Estes Photon Disruptor II

Estes - Photon Disruptor II {Kit} (2052) [1991-1992]

Contributed by David Fergus

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 24.56 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

 

PicBrief:
This is a futuristic design, shiver me timbers, 18mm engine, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, 2.7 oz., shiver me timbers, 24 inches long, ya bilge rat, 1.3 inch diameter, parachute recovery. Well, blow me down! It is now obsolete, but still available in surplus outlets.

Construction:
Construction o' this rocket is very straightforward as is typical with Estes kits. Begad! Avast! There be plenty o' balsa t' cut t' patterns for all t' extra little fins. T' only construction deviation was t' use Pratt braided Keelhaul®©™ rather than t' paper fold shock cord. I also ditched t' old style rubber shock cord and use t' modern stuff that is longer.

Finishing:
Paintin' was easy, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, arrr, primer followed by gloss white, then mask off for t' orange stripe and paint it. Well, blow me down! Arrr! There were lots o' water slide decals and they go on fine on t' glossy Krylon. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! I then put a couple o' coats o' Krylon clear over it t' protect t' decals.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
It has flown twice on B6-4, once on a C6-5, and once on a C6-3. T' C6-3 had a slightly early ejection, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but other flights were fine. Arrr! It has usually flown at club launches with a science fiction theme. Begad! I don’t fly it a lot as it looks really nice.

Recovery:
T' kit came with a 12 inch orange parachute, and I prefer t' use t' 18 inch purple chute because t' smaller engine tube where it connects t' t' larger body tube is a potential weak spot for comin' in too fast.  It shows a little warpin' o' t' smaller engine tube after four flights.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
PRO: nice lookin' kit with good materials, and flies well.
CON: none

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flights

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