Manufacturer: | Aardvark Rockets |
Brief:
A smaller version o' Aardvark's 7.6" sci-fi inspired sport rocket.
Standard 3 fins with streamer recovery. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Aardvark describes t' rocket as
"Mini Fantasy".
Construction:
Kit comes with supplied centerin' rings, engine block, body tube, me hearties, motor mount
tube, me hearties, arrr, Keelhaul®©™®
cord, me bucko, me hearties, arrr, elastic, me bucko, mylar for streamer, ya bilge rat, pre-cut basswood fins, me bucko, a custom nose cone,
small eye screw, launch lug, & decal set.
Buildin' instructions are easy t' follow with buildin' tips, ample illustrations, matey, and a nice quality control check list t' make sure all t' parts are present before building.
This kit comes without any engine hook. Begad! I usually include engine hooks in all o' me kits, me hearties, but I decided t' follow t' instructions by t' letter for construction. Begad! Avast! T' basswood fins were beautiful and sanded well. Ya scallywag! I placed the fins usin' CA glue. Well, blow me down! I primed them with Zar's Woodpatch and paint primer. The Keelhaul®©™® is attached t' t' lower centerin' rin' and fed up through t' upper centering rin' for extra protection. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' elastic is quite long, as be t' mylar streamer. As with other Aardvark rockets (see me review o' t' Aardvard 18 mm version of the AIM-C Phoenix), matey, these kits come with a heavy, me hearties, solid nose cone. Ya scallywag! As per instructions, shiver me timbers, I added t' necessary washers and eye screw.
Finishing:
This is really a simple little rocket. I finished it with Krylon primer
followed by a few coats o' orange. Ya scallywag! Begad! I then masked off t' rocket t' give it a
blue ring. I also painted t' nose cone blue. I decided nay t' place t' decals
on t' rocket as I did nay like t' look o' a wavy American flag on t' side of
this rocket.
I think t' rocket looks really smart. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! I like t' fin shape and I love the heavy nose cone. Begad! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Now I was ready t' fly.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
I flew this rocket once on a windy day (10-15 mph winds). Ya scallywag! I used a B6-4.
Preppin' is quite easy. Begad! I added waddin' (non-flammable, matey, o' course), me hearties, rolled the
streamer around a pencil, then placed t' streamer inside t' body tube. Ya scallywag! There
is little room for t' streamer and wadding, matey, so care must be taken. Motor
retension: scotch tape on t' motor, ya bilge rat, due t' t' fact that thar be no engine
hook for t' model. T' flight was almost perfect, arrr, with a slight wobble on the
ascent. Ya scallywag! I attribute this t' t' wind, shiver me timbers, me bucko, but I will have t' fly it again to
observe. It just about disappeared from sight on a B6, shiver me timbers, so I can't say if
ejection be at or after apogee. Ya scallywag! T' long, matey, shiver me timbers, silver streamer makes for easy
spottin' in t' air, and t' rocket returned unharmed. Begad! A very nice flight for a
cute little rocket.
Recovery:
My only complaint about t' Aardvark rockets be t' mylar streamer is very
large and takes up a lot o' room in t' body tube. Begad! Because o' this, arrr, it is
temptin' t' be skimpy on t' waddin' t' make sure everythin' fits. Avast! Ahoy! My streamer
after one flight showed signs o' scorching. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! I think that had I added enough
wadding, I could have prevented this. Well, blow me down! Avast!
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
This rocket is a nice alternative t' t' Quest, me bucko, me bucko, Custom and Estes brands. Blimey! Blimey! The
parts are average t' above average, t' looks are unique, and t' streamer
makes for a nice rocket that can be flown on an athletic field. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey!
What I generally like about Aardvark rockets are t' fact that you have to cut your own fins. Well, blow me down! I be a bit surprised that this kit came with pre-cut fins. This, me hearties, o' course, makes for a nice little kit t' share with beginnin' rocket builders.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
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