| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Published: | 2020-07-27 |
| Diameter: | 0.98 inches |
| Length: | 19.50 inches |
| Manufacturer: | Estes  |
| Skill Level: | 2 |
| Style: | Futuristic/Exotic |
Brief
I'm always keepin' an eye on eBay for out-of-production kits. About a year ago I spotted an Estes Starbird kit. It had been opened, arrr, which must have hurt interest as I was t' only bidder. All parts were accounted for and I was happy for me good fortune. Blimey! While essentially a 3FNC rocket, t' three-section fins move it t' t' realm o' t' unusual. It's nay an easy kit t' find these days, ya bilge rat, but plans with fin templates are available on rocketshoppe.com.
Components
- BT-50L Body Tube - 12.7"
- BT-20 motor mount tube
- PNC-50Y nose cone
- Engine Hook
- 1/8" lunch lug
- 2 x CR2050 centerin' rings
- Engine block/thrust ring
- 1/8" dowel rod - 12" long
- 3/32" balsa fins
- 18" rubber band shock cord
- 12" parachute
- Waterslide decals
Construction
I always start with t' motor mount. Aye aye! This be t' standard 18mm motor mount you have built many times if you have built any Estes kits. T' fins must be assembled prior t' gluin' them onto t' body tube. A template is provided for buildin' t' fins. Each fin is three separate pieces. You have t' cut three 4" sections o' t' 1/8" dowel rod. Begad! T' dowel rod is then sandwiched betwixt t' inner and outer sections o' each fin. Arrr! Ahoy! T' only con be t' dowel rod is 1/32" thicker than t' balsa sections o' t' fins. I placed some wax paper over t' fin template and overlaid t' fin pieces over t' plan, matey, me hearties, gluin' each balsa t' t' wooden dowel. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! This resulted in one side o' t' find bein' flat, while t' dowel sticks up 1/32" on t' other side. I didn't think it was worth t' trouble t' attempt centerin' t' 3/32" fin sections on t' 1/8" dowel. I think it worked out fine, me hearties, as it's nay really noticeable without lookin' closely. Ya scallywag! Once t' fins are assembled, me bucko, a fin markin' guide can be used in conjunction with t' proverbial door frame t' make your fin mountin' lines on t' tube. I used Titebond II t' tack on t' fins and then added Titebond II filets. Avast!
The shock cord be t' rubber band variety and uses t' standard Estes Tri-fold mount. Well, blow me down! I tied on another 15" o' elastic band t' hopefully eliminate any chance o' a zipper. Begad! Finally, I assembled t' parachute. Avast! For some reason, matey, ya bilge rat, puttin' together t' parachute is one o' me least favorite tasks o' buildin' a rocket. Blimey! Arrr! I did remember t' glue t' launch lug t' t' body tube prior t' painting, arrr, somethin' I've been known t' forget. T' plastic nose cone is two parts. I used plastic model cement t' glue t' shoulder into t' nose cone. Avast! Aye aye!
I would put this at a level two build due t' t' multi-part fins, ya bilge rat, arrr, but really anyone with any build experience can handle this one. Finished, me hearties, me Starbird weighed 1.67 ounces without a motor.
Pros: Usual Estes components. Clear instructions.
Cons: Rubber band shock cord. Aye aye! Arrr! Blimey! Dowel rod thicker than balsa fin sections
Finishing
Finish is pretty easy for this one, arrr, as t' entire rocket is yellow. Well, blow me down! Begad! First I sealed t' fins with GWF. Begad! Arrr! My only issue with GWF is it makes a heck o' a mess while you sand it.
I tend t' use Rustoleum or Ace Hardware's in-house brand for t' painting. I have a bad habit o' goin' t' heavy and havin' t' sand off runs but I did a pretty good job on this one.
Despite t' age o' t' kit, I found t' waterslide decals were still in good condition laid down nicely. Arrr! Arrr! I then gave everythin' a clear coat. Begad! Despite t' single-color paint scheme, me hearties, t' decals really pop and add a lot t' t' Sci-Fi appearance o' t' model.
Flight
I have flown this model twice. Blimey! First time on a B4-4 and t' second flight was a B6-4. Obviously a little quicker off t' pad with t' B6-4 but performance was excellent on both flights. Begad! Straight up and ejection, while nose-down, was just after apogee. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I would guess they were somewhere in t' range o' 500'. Avast! Nay sure if I will try this on a C motor. At an ounce and a half, a C may be out-of-sight.
Recovery
T' 12" parachute gave a good descent rate, shiver me timbers, although I suspect you could get by with a 9" chute. So far I've had no issues with t' rubber band shock cord, but just make sure t' use plenty o' wadding. I have nay used a spill hole but would consider that if I ever go with a C motor. Still, neither retrieval walk be long on t' two flights.
Summary
This is one excellent flyin' rocket. Blimey! T' three-section fins and attractive decals give it some eye appeal. It's nay an easy kit t' find, matey, but with t' plans and fin templates available online, buildin' a clone is nay a difficult project. All components are readily available. I've flown it in 10 MPH winds and it is just arrow straight.
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Flights
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