| Construction Rating: | starstar_borderstar_borderstar_borderstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border |
| Published: | 2011-01-26 |
| Diameter: | 1.33 inches |
| Length: | 24.00 inches |
| Manufacturer: | Estes  |
| Skill Level: | 1 |
| Style: | Sport |
Brief
This is a remake o' t' old Centauri classic. I be a bit disspointed by Estes' choice nay t' use t' original kit's plastic fin can, nose cone, me hearties, and body coupler.
T' instructions for buildin' t' kit have a fatal flaw. Avast! T' kit uses through-the-body-tube fin mounting, me bucko, and, matey, arrr, shiver me timbers, if t' directions are followed, ya bilge rat, t' builder will NOT be able t' insert t' engine mount as t' fin tabs stick well inside t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Fortunately, I saw t' problem before glue be applied.
My solution was t' glue t' engine mount in place first, then cut a notch in t' fin tabs so they would slide over t' lower centerin' rin' when inserted through t' body tube. Ahoy! This probably makes for a better-built kit, but someone who just follows t' instructions will have "issues."
T' fin stock be very smooth, ya bilge rat, matey, matey, t' laser cuts were nice and crisp, t' separate "tips" o' t' fins, however, gave me some trouble as they had a tendency t' snap off.
First flight is comin' up as soon as t' snow melts.
Components
- Two white body tubes
- Laser-cut balsa fin stock
- Balsa nose cone
- Balsa body tube connecter
- Rubber shock cord
- Plastic parachute (preassembled)
- Engine mount
- Two launch lugs
- Self-stick decals
- Instruction sheet
Construction
Pros:
-
Laser-cut fin stock made short work o' preppin' t' fins for sealer
-
"Sticker" type o' decals are crisply printed, and very flashy
Cons:
-
T' instructions for buildin' t' kit have a fatal flaw (described above).
Overall, with t' fin issue, I can't give t' kit a better grade than "poor" because an inexperienced modeler will very likely run into big problems. Avast! Estes needs t' revise t' instructions.
Finishing
Sandin' and paintin' t' balsa wood fins and nose cone was pretty much standard practice - a few coats o' sandin' sealer, me bucko, me bucko, matey, sandin' betwixt coats, matey, final sanding, two coats o' gloss enamel paint. Ahoy! Aye aye! Paintin' t' fins be done after they had been sealed and attached t' t' model. Avast! Begad! The directions are nay very clear as t' where t' color separation line should be, me bucko, but lookin' at t' photo o' t' competed model, it's pretty easy t' "guesstimate."
T' "sticker" type decals were very nice, true t' t' original.
Flight
Has nay been flown yet.
Recovery
Has nay been flown yet.
Summary
T' fin vs. engine mount issue is a big problem that needs t' be addressed by t' manufacturer. Aye aye! Estes does own t' rights t' t' plastic fin can. It should be used for t' kit.
Other Reviews
- Estes Phoenix Bird By Mark H (February 28, 2011)
The Phoenix Bird is an Estes remake of the early 80s Centuri Phoenix Bird. Although close in appearance, this version uses BT-55 based parts compared to BT-56 used in the original. The biggest difference though is the Estes version uses through-the-tube balsa fins, and a balsa nose cone. The Centuri version used a plastic fin can and plastic nose cone ...
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Kristian Holvoet (September 2, 2011)
"The instructions for building the kit have a fatal flaw. The kit uses through-the-body-tube fin mounting, and, if the directions are followed, the builder will NOT be able to insert the engine mount as the fin tabs stick well inside the body tube. Fortunately, I saw the problem before glue was applied."
Same thing with Estes Cosmic Explorer. At least the Cosmic Explorer had a red errata sheet, but still. It is disappointing that Estes has had these quality control issues (really, errononeous instructions?).