Estes Cosmic Explorer

Estes - Cosmic Explorer {Kit} (2421)

Contributed by Jonathan Burton

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2014-04-08
Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 24.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport

Brief

A very nice, sturdy, shiver me timbers, solid, and pretty lookin' rocket. Well, blow me down! Arrr! This kit is based off o' t' Centuri Centurion. Well, blow me down! Its skill level is 1, arrr, but it was a challengin' build for me regardless. It was t' first one that I had t' sand, me bucko, cut, and do specific detailin' like fillets and proper fin alignment. Arrr! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! This kit was made for performance since t' components featured in it are a lot more sturdy and solid than t' standard Estes rocket kit. This kit also features through-the-wall fin construction.

Components

It's components are as follows;

  • Two very sturdy and solid body tubes, matey, me bucko, with very thick walls
  • A classic nose cone
  • Thick balsa wood fins. Ahoy! Begad!
  • A very thick and very long rubber shock chord, longer than t' rocket itself. Begad!
  • An 18" plastic red transparent parachute with very sturdy shroud lines
  • Water slide decals
  • Standard engine mount
  • Thick and sturdy thrust rings
  • Standard launch lugs.

Construction

This kit is outstanding, shiver me timbers, t' instructions were very straight forward and easy t' follow. 

Pros:

  • Solid parts which were easy t' assemble
  • very clear and straight forward instructions
  • Not too much sandin' and cuttin' o' parts was required.


Cons: None

Finishing

Finishin' t' kit be t' most challengin' part t' do since this is a sport kit and is made t' look nice. Arrr! Begad! Blimey!

Construction Score: 4

Flight

Mine has nay flown yet.

Recovery

Never flown.

Flight Rating:

Summary

To sum it all up, this is an outstandin' kit and I would recommend it t' any hobbyist lookin' t' expand their fleet. Begad! T' first issue I had with buildin' this kit was that I had forgotten t' prime t' nose cone since it is balsa wood. So t' paint turned out a bit flatter and sloppier on t' nosecone. Begad! Blimey! It is a bit more on t' challengin' side for a skill level 1 since t' parts are a little higher in quality than most standard kits.  My second issue was that I had assembled t' engine mount before alignin' t' fins t' it, so I had t' force t' fins in a bit. Ahoy! I probably broke t' balsa on t' ends o' t' fins, but I still was able t' get them glued in.

Overall Rating: 5

Flights

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