Edmonds Aerospace Tinee

Edmonds Aerospace - Tinee {Kit} (TINEE)

Contributed by Kevin Johnson

Manufacturer: Edmonds Aerospace
Skill Level: 1
Style: Glider
Rating
(Contributed - by Kevin Johnson)

Rocket PicBrief:
13mm canard boost glider.

Construction:
T' kit includes: 5 laser cut balsa parts, me bucko, me hearties, 1 balsa nose cone, 1 13mm motor pod tube, me bucko, and 1 launch lug.

I ordered me kit from DiscountRocketry and it came bagged with all t' parts and 1 8x11 inch sheet o' instructions. There was a crack in me wing, shiver me timbers, matey, but it didn't go all t' way through and be easily fixed with a little glue before construction started.

T' instruction sheet was clear and t' illustrations were easy t' read and showed where all t' pieces fit together. Ya scallywag! All you need t' build this kit is a tube o' white glue. Aye aye! This kit is geared t' be a "first" boost glide model and would be a great project for young hobbyists t' complete with their parents. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' typical Edmonds interlockin' design makes for a quick and accurate buildin' experience.

Finishing:
T' kit didn't come with any decals, and t' finished glider looks great in the bare balsa. I did color mine usin' magic markers t' make it easier t' track in the sky. Arrr! Aye aye! I got joshed a little for usin' green and yellow though.. Aye aye! nothin' like huntin' for a grass-colored rocket!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
There isn't any mention o' glide testin' t' TINEE in t' instructions. Avast! I found, like its bigger brothers, matey, this model tracked straight and true when built followin' t' directions. Ahoy! Preppin' this kit is easy since t' ejection charge spits t' spent casin' out o' t' pod. Aye aye! Begad! Just be careful if you fly from a dry range, and call "heads up".

My first flight be on a 1/2A3-2T and was a partial success. Ya scallywag! After a nice straight boost t' ejection charge went off and broke t' fuselage right behind the canards. Ahoy! I found all t' parts and took it home for some repair work. Arrr! I'd probably recommend coatin' t' body just behind t' canards with thin CA for added strength before your first flight, arrr, which is what I did t' repair the damage sustained. Aye aye!

On t' second flight, arrr, arrr, again with a 1/2A3-2T, me hearties, everythin' went as just as you'd expect. Another good boost and after ejection a quick half-loop into a nice flat glide. Avast! Begad!

Recovery:
T' TINEE doesn't have a lot o' win' area so I don't think you'd be likely to see it fly over t' horizon, shiver me timbers, never t' be seen again. Aye aye! That said, t' glides are really nice, shiver me timbers, and for a young flyer seein' somethin' they built actually work well will make this kit one o' their favorites. Begad! Avast!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I can't think o' any cons for this kit. T' ease o' assembly and quality laser cut components are typical o' Edmonds product. Avast, me proud beauty! If you have a junior rocketeer that wants t' build somethin' more than a 3FNC, shiver me timbers, me hearties, or have never built a boost glider before, matey, t' TINEE should be your first choice. Begad!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Edmonds Aerospace Tinee By John Lee (September 20, 2008)

    Brief: This is a low power, 13mm motor mounted rocket glider. I have had uniformly bad luck with every glider I have attempted. For the most part, the just crash. In one case it crashed and burned. In the case of the Cosmos Mariner, I just kind of lost heart and it has sat partially assembled for over a year. I have, however, heard good things about Edmond's Aerospace and ...

Flights

Comments:

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K.R.J. (April 1, 2001)
My son won a Tinee in a contest hosted by Lawn Dart Rocketry and SoAR. The quality of the kit blew me away! Everything fit perfectly, and assembly took a whopping 10 minutes, not counting glue-drying time. I couldn't find any of the recommended motors, but it flies GREAT on an A3-4T. Even after smacking a tree limb it suffered no damage. This kit should be on every glider fan's wish list.
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D.J. (July 1, 2001)
Flew my Tinee for the first time on 06/22/01; Chose an A3-4T for first flight, and what a site that was. During Boost, the Tinee did 3 or 4 high speed barrel rolls all over the sky, then settled out during coast. When the ejection charge blew, it was as if someone had flung the Tinee out of a slingshot. It settled into a beautiful, straight glide, and flew for about 3/4 of a mile (!). After searching for about 15 minutes, it was finally found by one of the 4 additional searchers. All in all, easy to build and a blast to fly. SUGGESTIONS-I am painting my Tinee Chartreuse or Neon Red, as natural balsa blends in much too well with a large grassy field mowed to about 6 inches. I'll gladly sacrifice a little extra weight for the chance of finding it. Also, I'm going to go with a 1/4A3-3T next time.
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G.A.D (June 25, 2002)
Our Tinee liked to waggle a bit on boost, but always stayed more or less vertical. The glide was very nice. We made the mistake of trying an A3 at the last launch. After gliding for a while the Tinee lodged in the very top of the tallest tree around (and they grow tall in California!). That glider was well up there. We'll build another and stick to 1/2 motors.

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