket: Challenging, Classic, and Deeply Rewarding

I absolutely love this rocket and am incredibly grateful that Estes continues to manufacture it. The Mercury Redstone has been part of the Estes lineup for decades, and the fact that it’s still available today speaks volumes. For those of us who admire the history of spaceflight, it’s a treat to be able to build a rocket so deeply rooted in our space heritage.

That said, this is a fairly challenging build, especially when it comes to the capsule and escape tower — the plastic parts don’t fit together as cleanly as I would’ve liked, and they require a bit of finesse to assemble. The paint job is also tricky, particularly the black and white color transitions, which demand careful masking and patience.

On the upside, the price point is excellent. There’s even room for customization — whether it’s upgrading the parachute or adding personal touches to the capsule.

Room for improvement:

The instructions feel a bit outdated. They don’t fully explain the color schemes, and there are inconsistencies between the instructions and reference materials. Like many scale kits, it would be great if Estes included tips that experienced builders often share, such as sealing fins after sanding, pre-painting certain parts, adding a capsule window, or improving decal placement accuracy.

Final Thoughts:

Despite the challenges, this is hands-down one of my top three favorite Estes builds. The complexity actually made the process more rewarding, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a build that’s both nostalgic and satisfying. Bravo, Estes — and please never stop making this one.