Estes HyperX

Estes - Hyper-X {Kit} (1804)

Contributed by Steve Terrell

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes
Style: Helicopter, RTF

Rocket PicBrief:
T' HyperX is an "Ready t' Fly" (RTF) that has a nose cone that comes down as a helicopter. T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.

Construction:
T' HyperX, shiver me timbers, on t' outside, arrr, shiver me timbers, is a basic 4FNC rocket. Pullin' t' nose cone out reveals three blades attached t' t' nose cone. Aye aye! Blimey! Each blade is about 4 inches long. T' motor mount uses a retainer rin' instead o' t' usual Estes motor retainer clip. Ya scallywag! Due t' t' length o' t' blades, arrr, t' shock cord is mounted WAY down t' body tube.

Since this is an RTF, me bucko, thar be very little construction. Ya scallywag! Even t' chute was preassembled and attached t' t' shock cord. Well, blow me down! T' only assembly required be t' attach rubber bands t' t' nose cone blades. Avast! T' rubber bands provide t' tension necessary t' unfurl t' blades after t' nose cone has been ejected from t' body tube. Ya scallywag! T' fin unit/motor mount is molded plastic. While it is no fun for modelin' purposes, t' plastic is very durable and can withstand hard impacts. T' same applies t' t' plastic nose cone. T' "launch lug" is a molded piece o' plastic, with two rings t' guide t' launch rod. Avast! One major drawback t' t' construction be t' very slender shock cord mount (probably 1/8"). Blimey! Like I said, shiver me timbers, me hearties, t' shock cord is mounted very deep into t' body tube t' give t' nose cone fins some room. Avast, me proud beauty! This places it closer t' t' engine's ejection gases. Arrr! Avast! No doubt this shock cord is goin' t' be burned off soon. Avast, me proud beauty! Remountin' t' shock cord at t' same depth might be tricky.

Finishing:
No finishin' necessary.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
Recommended motors are t' B4-2, B6-2/4, and t' C6-3. Aye aye! I used t' fins on t' nose cone t' pack t' recovery waddin' as far as possible into t' body tube. Avast! T' parachute and shock cord were then put into t' tube. Ya scallywag! Arrr! T' nose cone blades were collapsed, me bucko, and t' nose cone slid easily into place. Avast! T' motor retainer rin' twisted off easily, me bucko, arrr, t' motor was inserted, me hearties, and t' retainer rin' twisted securely on. Begad! T' first flight was on a B6-2. Well, blow me down! Shortly after leavin' t' launch pad, shiver me timbers, t' rocket took off on a 45 degree angle. Begad! It probably didn't get more than 100' off o' t' ground. Begad! T' ejection charge kicked in, and t' nose separated. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' nose dropped like a rock for about 15 feet before t' blades kicked in. T' nose cone's descent rate be pretty slow, me hearties, and on a windy day it will definitely drift quite a bit. Arrr! T' body tube came down rather smartly on a 12" chute. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! T' second and third flights were better, also on B6-2s, shiver me timbers, but nay straight up. Ya scallywag! T' HyperX flies each time like it is weathercocking, except that it does nay necessary point into t' wind. Each time t' nose cone drifted a lot. This is definitely nay a rocket t' fly on a windy day. It's also a fairly heavy rocket, so t' flights are nay that high. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Launch it on a C if you have t' room t' recover t' nose cone unit. Aye aye! Still, t' helicopter recovery makes this a fun rocket t' fly. Ahoy! It is one o' me son's favorite rockets t' watch.

Recovery:
Like I said, arrr, t' nose does drift quite a bit. Well, blow me down! But after several flights, shiver me timbers, t' only noticeable wear be t' typical scorch marks on t' shock cord.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
T' HyperX is nay a great flyin' rocket, but it is a lot o' fun, ya bilge rat, especially for kids. Blimey! Blimey! It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. Begad! Blimey! T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! T' biggest con is that is is an RTF! Blimey! This would have made a great kit.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

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