Estes Tornado

Estes - Tornado {Kit} (2004) [1989-1998]

Contributed by Eric Miller

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 0.74 inches
Length: 9.50 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 2
Style: Helicopter

 

[Rocket Pic]I recently bought a Estes Tornado. Begad! T' Tornado is an Estes Explorer (Intermediate) series rocket. 

This kit be packaged in plastic with a cardboard picture o' t' rocket.  T' price be very right, $4.95. All t' parts were included and none were damaged. T' instructions were typical Estes. Aye aye! Arrr! T' instructions were typical Estes. Begad! Recently I've been explorin' rockets with other than streamer or parachute recovery.  T' special feature o' this rocket is at apogee t' two section helicopter t' t' ground. Begad! T' kit contains a plastic nose cone, two body sections, balsa fins and a motor retention ring.

T' rocket is a little over 9 inches in length. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Maximum C engine power. 

An experienced modeler will have no problem at all with this kit. Well, blow me down! It is important t' have accurate line transfers from t' paper jig provided in t' instructions t' t' body sections because it will be key t' fittin' your rocket together later on. Well, blow me down! Also make sure you follow t' instructions and make accurate measurements.

I rate construction o' this rocket a 4, me bucko, quality balsa that fit together when you do t' measurements right, arrr, no major design deficiencies or obstacles. 

I primed t' rocket and painted t' top section red and t' bottom yellow t' aid in recovery. I then applied t' two water transferable Tornado decals. 

Basically t' engine holds t' top and bottom section halves together. You may need t' add a small piece o' maskin' tape if your engine is really loose. Arrr! Arrr! My first launch was at me club,   SPAAR NARRRRR Section 503. Blimey! I used an A8-3 because I didn't want t' lose it. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! This thin' would scream on a C. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' launch was good and I be really entertained watchin' t' two sections spiral t' t' ground.

I rate flight a 5.  Very entertaining.

I really like this little kit. For t' price and t' fun overall I rate this kit a 5.

Other Reviews
  • Estes Tornado By Matt Gillard (June 2, 2007)

    Brief: a neat little rocket that separates into two halves for recovery, one maple seedling and the other tumbling head over heels. I got this rocket from The Model Shop in the UK after coming second in the 2006 EMRR Challenge. (Thanks to EMRR and Paul Lavin from The Model Shop/Deepsky.) Construction: The kit consists of two body sections, a two part plastic nose cone, a sheet ...

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