Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Brief:
T' Estes Cosmos Mariner is a 1:67 scale version o' t' Lone Star Space Access
team rocket plane for t' X-Prize. It is a single stage D12-3 power glider with
pop-pod on 18" parachute recovery.
Construction:
1 main body tube with 24mm pop-pod insert. Ahoy! T' pop-pod have centerin' rings
that fit t' body tube and 4 heavy washers for nose weight on boost. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Flat wing
glider is made from 6 laser cut win' panels. Begad! Well, blow me down! There are also 4 fins (rudders).
T' rest o' t' body is made from two large vacuumed form sheets o' plastic.
There are three display engine nozzles that come off for flight.
T' instructions are easy t' follow and t' illustrations are good. You must have a good flat surface t' build t' wing. T' win' consists o' 6 large sections o' balsa, 3 for each half o' t' glider wing. Aye aye! Blimey! It is very important to have all pieces glue together flat. Blimey! T' hardest part was gluin' on t' two vacuum form body sections. Arrr! T' body sections didn't fit t' assembly well. Ya scallywag! Arrr! The instructions call for usin' a silicon adhesive. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! I used GE Silicone II. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! You have to wipe away any excess glue as you cannot sand it later. Arrr! I was nay impressed with t' glue joint. Begad! If I had t' do it again, arrr, I would use a thick super glue for plastics.
Finishing:
No special requirements for finishing. Aye aye! T' balsa wings need a lot o' sanding
sealer t' get smooth. Blimey! Well, blow me down! T' paint scheme is easy. Blimey! There are a few stick on type
decals.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
T' only recommended motor be t' D12-3. Ahoy! Avast! T' model boosts nicely with a slow
roll durin' boost. Aye aye! It is important when flyin' t' make sure that t' elastic
that pops up one elevator is attached well and when t' pop-pod is inserted,
the movable elevator is facin' t' opposite direction o' t' glued on elevator.
This is what rolls t' model durin' boost. Once t' pop-pod ejects, t' movable
elevator pops up t' get t' plane into glide configuration. Ahoy! This glider is hard
to balance. Aye aye! Even with glider at t' specified balanced point, shiver me timbers, t' glider stills
stalls in flight. Ya scallywag! It is hard t' test glide it since it a fairly heavy glider.
It will take quite a few flights t' trim out t' glider. Ya scallywag! One person mentioned
to me that even though it be stalling, shiver me timbers, it was one o' t' best glides he seen
out o' this kit.
Recovery:
I flew this model as a entry in SF/FF event at NARAM 48. Well, blow me down! On t' first flight,
the parachute on t' pop-pod got tangled in t' wire hook on t' back o' the
pop-pod and never really opened, so it came streamin' into t' ground. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' RSO
DQed t' flight as unsafe. Arrr! T' pop-pod with all those washer is very heavy, me bucko, so
it is important safety wise t' make sure t' chute will always open. Begad! Blimey! On the
second flight, matey, I got rid o' t' Estes supplied chute and use a nylon chute of
the same size. Blimey! I also shortened t' shroud lines and taped them t' t' pop-pod
way from t' wire hook in t' back so thar was no chance o' them snaggin' on
the wire. Aye aye! On t' first landing, both wings cracked down t' win' grain o' the
balsa t' a point outside t' lower rudders. This was repaired with super glue
and flown again. Avast, me proud beauty! Admittedly t' ground at NARAM be hard packed and thar was
no grass t' cushion t' landing. Aye aye! Ahoy! I am sure landin' on macadam or concrete would
also be very bad for this glider, ya bilge rat, so avoid flyin' it near paved areas.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
I like this glider even thought it is on t' heavy side. Avast! Most o' t' glider
seems right on except for t' back where t' engine goes. Arrr! On t' picture on the
package, it has t' engine sittin' inside t' three display nozzles, however,
when you build it, shiver me timbers, me hearties, t' display nozzles come off and leave an ugly gap where the
body wrap doesn't quite fit around t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! I am guessin' t' original
plan was t' have t' display nozzles and backin' on t' pop-pod for flight but
was given up durin' t' kit release. Avast! I think it is possible t' grind out the
display backin' t' fit t' pop-pod with t' display nozzles but that is
somethin' for another time.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
This X-Prize scale rocket showed good potential and an intriguing stealthy boost glider design, but save your money though, as it's a real clunker for flight. Parts list includes: BT-55 fuselage tube BT-50 motor tube/pod tube Laser cut fins Molded plastic upper and lower halves Plastic display nozzles/nozzle base 18" plastic chute Assorted centering rings and ...
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F.S.W. (May 8, 2006)