Diameter: | 0.98 inches |
Length: | 9.65 inches |
Manufacturer: | Custom Rockets ![]() |
Skill Level: | 1 |
Style: | Futuristic/Exotic |
Brief:
Futuristic transport design for 18mm motors and parachute recovery.
Construction:
T' kit includes 1 body tube, shiver me timbers, 1 motor mount, arrr, 4 die cut balsa pieces, a plastic
nose cone and a 12 inch parachute kit. Avast! Blimey! It also had a 1/8" launch lug and
elastic shock cord.
I bought this kit t' have somethin' t' build while t' glue dried on one of my other projects. Begad! Blimey! As I put it together though, I couldn't wait t' get it finished and fly it! Blimey!
T' instructions are typical for Custom kits, shiver me timbers, well laid out and with good illustrations for each step. One o' t' things I like about t' Custom instructions is they provide a template for fin alignment in t' instructions that you don't have t' cut out and tape around t' BT like in Estes kits. Ahoy! You drop t' tube onto t' drawin' and mark t' fin locations from that. Then run the line down t' length you need with a door jamb. Aye aye! Easy and quick. Begad!
Take care when cuttin' t' die cut fins from t' balsa blank.. Begad! Ya scallywag! thar are some small 90 degree cuts that you want t' make sure stay together. Aye aye! T' balsa in me kit be a little dry and t' die cuttin' wasn't as sharp as I've seen in other models. Aye aye! You will most likely need t' fill t' joint o' t' wings and the tips t' get a nice smooth, flat surface. Avast, me proud beauty! I kinda cheated here and used the decals t' cover up t' joint.
Finishing:
T' suggested paint scheme is pretty slick. T' water-slide decals included
with t' kit are great and add a lot t' t' design.
Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5
Flight:
I can only give you t' info from one flight due t' t' efforts o' one large,
rocket-eatin' tree. Ya scallywag! For t' first flight I used an A8-3 because t' flying
field be kinda small. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I folded t' plastic chute, me hearties, used three squares of
waddin' and loaded it all up. Well, blow me down! T' boost was straight and much higher than I
thought it would be. Begad! Aye aye! Nothin' like a small light rocket on an A engine. Aye aye! The
recommended motors go up t' a C6-5, ya bilge rat, me hearties, but if you use one, ya bilge rat, you better have some
sharp-eyed folks and a charge o' trackin' powder t' help you find it. Aye aye! Aye aye!
Recovery:
T' 'chute came out fine and t' rocket started t' drift downrange.. Arrr! Aye aye! right into
the top o' a 75' tall tree. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! DRAT! I would have liked t' have gotten this one
back because it is such a neat lookin' and high flyin' rocket. Avast, me proud beauty!
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
PRO's: Slick looks and ease o' construction. Avast, me proud beauty! A great flyer. CON's: T' die
cuttin' was a little rough in me kit. Aye aye! Begad! Since I'll have t' get another one.. Well, blow me down! Avast! I'll
compare and post a follow up.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
The TriStar is a single stage rocket with a futuristic passenger rocket design using parachute recovery. I built this rocket for my nephew to fly at a recent family launch, but my nephew crushed it before it got the chance to see it's first flight. I repaired it as well as I could, didn't care for the results, and set it aside for two months. I found it sitting looking dejected today ...
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Sponsored Ads
![]() |
![]() |
K.R.J. (July 1, 2001)