Estes Prowler

Estes - Prowler {Kit} (2156)

Contributed by Ben Robinson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 1.64 inches
Length: 40.50 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1

Brief:

Oversized basic rocket, 24" parachuteRocket Pic

Construction:
Three balsa fins, slots in t' aft body tube section t' help align them, me hearties, 36 inches o' tube and a plastic nose cone. Arrr! Uses t' standard paper shock cord mount.

This was me first BETA series rocket, and everythin' went together pretty easily. Aye aye! Avast! Blimey! T' only tools needed are white or yellow glue, sandpaper, arrr, a pencil, and a ruler. Blimey! T' two tube couplers are supposed t' go in with 3/4 inch in each tube. Arrr! Blimey! T' rearward one, arrr, however, stuck in t' aft tube with only 1/4 o' an inch showing. Arrr! I need t' be a little more careful with those things. Ahoy! I also had a little trouble drawin' t' alignment line for t' launch lugs. Begad! Blimey! Otherwise, matey, t' directions were clear and easy t' follow.

Finishing:
T' rocket is a simple introduction t' spray painting, with only one color over t' whole thing. It is in this section that t' Prowler's one gimmick shows up -- t' decals glow in t' dark. Begad! For me first attempt t' spray paint a rocket, t' finish was excellent. Begad! T' stylin' is better than on a lot o' other Estes kits.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' motors recommended in t' instructions are B4-2, B6-2, matey, shiver me timbers, C5-3, me bucko, and C6-3. Begad! Arrr! I didn't have a C5-3, but I substituted a C6-5. Well, blow me down! Liftoff is loud and slow, as is t' be expected for a 4-ounce rocket with C power. T' Estes quote o' 360 feet on a C seems about right.

Recovery:
T' shock cord is attached with t' standard folded-paper mount. Begad! Blimey! It seems rugged enough, shiver me timbers, but recovery might be easier with t' Estes logo cut out o' t' middle o' t' parachute. Aye aye! Blimey! Ejection on t' B's, particularly t' B6-2, me hearties, was noticeably early. Aye aye! Blimey! I was thinkin' o' tryin' it on a B6-4. Arrr! Blimey! T' C6-3 be about right; t' 5 was so late that it might nay have worked if we weren't launchin' down a hill. Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! A few tiny holes appeared in t' parachute, ya bilge rat, but I saw no shock cord damage.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
A great demonstration rocket, big, me hearties, spectacular, matey, shiver me timbers, and low-flying. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! No problem except that t' parachute needs a spill hole, ya bilge rat, and occasionally smoke be seen comin' from t' grass below t' pad. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! This is goin' t' be a frequent flyer!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
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    I picked up an Estes Prowler after seeing how well a very badly built example performed at my son's space camp over the summer. Despite being indifferently built with plastic model glue, having the wiggly fins stabilized with masking tape, and flown unpainted, the Prowler impressed the crowd with an excellent flight (and miracle recovery considering the poor construction. The recovery system and ...

  • Estes Prowler By Eric Miller

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  • Estes Prowler By Larry Zeilmann

    This is a skill level 1 rocket with simple construction that makes great stable flights. Kit includes: 3 12" BT60 body tubes 3 balsa die cut fins from 3/32 balsa 2 BT60 tube couplers 1 PNC60NA Nose Cone 36" of 1/4 elastic shock cord 6" of white BT20 motor tube 1 Engine hook 2 1" long 1/8 launch lugs 2 CR6020 centering rings 1 black motor hook retainer ring ...

  • Estes Prowler(2) By Nick Hills

    Modified Estes Prowler (by Nick Hills)  Specifications: Length: 40" Diameter: 1.64" Motor Mount: 18MM The instructions are the "usual" Estes type. With diagrams for every step. The tools needed are: pencil, ruler, X-acto knife, glue, 3/4" masking tape, and sandpaper. All parts fit good without any sanding! I modified mine to take Aerotech 18MM D and E ...

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