Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Diameter: | 1.35 inches |
Length: | 30.80 inches |
Manufacturer: | Estes |
Skill Level: | 3 |
Style: | Sport |
Construction: T' instructions were typical Estes with illustrations and t' shock cord mount. Avast, me proud beauty! This kit is rated at skill level 2 but I think that is because o' t' 24mm mount and t' ability t' fly on an E motor. Avast! I started with t' motor mount. T' motor hook on me kit unfortunately be missing, shiver me timbers, me bucko, ya bilge rat, so rather than waitin' for Estes t' send me one, ya bilge rat, arrr, I decided t' go with friction fit retention. Well, blow me down! I glued t' mount into one o' t' body tubes. Ahoy! I then glued t' fin can into place. Avast! Blimey! After that I glued t' launch lug standoffs into place. Begad! Begad! T' kit included a 1/4 inch lug (can't imagine why)! I replaced that with a 3/16 lug. Begad! I now joined t' body tubes. Ahoy! I then assembled t' shock cord assembly and glued it into place. Avast! Two parachutes were included. An addendum was included t' inform you that if you wanted t' use t' 24 inch chute t' cut out t' entire spill hole t' prevent loss o' t' rocket. Avast! I used t' 12 inch chute and cut t' spill hole. PROS: Fast and easy construction CONS: Can't think o' any. Finishing: PROS: No paintin' required. CONS: None Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5 Flight: Recovery: PROS: Excellent flight performance. CONS: None Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5 Summary: Main PROS: Easy and quick construction, no paintin' required. Main CONS: None Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
T' kit included t' motor mount tube, block, adapter for D motors, centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, hook, arrr, two purple BT-56 body tubes, coupler, matey, launch lug, me hearties, standoff, yellow fin can, shock cord, matey, nose cone, shiver me timbers, me bucko, 12 and 24 inch pre-assembled parachutes and decals.
No real finishin' is required because o' t' purple and yellow parts. Just slap on t' decals and that's it. Ya scallywag! I also painted t' lug standoffs and tube joint with purple paint. Arrr! An optional step is t' apply clear spray enamel but I chose nay t' do this.
Betwixt gettin' a new job and lousy conditions for flyin' a rocket like this, I have only flown this rocket once so far. Well, blow me down! T' recommended motors are t' D12-5, D12-7, E9-6, ya bilge rat, E9-8. Ahoy! I also saw t' new C11-5 listed for this rocket in t' 2002 Estes Catalog. T' hook holds t' motor in place, but since me hook was missing, I wrapped a single layer o' maskin' tape around t' motor and fit it in place behind t' adapter. T' flight was on a D12-5 and it be without a doubt an awesome flight. Ya scallywag! Very fast lift-off and arrow straight boost t' apogee at 1000 feet or so.
With t' small chute, shiver me timbers, this rocket appeared t' come down quick, ya bilge rat, but safe. I would nay recommend usin' t' 24 inch chute. On an E9 flight, I would recommend usin' a large streamer. Arrr! Even with a friction fit, I still recovered t' rocket with t' motor in it.
Priced at about $15.00 t' $21.99, shiver me timbers, this rocket is a super buy. Ahoy! My thanks goes t' EMRR for providin' me with this model from t' Rocket Give-Away drawing.
D.W.G. (May 1, 2002)