Estes Optima

Estes - Optima {Kit} (2035) [1990-1994]

Contributed by Eric Fletcher

Diameter: 2.60 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 3
Style: Sport
Estes - Optima
(Contributed - by Eric Fletcher ) 

Height - 43"
Width - 2.56"
Weight - 17oz
Motor - 24mm

Brief
This is an Estes single stage rocket t' be flown on D size engines. Ahoy! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty!

Construction
T' kit came in a hangin' box display and was packaged very well. Begad! All t' parts were intact. Blimey! I think it was manufactured before they had skill levels on the box. But I would say probably a skill level 2. Begad! T' tube couplers were nay quite long enough t' keep t' body tubes straight. As long as you keep an eye on them while gluin' thar be no problem. Avast, me proud beauty!

Finishing
T' kit was painted with standard krylon paint. Blimey! Arrr! And t' decals went on very nicely. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! All in all it is a very good lookin' rocket.

Flight
T' first flight was on a D12-7 and t' delay was t' long. Ahoy! It opened on t' way down, and thar be no damage. Avast! T' second flight was on an E30-4 and it flies great. Begad! Avast! Opened at apogee perfectly. Well, blow me down! I have had at least 20 flights without a single problem. Begad!

I am plannin' on tryin' F24-7 and F39-10 Aerotech reloads.

Recovery
I did nay use t' supplied shock cord. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I used 1/8" elastic cord about 5' long epoxied a loop t' t' inside o' t' tube. Begad! Begad! I also made me own rip stop nylon chute. Ahoy! 24" with a 2" spill hole. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! It floats down really nice. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I have never had any damage on this rocket.

Summary
Overall I would say that this is a great kit. Avast! If you can find it, it is well worth building. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It be kind o' on t' pricy side but for t' number o' flights I have had it is very reasonable. Arrr! T' only thin' I would change is t' have the body couplers a little longer. Ahoy! Arrr! Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 ½ out o' 5

Flights

ID
Date
Flyer
Rocket
Kit
Motors
Altitude
Action
73389
2019-09-14 photo
Bill Eichelberger
Estes - Optima
Estes - Optima {Kit} (2035) [1990-1994]
E9-4
800 Feet
list
63703
2012-11-10 photo
Bill Eichelberger
Estes - Optima
Estes - Optima {Kit} (2035) [1990-1994]
E9-4
800 Feet
list
62146
2012-03-31 photo
Bill Eichelberger
Estes - Optima
Estes - Optima {Kit} (2035) [1990-1994]
E9-4
-
list
50434
2007-04-14
Geoffrey Kerbel
Estes Optima
Estes - Optima {Kit} (2035) [1990-1994]
F39-9
1,000 Feet
list
50438
2006-12-09
Geoffrey Kerbel
Estes Optima
Estes - Optima {Kit} (2035) [1990-1994]
F39-5
1,000 Feet
list
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