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, me hearties, me hearties, "fantasy scale" rocket, usin' a ring-fin for stability.

Construction:
T' kit arrived with all t' necessary parts included, arrr, me hearties, and in good shape. Well, blow me down! T' balsa and t' tubes appear t' be identical t' Estes parts. Blimey! T' nose cone and centerin' rings, arrr, me bucko, however, me bucko, I found t' be sub-standard. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' centerin' rings were very thin and flimsy- I used them, but reinforced them with bits o' Balsa t' strengthen them. 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, ya bilge rat, and other companies. Blimey! T' parts all went together easily enough, me bucko, but t' rin' tail gave me some trouble. Ahoy! Well, matey, blow me down! T' span o' t' fins be just a bit too short, so I wound up havin' t' hold t' rin' in place while t' glue dried. Blimey! T' rest o' t' kit be very straight-forward. Arrr! Arrr! T' finished product is a smart-lookin' Man-O-War. Well, matey, blow me down! 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. Avast! Prime, spray t' whole Man-O-War white, and paint t' nose red. Aye aye! After that, arrr, t' decals go on. Aye aye! I haven't put t' decals on mine just yet, I got distracted with some other projects, arrr, shiver me timbers, and t' rocket looks good enough without them! Overall, shiver me timbers, I'm givin' a ratin' o' 3 for construction/finishing. Arrr! T' score would be much higher if t' centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, which I consider a safety issue, were made o' sturdier stuff. 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, matey, matey, both very successful. Begad! T' first nearly ended up in a tree, me hearties, but be recovered. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' second resulted in a short hike, but be otherwise uneventful. Arrr! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Both flights were on C6-3's.

Recovery:
This is a very light rocket for t' size o' chute that was included. Avast! Well, me hearties, blow me down! I opted t' cut a spill hole in it, me hearties, even before t' first flight. Aye aye! Arrr! It still drifts considerably. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I'd enlarge t' spill hole, 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, unique Man-O-War. Begad! Blimey! T' quality o' materials has room for improvement, but t' design itself seems well thought-out.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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