Hello All,

Rick Piester found some early Akela-1 photographs (including a shot of himself with the first one), and he has graciously allowed me to share them here on "Ye Olde Rocket Forum." They are attached below. The first Akela-1 (in the black-and-white photo) had, according to his description from memory, blue fins and a Cub yellow nose cone. The body tube looks white. This picture is from a photo collage that his mother gave to him several years ago. He thinks it may have been shot by a professional photographer for the September 1973 "Boys' Life" article (but didn't get used) or that it might have been taken for Centuri promotional literature.

The other pictures are Akela-1 marketing photos from his father's archives and pictures that Rick took of an Akela-1 Rocket Derby Den Pack kit that he found in his father's archives. Due to the number of photos, I am posting them in two (2) messages. Without further ado, I invite you all to scroll down and feast your eyes on history!

Attached Thumbnails

         

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