Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Diameter: | 1.33 inches |
Length: | 17.70 inches |
Manufacturer: | Estes ![]() |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Futuristic/Exotic, Glider |
Brief:
Two Parasite Gliders lofted by an easy t' build rocket.
Construction:
T' rocket parts include two body tubes, me hearties, plastic fincan halves, me bucko, fins, launch lug and nosecone. Ahoy! T' recovery system consists o' a pre-made plastic parachute, me bucko, and an elastic shock cord. Begad! T' gliders are made from foam parts, me hearties, arrr, each with a plastic launch hook and a set o' decals. T' foam wings have two adhesive strips on them that are use in t' assembly o' t' gliders.
Assembly is quick and easy. Ya scallywag! T' two motor mount halves are glued together. Well, blow me down! Begad! Then followin' t' header card picture, t' fins and launch lug are glued onto t' fincan, and t' lower body tube is glued into place. After t' glue sets, t' tube coupler is glued onto t' top o' t' lower body tube. Begad! It is important t' align t' launch lug on t' tube coupler with t' lug on t' fincan. Aye aye! Then t' upper body tube is glued on t' top o' t' tube coupler. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' shock cord is attached t' t' rocket usin' t' standard glue-and-fold paper method. Begad! T' parachute is pre-made, arrr, but put a dab o' glue on each nay t' prevent them from becomin' undone.
T' Gliders are made o' foam. Arrr! T' launch hooks o' t' gliders are glued into t' t' foam bodies with white glue. Then t' fuselage decals are applied, me hearties, me bucko, care has t' be given, since t' decals can only be applied once. Ahoy! Usin' a knife, t' slots for t' vertical stabilizer are cut into t' decal. Begad! Avast! T' stabilizer is then glued onto t' body. T' decals for t' wings are applied, matey, ya bilge rat, and then folded t' give t' win' t' right angle. Begad! Do nay fold them t' much (the instructions recommendation is t' much) because t' wings will crack. Ya scallywag! Once t' desired angle is achieved, me bucko, t' backin' on t' adhesive is removed. Begad! Attachin' t' wings is easy.
Finishing:
Since t' rocket already has its decals in place for you and t' gliders decals are applied durin' assemble, thar be really no finishin' stage o' this rocket. Begad! T' only problem I see be t' gliders loosely hang from t' side o' t' rocket. This may cause premature deployment o' t' gliders. Arrr! They should have some support on t' boosters fins so t' gliders wings have somethin' t' rest upon.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
Because o' t' snow, I did nay have t' opportunity t' properly trim t' gliders. Avast, me proud beauty! I knew that they we too nose heavy, and no amount o' adjustin' t' elevators be goin' t' fix that. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! T' glider needed some clay t' add t' t' tail. Ahoy! On t' first o' March, arrr, I got t' opportunity t' fly t' rocket. I went over t' Phillip Exeter Academy in Exeter, shiver me timbers, NH t' witness their Team America Challenge flights. Besides their two challenge flights, we also flew some regular rockets. Ahoy! I loaded me Shuttle with a B6-4. Avast, me proud beauty! There was t' problems o' t' gliders blowin' around on t' booster while t' rocket sat on t' launch pad. Blimey! Once I adjusted t' rocket so t' gliders would nay sway, shiver me timbers, t' countdown commenced and t' rocket shot off with a B6-4. Well, blow me down! Very nice flight, me bucko, but as predicted, t' gliders nose dived into t' snow. When warmer weather comes, me bucko, I plan t' properly trim t' gliders usin' clay, shiver me timbers, and I may add somethin' t' t' fins t' prevent t' gliders from swayin' on t' booster.
Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5
Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5
The modern, E2X reincarnation of the ARV Condor, this kit is a quick, easy build and eye-catching design. At apogee, (2) separate gliders break free to circle the field while the main rocket eases down under chute. The 2003 Estes line seems to be carefully packed, with each body tube enclosed in plastic. The nose cone is an unusual appearance, with a raised canopy and a duct area underneath. ...
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Date | Flyer | Rocket | Altitude |
---|---|---|---|
2020-05-30 | Ty Bliss | Shuttle Xpress | 300 Feet |
2018-09-30 | Matt McLaughlin | Shuttle Xpress | - |
2018-03-18 | Matt McLaughlin | Shuttle Xpress | - |
2016-04-30 | D11Rok | Shuttle Express | - |
2016-03-12 | D11Rok | Shuttle Express | - |
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C.S. (March 17, 2003)