Estes HyperX

Estes - Hyper-X {Kit} (1804)

Contributed by Steve Terrell

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes
Style: Helicopter, RTF

Rocket PicBrief:
T' HyperX is an "Ready t' Fly" (RTF) that has a nose cone that comes down as a helicopter. Aye aye! T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.

Construction:
T' HyperX, on t' outside, is a basic 4FNC rocket. Begad! Ya scallywag! Pullin' t' nose cone out reveals three blades attached t' t' nose cone. Begad! Each blade is about 4 inches long. Begad! T' motor mount uses a retainer rin' instead o' t' usual Estes motor retainer clip. Blimey! Begad! Due t' t' length o' t' blades, t' shock cord is mounted WAY down t' body tube.

Since this is an RTF, thar be very little construction. Begad! Aye aye! Even t' chute was preassembled and attached t' t' shock cord. T' only assembly required be t' attach rubber bands t' t' nose cone blades. Blimey! T' rubber bands provide t' tension necessary t' unfurl t' blades after t' nose cone has been ejected from t' body tube. T' fin unit/motor mount is molded plastic. Well, arrr, blow me down! While it is no fun for modelin' purposes, ya bilge rat, t' plastic is very durable and can withstand hard impacts. Well, blow me down! T' same applies t' t' plastic nose cone. T' "launch lug" is a molded piece o' plastic, with two rings t' guide t' launch rod. Blimey! One major drawback t' t' construction be t' very slender shock cord mount (probably 1/8"). Ya scallywag! Like I said, t' shock cord is mounted very deep into t' body tube t' give t' nose cone fins some room. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! This places it closer t' t' engine's ejection gases. Aye aye! No doubt this shock cord is goin' t' be burned off soon. Well, blow me down! Remountin' t' shock cord at t' same depth might be tricky.

Finishing:
No finishin' necessary.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
Recommended motors are t' B4-2, me bucko, shiver me timbers, B6-2/4, shiver me timbers, and t' C6-3. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I used t' fins on t' nose cone t' pack t' recovery waddin' as far as possible into t' body tube. T' parachute and shock cord were then put into t' tube. Begad! Blimey! T' nose cone blades were collapsed, and t' nose cone slid easily into place. T' motor retainer rin' twisted off easily, t' motor be inserted, arrr, and t' retainer rin' twisted securely on. Begad! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' first flight was on a B6-2. Arrr! Blimey! Shortly after leavin' t' launch pad, shiver me timbers, t' rocket took off on a 45 degree angle. Aye aye! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! It probably didn't get more than 100' off o' t' ground. Blimey! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' ejection charge kicked in, and t' nose separated. Begad! Blimey! T' nose dropped like a rock for about 15 feet before t' blades kicked in. Begad! Blimey! T' nose cone's descent rate was pretty slow, and on a windy day it will definitely drift quite a bit. Begad! Blimey! T' body tube came down rather smartly on a 12" chute. Avast! Blimey! T' second and third flights were better, also on B6-2s, ya bilge rat, but nay straight up. T' HyperX flies each time like it is weathercocking, me hearties, me hearties, except that it does nay necessary point into t' wind. Avast! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Each time t' nose cone drifted a lot. This is definitely nay a rocket t' fly on a windy day. Begad! Blimey! It's also a fairly heavy rocket, so t' flights are nay that high. Launch it on a C if you have t' room t' recover t' nose cone unit. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Still, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, t' helicopter recovery makes this a fun rocket t' fly. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It is one o' me son's favorite rockets t' watch.

Recovery:
Like I said, me hearties, shiver me timbers, t' nose does drift quite a bit. Ahoy! Blimey! But after several flights, ya bilge rat, t' only noticeable wear be t' typical scorch marks on t' shock cord.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
T' HyperX is nay a great flyin' rocket, but it is a lot o' fun, especially for kids. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. Arrr! Aye aye! T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. Arrr! T' biggest con is that is is an RTF! This would have made a great kit.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

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