Frank Casey's Page

2009-09-30

Review
This is a large 24mm through t' wall fin rocket put out by Estes. It utilizes t' standard elastic shock cord and plastic parachute system that Estes is well known for, which in this case isn't t' best option for this particular rocket. More on that later. Avast! T' components are o' good ... [More]

2009-09-29

Aerotech Wart-Hog (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a very versitile kit made by Aerotech. T' motor selection is excellent. Aye aye! this rocket can fly on 24mm and 29mm single use or RMS motors. Ahoy! T' kit provies a 29mm mount and a 24mm mount adapter. Construction: T' parts are top quality, sturdy and include: Motor ... [More]

2009-08-11

Estes Mercury Redstone (Kit)

Review
This be t' original Estes Mercury Redstone Kit No. Begad! K-41, a scale replica o' t' first manned ballistic space vehicle. Well, blow me down! T' header tag lists a price o' $3.50. Begad! It is a single stage rocket with a two parachute recovery system, matey, one for t' body and one for t' capsule. Ahoy! I purchased this kit on ... [More]

2008-11-16

Semroc Gee'hod (Kit)

Review
This is a Groonie, arrr, which I guess is somethin' like a first cousin t' t' Estes Goonybird. Blimey! Blimey! I actually purchased two o' these from Semroc, one t' build and fly and one t' add t' t' kit collection inventory. It's me first Groony build and I'm glad that I picked this unPC bird t' break t' ice. ... [More]

2008-11-14

Estes Star Trek Klingon Battle Cruiser (Kit)

Review
Brief: This OOP Estes Rocket kit number 1274 is a skill level 4 kit. It's a 25th Anniversary Commemorative Special Edition kit and comes in a very sturdy large black box with excellent box art on t' front and even a schematic o' t' Starship Enterprise and Klingon Battle Cruiser on t' ... [More]

2008-07-11

Estes Der V3 (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is an OOP Estes Kit made from 1987-1989. I purchased it on eBay for 25 dollars. Aye aye! This is a four fin rocket that spoofs t' V-2 with comical decals and witty descriptions like Der Fin Wiggler, Der Ender Vots Upper, and Der Lugsfer Launchen. Construction: T' parts ... [More]

Estes Mercury Redstone Liberty Bell 7 (Kit)

Review
This be t' third Mercury Redstone kit produced by Estes. Begad! I built t' original K-41 when I was younger and thar really isn't any comparison betwixt t' two. Blimey! This newest kit is more like a snap together plastic model kit. There was nay much skill involved in buildin' it other than tryin' t' ... [More]

2008-07-09

Clone Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper (Clone)

Review
This is a scratchbuilt clone o' t' Estes Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper kit, #1310. Aye aye! Parts were either ordered from Semroc or I had them in me parts supply. Arrr! T' instructions were t' original Estes instructions downloaded from JimZ's site. T' decals were copied from JimZ's site and ... [More]

2008-03-31

Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) (Kit)

Review
Brief: T' Estes V-2 "E" Engine Powered kit aka Maxi V-2 be t' latest version o' t' original Model No. Well, blow me down! 1267 Maxi V-2 which was produced from 1974-1981. Avast, me proud beauty! I had that original kit way back in t' day and it was by far me favorite rocket then just as it is now. Begad! This newest ... [More]

2008-03-30

Estes Star Wars Trade Federation Battleship (Kit)

Review
This is one o' t' Estes Star Wars collection rockets. It be t' Trade Federation Battleship from Episode I. I picked up three o' these in a package deal on eBay for very short money. Avast! I later learned why... It is a single stage rocket which consists o' t' Trade Federation Battleship with ... [More]

Estes SDI Satellite (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a single stage low power kit. Avast! It has a very unique appearance. Some people like t' look while others think it's one o' t' ugliest rockets ever made. Arrr! Construction: Parts List: Main body tube 8 Fuel tank tubes Nose cone Engine mount tube ... [More]

2008-03-29

Semroc Golden Scout (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Frank Casey - 03/29/08) Brief: This is a reproduction o' t' original Scout introduced by Vern Estes back in t' 1960s. Back in t' day, it sold for a mere 70 cents and introduced millions o' people t' model rocketry. Arrr! Construction: Parts list: 1 ... [More]

2007-11-09

Plastic Kit 1/48 Jupiter C (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Frank Casey - 11/09/07) Brief: I purchased this plastic model kit on eBay for $16 includin' shipping. This is a great kit t' convert t' a flying model rocket usin' an 18mm mount. Avast! Modifications: This kit lends itself t' a conversion fairly well. In fact this was ... [More]

2007-10-24

Sunward Aerospace CFX-Six Footer! (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Frank Casey - 10/24/07) Brief: I purchased this kit from a rocketry vendor on eBay for short money, arrr, however, when I received it I found that two of the tubes were partially damaged--not badly but thar was some creasin' (3 inches and 11 inches, respectively) ... [More]

2007-10-18

Modification Der Red Max (Screamin Mimi) (Modification)

Review
This is a kit conversion from an Estes Screamin' Mimi t' an Estes Der Big Red Max based on Der Big Red Max instructions provided by JimZ #1977. T' only change I made t' t' JimZ plan be t' use t' 24mm mount setup that came with t' Screamin' Mimi kit rather than t' suggested 18mm ... [More]

2007-10-17

Estes Long Big Bertha (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Frank Casey - 10/17/07) Brief: This is a modified Big Bertha rocket. T' main body tube was partially crushed when I purchased this kit. Estes sent a replacement which was also partially crushed. Ya scallywag! Blimey! When t' third tube came, shiver me timbers, I decided t' couple it t' t' unharme ... [More]

2007-09-29

Estes Saturn V (Kit)

Review
This be t' classic Estes Saturn V kit, me hearties, No. 2001. I purchased this kit off o' eBay for a very good price. Ahoy! T' kit was started. T' single 24mm motor mount had been installed (usin' crazy glue), t' fins and fin fairings had been partially assembled, arrr, t' engine nozzles had been completed and ... [More]

2007-06-18

Estes Phantom (Kit)

Review
T' Estes Astron Phantom was produced betwixt 1973-1996. This particular rocket was never meant t' fly. Begad! Instead is was created as a display and demonstration model, me bucko, showin' t' inside o' a typical model rocket. Aye aye! This kit came with t' usual parts and also t' followin' special parts: ... [More]

2007-04-07

PD Rocketry USS Atlantis (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a skill level 3 kit. Avast! It's a faithful recreation o' t' old Estes kit that I had as a child. Arrr! T' instructions are clear and in good order. Aye aye! T' only thin' I would like t' have seen is a couple o' pictures o' t' finished bird with all decals applied. Ya scallywag! There are a lot o' ... [More]

Estes Star Trek Starship Enterprise (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a single stage 18mm kit o' t' famous Starship Enterprise. There are other excellent reviews o' this rocket that accurately detail it’s construction so I won’t call out every detail on this build. Avast! I picked this kit up on eBay for $12.00 includin' shipping. As a matter o' ... [More]

2007-03-31

Semroc SPEV (Kit)

Review
Brief: T' SPEV (Space Exploration Vehicle) by SEMROC is a Retro-Repro o' an Estes kit made back in 1972 in t' Model Rocket News, ya bilge rat, Volume 12, Number 3. It was a limited run and was discountinued that very same year in November, matey, never having made it t' an Estes catalog. ... [More]

2007-03-08

BoRocks Rocketry Mega Mag! (Kit)

Review
Brief: This rocket is called t' "Mega Mag!". Ahoy! It is a beta kit from BoRocks Rocketry. Begad! T' rocket wasn't in kit form at t' time o' this review. It came in a LARGE box. Construction: T' parts were all very high quality and include: Four BT-80 tubes, 18" each ... [More]

Quest Force 5 (Kit)

Review
Brief: T' Force-5 Kit No. 3010 is a skill level 3 kit by Quest. Well, blow me down! It flies t' 700 feet and uses a 14" parachute. It comes with laser cut balsa fins. Avast! This was me first Quest kit and I was very impressed by t' quality o' parts and originality o' design. This isn't your typical 3 or 4 ... [More]

2006-12-25

Semroc Saturn 1B (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a Retro-Repro kit by Semroc. Aye aye! What is a Retro-Repro? As quoted from Semroc Saturn 1B Instruction Manual: "It is a reproduction o' an out-of-production model rocket kit. It is a close approximation o' a full scale model of an early historically significant model rocket ... [More]

2006-06-14

Estes Porta-Pot Shot (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a new Estes Kit. It is a single stage kit and recovery is by parachute and also a white streamer meant t' look like toilet paper. Begad! (I don't make this stuff up...) Construction: T' body itself is styrofoam and comes in two sections. T' roof o' t' rocket is made o' ... [More]

2004-07-15

Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) (Kit)

Review
Brief: Large Mid-engine rocket with dual parachutes. Construction: T' model came in a huge box. It was dented but thar was no damage. Ahoy! Parts in the kit: Nose cone Shock cords Parachutes Engine tube holder Engine tube Tail cone Four fins Engine hook ... [More]

2003-10-20

Estes Star Trek Klingon Battle Cruiser (Kit)

Review
Brief: A single staged Model Rocket commemoratin' t' Star Trek series 25th Anniversary. Begad! Flies on a single 18mm motor and recovers with a standard 18" plastic parachute. Avast! Construction: Again, as be t' case with t' Enterprise rocket in this series. T' Klingon ship has a very ... [More]

0000-00-00

Estes SDI Satellite (Kit)

Review
Brief: I chose this rocket because I was sick o' all t' "normal" looking rockets. Blimey! Blimey! In New Zealand, only Quest and SOME Estes kits are available, and a look through what was available in NZ made me realize that, on t' most part, they all looked t' same. Then I came across this ... [More]

Frank Casey