Estes Bandit

Estes - Bandit {Kit} (1231) [2002-2003]

Contributed by Tony Fragge

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes

Rocket PicBrief:
T' Estes E2X Bandit rocket kit is a good one for a beginner, which is what I be when I found t' kit.

Construction:
T' kit comes with a pre-slotted and pre-colored body tube, plastic nose cone, plastic motor mount assembly and plastic fins. Blimey! T' shock cord be typical Estes (short) and was t' be attached t' a 12-inch parachute.

T' instructions are very clear and simple t' follow. Ahoy! If you had assembled a handful o' rockets prior t' this one you probably would nay need t' instructions. Glue and a knife were t' only tools required. Once t' motor mount assembly be completed, it aligned with t' precut slots for easy fin attachment. Blimey! Ya scallywag! T' only thin' I wish I would have known about up front was that t' through t' body tube exterior shock cord mount has its problems. Blimey! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I would have used t' traditional tri-fold shock cord mountin' procedure had I known better (which I did when I had t' replace t' nose cone and parachute later on).

Finishing:
T' kit did nay require any painting; all you need t' do is apply t' decals. Ya scallywag! Begad! At t' time I did nay know that dippin' t' decal in soap and water could make application much easier, but I be successful despite me ignorance. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! Once completed it looked pretty cool.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' rocket will fly on anythin' from an A8-3 t' a C6-5. Bein' an obedient rocketeer, me hearties, I followed t' directions and used an A8-3 for t' first flight as recommended by t' manufacturer. Blimey! Everythin' went as planned. Avast, me proud beauty! My second flight was a B6-4. Avast! Both flights were nice and straight. Well, blow me down! T' third flight on a B6-4 went well until ejection. T' shock cord had burnt through at t' hole in body tube and I watched t' parachute and nose cone drift off into t' distance. Ya scallywag! T' body tube tumbled t' t' ground with no damage. Well, blow me down! I replaced t' nose cone and shock cord and have flown it since. Aye aye! Arrr! T' rocket really scoots on a C6-5.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
I would recommend this kit for any beginner. Avast! Blimey! It is easy t' assemble and looks good when completed.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

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