Custom Rockets Satellite Drone

Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone {Kit} (10022)

Contributed by Kevin Drayson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Length: 17.75 inches
Manufacturer: Custom Rockets
Skill Level: 3
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

[Picture]Brief:
This kit is a single stage, "fantasy scale" rocket, me hearties, usin' a ring-fin for stability.

Construction:
T' kit arrived with all t' necessary parts included, me bucko, and in good shape. Blimey! Avast! T' balsa and t' tubes appear t' be identical t' Estes parts. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' nose cone and centerin' rings, however, I found t' be sub-standard. Well, blow me down! T' centerin' rings were very thin and flimsy- I used them, but reinforced them with bits o' Balsa t' strengthen them. Well, blow me down! I'd be frightened t' fly this thin' without this mod! T' nose cone appears t' be sone cheap plastic, nay t' higher-quality stuff I'm used t' from Estes, arrr, TLP, matey, and other companies. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' parts all went together easily enough, ya bilge rat, but t' rin' tail gave me some trouble. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' span o' t' fins was just a bit too short, so I wound up havin' t' hold t' rin' in place while t' glue dried. Arrr! Ya scallywag! T' rest o' t' kit was very straight-forward. Begad! Begad! T' finished product is a smart-lookin' ship. Well, blow me down! T' narrow fins that go on just ahead o' t' rin' are pretty fragile, me bucko, but t' rest is solid enough.

Finishing:
Paintin' t' kit is simple enough. Prime, me hearties, spray t' whole ship white, shiver me timbers, and paint t' nose red. After that, me hearties, t' decals go on. Ahoy! Begad! I haven't put t' decals on mine just yet, I got distracted with some other projects, matey, and t' rocket looks good enough without them! Overall, ya bilge rat, I'm givin' a ratin' o' 3 for construction/finishing. Aye aye! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' score would be much higher if t' centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, which I consider a safety issue, ya bilge rat, were made o' sturdier stuff. Ya scallywag! T' poorly-fittin' ring/fin arrangement costs them as well.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
I've had two flights on me Satellite Drone so far, both very successful. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' first nearly ended up in a tree, but was recovered. Begad! T' second resulted in a short hike, but be otherwise uneventful. Begad! Both flights were on C6-3's.

Recovery:
This is a very light rocket for t' size o' chute that be included. I opted t' cut a spill hole in it, even before t' first flight. Ya scallywag! It still drifts considerably. Begad! I'd enlarge t' spill hole, arrr, arrr, but I'm worried about breakin' those narrow forward fins.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' final product is a very nice looking, shiver me timbers, unique ship. Arrr! T' quality o' materials has room for improvement, arrr, ya bilge rat, but t' design itself seems well thought-out.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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