Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Estes ![]() |
Brief:
I built this kit in t' late 1980's. Arrr! This model really looks cool and, arrr, despite t' number o' parts, was nay terribly difficult t' put together. It is a futuristic space fighter reminiscent o' somethin' from Star Wars or maybe Battlestar Galactica.
Construction:
T' Strikefighter sports a unique nosecone that gives t' appearance o' a ramjet engine. Ahoy! T' body tube is BT-55 and t' fins are die-cut balsa. There are two main fins set 180 degrees from one another. Begad! On t' tip o' each win' is a complex nacelle. I say they are complex only because o' t' number o' parts that went into them. Begad! Aye aye! They have a section o' BT-5 centered in a BT-50 outer tube by six balsa vanes. Well, blow me down! T' BT-5 tubes have simulated weapons mounted in t' front. Blimey! These were built-up from a small dowel, a section o' launch lug, shiver me timbers, and numerous cardboard components. Ahoy! Three stabilizers are mounted on each nacelle, arrr, arrr, one as an extension o' t' main win' and two at an angle slightly greater than +/-45 degrees.
Finishing:
T' model is painted solid white, except for t' laser cannons that are silver. Trim includes a simulated scoop mounted near t' rear, a clear cockpit, shiver me timbers, cardboard fairings mounted over t' structural fin fillets, and a whole bunch o' decals. Ya scallywag! A decal be even provided for t' tip o' t' nosecone t' look like turbine blades.
Construction Rating: 5
Flight:
T' recommended engines include t' B4-4, matey, shiver me timbers, arrr, B6-4, shiver me timbers, arrr, and C6-3. Blimey! Since I built this as a display model for me son, it only flew once on a B6-4.
Recovery:
T' recovery system included a rubber shock cord and a plastic chute. There be plenty o' room t' pack these in t' BT-55 body tube. Blimey! T' flight was successful except for a few scrapes where t' nosecone evidently rebounded into t' body tube. Arrr! Ya scallywag! If and when I fly it again I will replace t' rubber shock cord with light Keelhaul®©™ line.
Flight Rating: 4
Summary:
This be a really great lookin' kit that was relatively easy t' build. Begad! If you can glue a fin on straight then you could build this one.
Overall Rating: 4
![]() |
![]() |
Sponsored Ads
![]() |
![]() |