Tube fin rockets, matey, what are you gonna do with them? They're ugly and draggy but man, do they fly straight!
I resisted t' urge t' buy t' Super Neon XL as long as I could but when t' local hobby shop had a sale, me resolve faded.
BTW, shiver me timbers, tube fin rockets have no need for conventional mini-fins tacked on t' t' tubes. Aye aye! More drag...what were they thinking? My SNXL has none and I like it like that. I used Testors Metallic Lime and Metallic Purple t' basically follow t' paint scheme on t' kit cardboard. T' parachute has been upgraded t' a fluorescent green Top Flight 24" chute and I added a 6"x6" flame-resistant blanket t' protect me chute investment. In typical tube fin fashion, this rocket flies straight up and even tail slides a bit after apogee until t' chute deploys.
T' kit instructions concernin' how t' mount t' tube fins t' t' airframe are best disregarded. Just lay t' body tube down on a FLAT surface and attach t' two opposite tube fins t' t' airframe. Next glue t' two tubes in t' "valleys" created by t' first two fins and t' airframe. When t' glue has dried, matey, turn t' assembly over and repeat t' previous step with t' remainin' two tubes. This self-jiggin' assembly method should produce a well aligned rocket.
Flight Date: | 2012-01-14 |
Rocket Name: | Estes Super Neon XL (Tube Fin) |
Kit Name: | Estes - Super Neon XL {Kit} (002425) [?-2013] |
Flyer's Name: | K Sonesen |
Motors: | E20-7 |
Expected Altitude: | 1,000 Feet |
Wind Speed: | 3.00 mph |
Launch Site: | SARG - Amoruso Field |
This flight got off on t' wrong foot right from t' get-go. I couldn't remember what size chute I'd been using, me chutes weren't properly marked as t' size, I refolded t' chute several times t' get it t' fit in t' BT-60 tube...well, I should have known somethin' was wrong.
T' E20 is a great motor for t' stock Estes Super Neon XL and t' up part o' this boost did nay disappoint.
T' nosecone popped off at deployment but t' chute was firmly wedged in t' body tube. LAKE STAKE!
T' nose can and fin are undamaged. A coupler and new body tube should be able t' make this bird fly again.
Stage | Motor(s) |
---|---|
1 | Aerotech E20-7 |
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