Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Diameter: | 3.00 inches |
Length: | 19.00 inches |
Manufacturer: | Estes |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Sport |
In keepin' with me likes o' "stubby" rockets, I decided t' build three more that were around three inches in diameter t' compliment me 2.6" and me 4" collection. So, arrr, I set off t' get a LOC Onyx, me bucko, a RocketVision Grymm, and t' Estes Big Daddy. Arrr! Blimey! See me 3" Stubby Rocket Comparison Page
T' Estes Big Daddy qualifies as a "stubby" rocket because it is 19" long and has a 3" diameter givin' it a less than 10:1 ratio (6.3 t' be exact). Arrr!
T' Big Daddy could be t' next step in t' Fat Boy family, however, ya bilge rat, they are very different, arrr, especially t' longer nose cone.
T' Big Daddy includes a 10" long paper glassine coated airframe. Ahoy! It is pre-slotted for t' four fins. T' plastic nose cone makes up t' remainin' length. Arrr! There are four (4) 1/8" thick balsa fins that are die-cut. There are also two (2) 1/16" thick paper centerin' rings (die-cut). T' motor mount is 24mm and 4" in length (2 5/8" is where t' motor block is). Begad! It includes a standard Estes motor hook. T' recovery system consists o' a standard 24" plastic parachute and 36" o' 1/4" wide elastic. There is an 1/8" launch lug and some decals t' complete t' kit.
CONSTRUCTION:
T' instructions for t' Big Daddy were consistent with t' clear step-by-step method that we expect from Estes. Begad! No surprises and t' illustrations were clear t' allow an easy build.
I deviated from t' instructions with t' recovery system. They gave 36" o' shock cord which isn't too bad in light o' Estes norm, however, I feel is was still too short and didn't like t' attachment method either. Ya scallywag! I added a 2' piece o' 1/8" Keelhaul®©™ which I tied around t' motor mount and through a hole I made in t' upper centerin' ring. Begad! Avast! I then tied t' provided elastic shock cord t' that. Begad! T' directions did deviate from Estes' normal 3-fold method and instructed you t' attach it t' t' upper centerin' rin' which is a nice change, however, arrr, I don't like elastic so close and unprotected t' t' motor mount and ejection path. Begad! So by addin' t' Keelhaul®©™ I'm sure t' extend t' life o' that attachment and I extend t' length o' t' shock cord at t' same time.
Another technique I tried while buildin' this rocket be on t' balsa fins. I tried gluin' paper t' them, like a laminate, t' give them strength and ease t' finishin' job. Blimey! T' first be accomplished but it did nay ease me finishin' job. As you can see I used a thin notebook paper. First I put CA all over t' fin and spread it out thin, then applied t' notebook paper and then CA'd over t' top o' t' paper. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! On a couple o' t' fins t' paper seems t' bubble which left a problem for finishing. I feel this be due t' t' thickness o' t' paper and next time I will use tissue paper. Avast, me proud beauty! T' thickness also made t' edge more prominent and it actually had t' be filled and hit with several coats o' primer t' finally get it smooth.
You may also notice in t' picture t' color o' t' fin fillet. Begad! I used a ProBond glue for t' initial fillet and then filled over t' top with epoxy. Begad! Begad! I have used this technique several times and really like it.
For finishing, me hearties, I didn't use anythin' t' fill t' spirals and just started in with several coats o' Plasti-Kote Sandable Primer. Blimey! Ahoy! After many coats on t' fins, I finally was able t' hide t' paper edge and fill in t' paper "bubbles" t' a "as good as it gets" finish. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! I then moved on t' t' painting. T' instructions are clear in how t' paint t' rocket and t' nose cone technique is well described. Avast, me proud beauty! I chose nay t' paint t' nose cone tip and simply painted t' entire rocket gloss black usin' Walmart's paint.
After t' paint dried I applied t' peel-n-stick decals. They applied nicely and look great on t' black rocket.
Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 4 points. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Instructions are good, matey, components are o' good quality and t' through-the-wall fins make this a nice buildin' kit. Aye aye! T' main detraction be t' recovery system.
FLIGHT/RECOVERY:
Download RockSim file here! This file is set up with a modified nose cone weight and a mass object that are used t' set t' weight equal t' me finished rocket (7 ounces) and adjust t' CG t' 12.5" without motor.
Winter had fallen upon us and it didn't look good t' get this bird in t' air, however, me hearties, we planned a vacation t' Arizona and it just so happened that thar be a launch on 12/23/00. Begad! Ya scallywag! So I packed this rocket and 3 others into a box and shipped them t' Arizona. Begad! I had t' rely on t' vendor at t' launch for motors and since it was a Tripoli High Power launch, thar be nay much selection for 24mm motors. Arrr! I was able t' purchase a three-pack o' E28-7's which allowed me t' fly t' Big Daddy™.
I prepped it usin' a Heat Shield and had swapped out t' plastic parachute with an 18" nylon one.
With a picturesque view o' mountains in t' back and a beautiful Arizonia day, matey, I put t' Big Daddy™ up for her maiden voyage. T' E28 popped it off t' pad and it was straight and stable. It was still travelin' up when t' ejection charge went off but deployed fine. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey! Descent rate was good and thar was no damage upon impact. Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! All-in-all a nice flight. Avast! Blimey!
For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this kit 4½ points. This is only based off o' one flight, however, me bucko, matey, ya bilge rat, as I am nay t' first one writin' a review on t' Big Daddy™ and by lookin' at t' flight logs I think everyone would agree that this is a good flier. Ya scallywag! Others have also changed t' recovery system. Avast, me proud beauty! I will fly it again in t' spring.
Overall, arrr, t' Big Daddy is another very nice "stubby" rocket. Well, blow me down! After t' enhancement o' t' recovery system and strengthenin' t' fins, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I expect t' get a lot o' flights out o' this one. Ya scallywag! Estes only recommends their D12 motor, matey, however, this one is beggin' for Apogee (E6's) and Aerotech D-F motors. T' only problem for t' Apogee motor be t' length so use caution with your center o' gravity. Avast! I give t' kit an OVERALL ratin' o' 4½ points. Well, blow me down!
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T.T. (July 1, 1999)