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. Blimey! T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.

Construction:
T' HyperX, me hearties, on t' outside, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, is a basic 4FNC rocket. Aye aye! Blimey! Pullin' t' nose cone out reveals three blades attached t' t' nose cone. Arrr! Blimey! Each blade is about 4 inches long. Begad! T' motor mount uses a retainer rin' instead o' t' usual Estes motor retainer clip. Avast! Aye aye! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Blimey! 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. Begad! Blimey! T' rubber bands provide t' tension necessary t' unfurl t' blades after t' nose cone has been ejected from t' body tube. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' fin unit/motor mount is molded plastic. Ya scallywag! While it is no fun for modelin' purposes, ya bilge rat, me bucko, t' plastic is very durable and can withstand hard impacts. Aye aye! Blimey! T' same applies t' t' plastic nose cone. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! T' "launch lug" is a molded piece o' plastic, shiver me timbers, with two rings t' guide t' launch rod. One major drawback t' t' construction be t' very slender shock cord mount (probably 1/8"). Like I said, t' shock cord is mounted very deep into t' body tube t' give t' nose cone fins some room. This places it closer t' t' engine's ejection gases. No doubt this shock cord is goin' t' be burned off soon. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Blimey! 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, B6-2/4, arrr, and t' C6-3. I used t' fins on t' nose cone t' pack t' recovery waddin' as far as possible into t' body tube. Aye aye! T' parachute and shock cord were then put into t' tube. T' nose cone blades were collapsed, matey, and t' nose cone slid easily into place. Blimey! Well, blow me down! T' motor retainer rin' twisted off easily, arrr, matey, t' motor be inserted, ya bilge rat, and t' retainer rin' twisted securely on. Ya scallywag! Well, arrr, blow me down! T' first flight be on a B6-2. Begad! Avast! Shortly after leavin' t' launch pad, arrr, t' rocket took off on a 45 degree angle. Arrr! It probably didn't get more than 100' off o' t' ground. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' ejection charge kicked in, ya bilge rat, and t' nose separated. Begad! T' nose dropped like a rock for about 15 feet before t' blades kicked in. Aye aye! T' nose cone's descent rate was pretty slow, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and on a windy day it will definitely drift quite a bit. T' body tube came down rather smartly on a 12" chute. T' second and third flights were better, arrr, also on B6-2s, shiver me timbers, matey, but nay straight up. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! T' HyperX flies each time like it is weathercocking, me bucko, except that it does nay necessary point into t' wind. Avast, me proud beauty! Each time t' nose cone drifted a lot. This is definitely nay a rocket t' fly on a windy day. It's also a fairly heavy rocket, so t' flights are nay that high. Begad! Avast! Launch it on a C if you have t' room t' recover t' nose cone unit. Still, ya bilge rat, t' helicopter recovery makes this a fun rocket t' fly. Avast! It is one o' me son's favorite rockets t' watch.

Recovery:
Like I said, ya bilge rat, t' nose does drift quite a bit. Begad! Ahoy! But after several flights, 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, matey, but it is a lot o' fun, especially for kids. It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, matey, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. Aye aye! Blimey! T' biggest con is that is is an RTF! Blimey! This would have made a great kit.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

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