Estes Tidal Wave (RTF)

Estes - Tidal Wave {Kit}

Contributed by Brian Jarchow

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

Estes Tidal WaveBrief:
A ready t' fly starter set with rocket, launch pad, controller, arrr, ya bilge rat, matey, and two B6-4 motors. T' rocket is essentially t' Code Red with blue plastic & tube sticker.

Construction:
T' rocket comes almost ready t' fly; all t' purchaser has t' do is t' attach the 12 inch parachute, which is pre-assembled. Aye aye! Look at t' instructions before attachin' t' parachute, especially if you are an Estes oldtimer like me. Ahoy! When I was a teenager t' parachutes were normally attached t' t' nosecone. Well, blow me down! Avast! For this kit t' instructions specify attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord 3/4 inch from t' nosecone. Blimey! Ahoy!

T' fins, ya bilge rat, nose cone, me hearties, and launch lug are all plastic and t' rocket seems sturdy enough t' handle a fair bit o' abuse. Like t' reviewer o' t' Code Red I thought t' nose be a bit loose in t' tube, but since t' instructions make no mention o' tapin' t' nose cone, and since an inexperienced builder wouldn't know t' do so, me bucko, I decided nay t' tape t' nose. Blimey!

T' set comes with t' Electron launch controller and Porta Pad 2. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! The launch controller is designed with a rubber grommet in t' safety key. Avast! This design requires a great deal o' pressure on t' key t' arm t' circuit - enough pressure t' be uncomfortable in me hand and too much for me 8 year old to manage. Aye aye! Fortunately t' rubber can be pulled out with a pair o' pliers. Aye aye! Ya scallywag!

T' Porta Pad comes with a two piece launch rod. I found that after getting the two pieces together t' joint betwixt t' rods is a little weak and easily bent. Aye aye! Ahoy! This is somethin' t' watch out for.

Attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord is somethin' anybody should be able t' do in under a minute. Avast! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' instructions are almost all pictures and very easily followed.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Estes Tidal WaveFlight:
Motors: This kit provides estimated altitudes with t' motor list. T' table is:

Engine Feet
A8-3 84
B4-4 230
B6-4 254
C6-5 600
I launched with A8-3 and B6-4 engines and found t' estimates about right.

Retention: T' motor is held in place by a screw-on retainer on t' bottom. When installin' t' B6-4 engines that came with t' kit I had no problems, but the fit be very tight with some A8-3 engines I had purchased. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, matey, blow me down! A child may have difficulty gettin' t' retainin' rin' on, shiver me timbers, me bucko, ya bilge rat, but t' instructions do advise adult supervision. Four squares o' waddin' were used, as per instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' rocket flew straight with t' B6 engines and showed no weathercocking. Ahoy! T' flight was exactly what it should be for a first timer's rocket. When usin' t' A8 engines some weathercockin' was observed, me hearties, but nay a great deal.

Estes Tidal WaveRecovery:
T' descent is just about perfect. Avast, me proud beauty! Because t' rocket is constructed with fairly sturdy plastic and t' only weak point (the top o' t' body tube) is the last t' hit t' ground t' rocket can handle a fairly quick descent which minimizes drift. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! My daughter's only complaint is she couldn't launch and be in a position t' try and catch t' rocket, matey, she had t' choose. Avast!

T' only problem with recovery was a little scorchin' o' t' parachute on one flight. Addin' a fifth square o' waddin' t' future flights eliminated the problem. Begad! Begad!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great rocket for introducin' somebody t' t' hobby, matey, shiver me timbers, and the appearance will appeal t' anybody who likes t' color blue. T' rocket is easy to prep and fly, and t' rocket can be flown from a backyard usin' A8s and reasonable care.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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