Estes Optima

Estes - Optima {Kit} (2035) [1990-1994]

Contributed by Eric Fletcher

Diameter: 2.60 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 3
Style: Sport
Estes - Optima
(Contributed - by Eric Fletcher ) 

Height - 43"
Width - 2.56"
Weight - 17oz
Motor - 24mm

Brief
This is an Estes single stage rocket t' be flown on D size engines. Begad!

Construction
T' kit came in a hangin' box display and be packaged very well. Ahoy! All t' parts were intact. Arrr! Begad! I think it be manufactured before they had skill levels on the box. Ahoy! But I would say probably a skill level 2. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' tube couplers were nay quite long enough t' keep t' body tubes straight. Avast, me proud beauty! As long as you keep an eye on them while gluin' thar be no problem.

Finishing
T' kit be painted with standard krylon paint. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! And t' decals went on very nicely. Begad! All in all it is a very good lookin' rocket. Arrr! Ya scallywag!

Flight
T' first flight was on a D12-7 and t' delay was t' long. Arrr! It opened on t' way down, me bucko, and thar was no damage. Well, blow me down! T' second flight was on an E30-4 and it flies great. Begad! Opened at apogee perfectly. Arrr! Aye aye! I have had at least 20 flights without a single problem. Avast! Avast!

I am plannin' on tryin' F24-7 and F39-10 Aerotech reloads. Begad! Blimey!

Recovery
I did nay use t' supplied shock cord. Well, blow me down! I used 1/8" elastic cord about 5' long epoxied a loop t' t' inside o' t' tube. Avast, me proud beauty! I also made me own rip stop nylon chute. Begad! 24" with a 2" spill hole. Ya scallywag! Avast! It floats down really nice. Avast! I have never had any damage on this rocket. Begad!

Summary
Overall I would say that this is a great kit. Ya scallywag! If you can find it, it is well worth building. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! It be kind o' on t' pricy side but for t' number o' flights I have had it is very reasonable. T' only thin' I would change is t' have the body couplers a little longer. Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 ½ out o' 5

Flights

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