Custom Rockets Satellite Drone

Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone {Kit} (10022)

Contributed by Kevin Drayson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Length: 17.75 inches
Manufacturer: Custom Rockets
Skill Level: 3
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

[Picture]Brief:
This kit is a single stage, arrr, "fantasy scale" rocket, shiver me timbers, usin' a ring-fin for stability.

Construction:
T' kit arrived with all t' necessary parts included, shiver me timbers, arrr, and in good shape. Arrr! Arrr! T' balsa and t' tubes appear t' be identical t' Estes parts. Avast! T' nose cone and centerin' rings, however, shiver me timbers, I found t' be sub-standard. Ya scallywag! T' centerin' rings were very thin and flimsy- I used them, matey, but reinforced them with bits o' Balsa t' strengthen them. Begad! I'd be frightened t' fly this thin' without this mod! T' nose cone appears t' be sone cheap plastic, nay t' higher-quality stuff I'm used t' from Estes, TLP, and other companies. Blimey! Well, blow me down! T' parts all went together easily enough, but t' rin' tail gave me some trouble. T' span o' t' fins be just a bit too short, ya bilge rat, so I wound up havin' t' hold t' rin' in place while t' glue dried. Ya scallywag! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' rest o' t' kit was very straight-forward. T' finished product is a smart-lookin' ship. Begad! T' narrow fins that go on just ahead o' t' rin' are pretty fragile, but t' rest is solid enough.

Finishing:
Paintin' t' kit is simple enough. Prime, spray t' whole ship white, and paint t' nose red. Ya scallywag! Blimey! After that, t' decals go on. Ahoy! Begad! I haven't put t' decals on mine just yet, matey, me bucko, I got distracted with some other projects, and t' rocket looks good enough without them! Overall, I'm givin' a ratin' o' 3 for construction/finishing. Avast, me proud beauty! T' score would be much higher if t' centerin' rings, which I consider a safety issue, were made o' sturdier stuff. Avast, me proud beauty! T' poorly-fittin' ring/fin arrangement costs them as well.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
I've had two flights on me Satellite Drone so far, me hearties, both very successful. T' first nearly ended up in a tree, me hearties, shiver me timbers, but be recovered. Ya scallywag! T' second resulted in a short hike, but be otherwise uneventful. Both flights were on C6-3's.

Recovery:
This is a very light rocket for t' size o' chute that was included. I opted t' cut a spill hole in it, me bucko, even before t' first flight. Begad! Aye aye! It still drifts considerably. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I'd enlarge t' spill hole, me hearties, me bucko, but I'm worried about breakin' those narrow forward fins.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' final product is a very nice looking, me hearties, matey, unique ship. T' quality o' materials has room for improvement, matey, matey, but t' design itself seems well thought-out.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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