DynaStar Stonebreaker

DynaStar - Stonebreaker {Kit} (05028) [?-]

Contributed by Mark Thompson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 2.22 inches
Length: 28.50 inches
Manufacturer: DynaStar
Skill Level: 2
Style: Military
Rocket Pic

Brief:
T' Dynastar Stonebreaker is a mid-power kit o' an imaginary missile defense rocket designed t' protect t' earth from wayward asteroids or comets. Begad! Arrr! The airframe is simple and light.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

  • BT- 56mm x 18 in.
  • Fins- 3 main, 3 strakes (die cut)
  • MMT- 24mm x 3.75 in.
  • Shock cord - 8 ft. 300# Keelhaul®©™®
  • Parachute- 32 in. Arrr! plastic canopy
  • NC-5:1 56mm plastic
  • decal sheet (peel and stick)
  • Lug- 1/4 in. x 3 in.

Pros:

This kit be very easy t' build. T' instructions are well written with illustrations makin' clear any steps that might need more "visual" explanation. Begad! All die-cut parts fit well and t' die cuttin' o' t' fins and strakes was crisp. Avast! T' end result is a straight forward, me bucko, arrr, light airframe that should fly extremely well. Arrr! If you can build just about any Estes kit then the Stonebreaker will pose no problems for you.

Cons:

None found durin' construction.

Finishing:
Pros:

T' suggested scheme is quite easily duplicated with a minimum o' priming, filling, and paint. Begad! T' decals give t' military look without bein' gaudy. Perhaps a coat o' clear would help blend t' decals a bit. I build t' fly and so don't worry too much with fillin' BT spirals. Ahoy! Avast! Blimey! That bein' said t' spiral(s) are shallow and probably wouldn't pose too much problem t' eliminate. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' final look does t' job for me. Blimey! Bein' an imagined missile rather than a scale one you are at liberty t' decorate t' taste.

Cons:

Decals are shiny and nay really "military" looking.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Recommended Motors:

  • C11-3 Estes 289 feet
  • D12-5 Estes 639 feet
  • E6-6 Apogee 1834 feet
  • E9-6 Estes 1293 feet
  • E15-7 Aerotech 1612 feet
  • E30-7 Aerotech 1541 feet
  • F21-8 Aerotech 1999 feet

I've had this rocket for some time before findin' this site so t' first flights are from last fall. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Motor retention is o' t' tried and true masking tape variety. Begad! T' motor block is glued in t' t' size motor you decide you're goin' t' use most often. I set mine at 2 3/4 in for t' Estes D size motors. T' first flights were on Estes D12-5's and guesstimates put t' altitude at about 650 feet. Since then I've flown on me local small field with C11-3's that reached about 300-350 feet. Aye aye! All flights have been arrow straight. Ahoy! This kit builds light and it jumps off t' pad even with t' C motor. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Estimated altitude on an F21-8 is practically 2,000 feet and I believe that estimate. Blimey! Well, blow me down! I hope to try out some RMS motors in t' near future.

Recovery:
T' Stonebreaker uses a very long Keelhaul®©™® shock cord (8 feet) that is attached t' t' motor block. Well, blow me down! Perhaps t' one thing really worth changin' be t' parachute. It is way too big for this rocket, especially given t' altitudes that are easily within reach. Kiss this baby goodbye if you attempt t' recover with t' stock 'chute on a big motor. I've used a spare 18" parachute that has successfully launched and recovered several times now.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Dynastar Stonebreaker is a very easy and fun build. A long weekend is more than enough t' get this thin' all put together. Arrr! I feel that anyone competent enough build just about any Estes kit will have no problems with this rocket. T' supplied parachute works fine but you will want t' use somethin' smaller unless you really like walkin' or climbin' trees. Ya scallywag! It flies true and fast even on lower powered motors. I can't wait t' pack an F into this thin' and watch it disappear into t' wild blue yonder!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

Comments:

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A.K.S. (September 2, 2005)
My Stonebreaker is the same color scheme as the authors'. I agree that the chute may be a bit large. One can always make a larger spill hole. I lacquered mine and stuck a snap clip on the shock cord so I can change chutes quickly. The snap clip is a chromed unit like one sees on the end of chain dog leashes. It adds a bit of weight but I tape it on the back of the nosecone for a bit of needed nose weight. With the short moment arm the model may be a bit tail heavy. Have made some great flights albeit in the wind with 10 degrees of declination and an E9-4. You have to be careful of the angle as with body tube is thin walled. Could be some serious zipper potential here. I did get a 3mm zipper that is not noticeable on one flight. An E9-6 should be O.K.for 0 degrees on the rod. I use some Nomex® gauze and a little dog barf and a 24" Spherachute. 18" should be O.K. too but again, my ship is a little heavy. Nice model that gives great flights.
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T.J.G. (March 31, 2006)
Agree with the review. Kit was a pleasure to build and exciting to fly. Agree that the large parachute will keep the model in the air for quite some time - beware of winds if using kit parachute.
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K.C.Y. (June 17, 2007)
The Stonebreaker is a great kit. I modified the nosecone by adding sequenced colored LEDs around the base of the nosecone, an LED at the tip of the nosecone, and a 9v circuit to drive them. The electronics add a couple ounces of nose weight (a good thing for this kit) and all fit inside the nosecone with a custom bulkhead and power switch. I did this of course for night flying. Although wind was too much for nite flying at our last launch, it has flown 2 most excellent day flights on Aerotech F39-6 RMS motors. I agree with the 'chute change. I use 18" Topflight nylon chutes and recover close to the pad.

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