Quest Space Shuttle Intrepid

Quest - Space Shuttle Intrepid {Kit} (4002)

Contributed by Andy Hobbs

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Published: 2010-08-09
Diameter: 1.58 inches
Manufacturer: Quest
Skill Level: 4
Style: Futuristic/Exotic, Glider

Quest Shuttle IntrepedBrief:
Quest's new Shuttle Intrepid is a booster glider combination. Blimey! T' booster is based on a T40 tube. T' glider rides "piggy back" on t' top o' t' booster. Blimey! At ejection t' Booster deploys a 14" parachute and t' glider is released into a slowly spiralin' decent.

Modifications:
Minor assembly sequence changes and a relocated launch lug.

Construction:
T' components consist of:

  • 1)motor mount clip
  • 1)18mm set o' motor mount parts
  • 3)sheets o' die-cut balsa
  • 1 ea)Large and small nosecones
  • 1)12" long booster body tube
  • 1)4.375"long glider body tube
  • 1)coupler for t' small nosecone
  • 1)1/8x2" launch lug
  • 1)1/8x1" launch lug
  • 1)1/8x1" dowel
  • 1)18"length o' elastic cord
  • 1)18" length o' Keelhaul®©™ cord
  • 1)14" parachute
  • 1)pack o' 26" shroud lines
  • 1)set o' tyvek gripper tabs
  • 1)set o' waterslide decals

Quest Shuttle IntrepedT' instructions were well presented and treat t' booster and glider as two separate projects.

This is a skill level 4 kit, me hearties, me hearties, and deservingly so. Avast, me proud beauty! There is a lot o' lumber t' fill and sand. Begad! T' need t' trim t' glider makes t' kit a little more challenging, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, as well.

I did nay deviate from t' instructions except for two items.

T' aft edge o' t' main win' on t' booster shows one win' deck glued t' t' center o' t' main wing,the kit supplied two win' decks and I glued both o' them in place.

I built t' Booster and t' Glider wings at t' same time as I felt it be easier t' glue and sand on one set while t' other was drying.

I built t' win' assemblies on wax paper and weighted them down with books as they dried

I masked off t' balsa areas that were t' be glued with tape and applied fill and finish.Once t' sealer dried I removed t' tape and sanded t' surfaces smooth.

T' second item I did differently was t' placement o' t' 1" launch lug on t' main tube. T' instructions show a dimension o' 3.125 from t' aft o' t' lug t' t' aft end o' t' main tube. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I believe this is wrong. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! T' correct dimension should be 2.875.

I called Quest about this mistake, but I never got through t' t' right person. Avast! Blimey! Other than this mistake, if t' directions are closely followed, t' kit will go together well.

Finishing:
T' finishin' job was a little tedious. T' suggested paintscheme consists o' 3 colors (White,Black,Grey).

T' Finishin' instructions are very detailed and give a lot o' good tips for paintin' and decalin' t' model. T' decals are very nice and include a lot o' different colors and details. Aye aye! T' finished model looks great! With a little time and patience you will have a sharp lookin' flier.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' last 2 pages o' t' instructions provide tips on trimmin' t' glider and preppin' t' rocket for flight.

For best results t' glider should be painted as lightly as possible, if at all.

I made t' mistake o' applyin' too much paint t' me glider, ya bilge rat, and it suffered somewhat from t' added weight o' t' paint.

Usin' t' C6-3, t' ejection charge be a little past apogee.

My model came out at 2.4oz without motor and performs quite well on t' C6 reachin' about 450ft altitude.

Good for flyin' on a small field.

Quest Shuttle IntrepedRecovery:
I found I didn't need t' add noseweight t' t' glider but it came down in a somewhat steep spiral. Ahoy! Overall nay too bad o' a glide, just a little fast.

T' Booster recovers on a 14" chute and just slow enough t' keep damage t' a minimum. Begad! T' winglets are easily damaged and will nay fair well on a hard surface landing. I suggest buildin' t' wings nice and strong.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I bought T' Quest Shuttle for a few dollars less than an Orbital Transport typically goes for.

With t' diecut balsa, Quest's Shuttle is nay as challengin' t' build as Estes' Orbital Transport, me hearties, ya bilge rat, but it still deserves t' skill level 4 designation.

This kit would make a good upscale or kitbash project, arrr, as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Quest Space Shuttle Intrepid By Bill Michaels (July 8, 2007)

    Brief: Rocket releases small glider. Construction: Booster has large balsa wing-like fins with smaller fins on the wingtips. NC is plastic. Shock cord is the typical Quest Kevlar ® string attached to the motor mount that transitions to an elastic cord. A 14 inch parachute is used. Laser cutting on the fins is excellent. The parts are precisely cut and fit well. ...

Flights

Comments:

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J.T.L. (April 2, 2004)
I recommend this kit if you are looking for a boost-glider. It is very enjoyable to fly! Definitely use the C6-3 over the B6-4. My experience with the construction of the kit was frustrating for two quality-control related reasons. First, when I opened the parts bag the parachute material was attached to the decal sheet. Peeling off the chute ruined the decals. Second, the die-cut balsa parts were more like "die-gauged" balsa parts. The balsa was fixed with some TLC & Fill-N-Finish. My fix to the decal problem was to make my own set. I added some NASA meatball logos to both the booster and glider to jazz them up a bit. I painted the glider yellow to make it easier to track the little thing and to remind me of the Centuri Space Shuttle.
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C.E.D. (July 10, 2004)
Weird. I was reading an opinion of the SS Intrepid and realized I had the exact same problem: the parachute had fused itself against the decals, ruining both. Thanks to some communication with Bill Stine, he sent me replacement parts free of charge. Secondly, there is a least one extra balsa piece, which is not explained in the instructions. Also, the quality of my balsa in particular is a little "spongy", making it a burden to sand and shape. Other than that, the kit is a fun build.

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