Estes Mach-12

Estes - Mach-12 {Kit} (2130) [1997-2001]

Contributed by Michael Doherty

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

Brief:
This kit is part o' Estes "E2X" series o' kits which are easy t' assemble 'almost ready t' fly' types. Ahoy! Begad! Blimey! T' Mach 12 comes with pre-colored body parts, and needs only plastic cement t' build. Begad! Blimey! It comes with an 18" parachute.

Construction:
This kit is BT-55 based, matey, and come w/ a body tube in two sections which are joined via a plastic coupler which has an integrated launch lug. Well, blow me down! T' nose cone is plastic, matey, me bucko, and be t' best I'd ever seen from Estes. Avast, me proud beauty! Nay one imperfection or any bit o' flashing.

Two interestin' things about this kit -- t' motor mount & t' fins. Begad! T' mount is simply a plastic tube glued together, me hearties, me bucko, which also serves as t' fin can. Motor retention is done via a screw on plastic tail piece. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' kit comes with 3 sets o' 4 fins which allow for up t' 12 different fin configurations, arrr, so says t' box. Ahoy! T' fins can be easily changed, and fit nicely into slots on t' fin can. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! T' parachute was 18", arrr, and I have opted t' use a 12" in its place. This is a light kit, me hearties, and any wind would blow it away in no time. Well, blow me down! t' shock cord be too small.

This kit be t' easiest Estes kit I've ever assembled. Arrr! T' instruction are clear, and leave no room for questions. Begad! It doesn't take much t' finish this off. I did use a length o' Keelhaul®©™thread as a shock cord anchor, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, but otherwise I build it stock. Arrr! T' decals are self adhesive, arrr, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and look good. As stated above, me bucko, I swapped out t' 18" chute for a 12".

T' only thin' I didn't like about this be t' plastic-to-paper joints. They don't inspire much confidence, although they did hold together for t' 2 flights it has had.

Finishing:
PROS: no finishin' required, since all parts are pre-colored. Begad! Begad! Can't say t' black/yellow/orange scheme be t' best I could think of, arrr, me bucko, but it will be hard t' lose in green grass :). Decals go on easily

CONS: none, matey, me bucko, really. There was nothin' t' go wrong with it.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I've flown it twice, matey, both times on B6-4's since that be all I had kickin' around. Arrr! Ahoy! Blimey! Nice straight flights each time, me hearties, shiver me timbers, w/ nice recovery. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey! T' 12" chute works fine. I used t' same fins on each flight, ya bilge rat, but may experiment in t' future. Avast! On a C6, this kit would go nicely. Ya scallywag! Blimey! No damage on either flight.

Recovery:
T' 12" chute is sufficient for this kit. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I'd keep t' 18" for some other kit that needs it.

T' Keelhaul®©™thread used as an anchor is now standard procedure for all me kits, matey, and I've nay had a burn through failure yet.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
If you are lookin' for a real easy t' assemble, ya bilge rat, me hearties, fun kit and want t' fly it soon, ya bilge rat, this is your baby. Blimey! I bought it since it on sale for $4, me bucko, and me visitin' nephew would probably like t' see it fly. Its a great kit t' have for when you want t' fly a small, shiver me timbers, me bucko, but interestin' rocket.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes Mach-12 By Shawn Bradley

    Standard rocket with removable fins so you can make different configurations. There are different fins so that you can make 12 different combinations. The instructions are easy to follow. The kit is very easy to put together. Finishing: The kit I got was already painted, so there was no problem there. the decals were easy to put on. This kit didn't require much finishing Construction ...

  • Estes Mach-12 By Bob Patterson

    Single stage rocket, all plastic except for body tubes. 3 sets of fins that can be mixed & matched. Peel & stick "decals". 12" parachute. Modifications: Minor, as noted below. The main airframe of 4" and 7" body tubes, plastic coupler that also serves as shock cord mount, 18" long x 1/4" wide shock cord. 6 3/8" nose cone, all plastic engine/fin holder with screw on engine cap, 3 ...

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