Published: | 2010-07-31 |
Manufacturer: | Estes |
Brief:
This is a modified Estes Mini Max with a 4" longer body tube, inverted fins and Keelhaul®©™®
shock cord connected t' t' motor mount. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' model was built and t' review submitted as part o' t' 2010 EMRR
Challenge for t' "Hit List" component.
Modifications:
Most o' this build was done per t' stock Estes Mini Max instructions.
T' followin' were deviations from t' original.
T' elastic shock cord was replaced by a 30" piece o' Keelhaul®©™® cord. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! This was mounted t' t' motor mount with a loop in t' cord behind t' forward centerin' ring.
T' fins were also mounted inverted t' t' original model.
T' screw eye was glued in t' balsa nose cone usin' 15 minute epoxy.
Construction:
Finishing:
T' balsa fins and nose cone were very good quality and were easy t' sand smooth and finish. Ya scallywag!
Fillets were applied t' t' fins and launch lug and let t' dry. Blimey!
T' instructions called for fillin' and sandin' t' nose cone and fins. Begad! Blimey! I did this, me hearties, but did nay fill t' body tube spirals.
I wanted t' compare t' different t' a stock Mini Max I built and had filled t' spirals on t' body tube. Blimey! Blimey! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey!
Fillin' in t' spirals does make a difference.
I used cheaper ColorPlace primer and paint from Wal-Mart with very good results. Arrr! It's about 1/3 t' cost o' the Krylon they sell and I often get better results with t' cheaper one. Both brands are made by t' same company. Ahoy!
T' waterslide decals are applied last. Ya scallywag! Arrr! After they had dried for a day, I painted Future floor wax over them with a fine, shiver me timbers, flat paint brush t' seal and protect them.
Flight:
I flew all 3 flights on Estes A3-4T motors and all flights were great. Begad! We did have an issue
with a dirty clip on t' first drag race, but that was no fault o' t' rocket...
Recovery:
Recovery on t' Estes 12" parachute was perfect. Ahoy! Even in t' wind, arrr, matey, me hearties, we did nay have t' go
far t' collect t' rocket and thar be no damage after 3 flights on t' A3-4T motors.
Summary:
This modification actually turned out really nice. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Many people at t' field actually like it
better than t' stock Estes Mini Max. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! I like them both as a pair myself. Aye aye! Blimey! They are fun little kits t' build that look
great.
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