Custom Rockets Satellite Drone

Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone {Kit} (10022)

Contributed by Kevin Drayson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Length: 17.75 inches
Manufacturer: Custom Rockets
Skill Level: 3
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

[Picture]Brief:
This kit is a single stage, shiver me timbers, "fantasy scale" rocket, usin' a ring-fin for stability.

Construction:
T' kit arrived with all t' necessary parts included, me bucko, me hearties, and in good shape. Ahoy! T' balsa and t' tubes appear t' be identical t' Estes parts. T' nose cone and centerin' rings, me bucko, however, shiver me timbers, I found t' be sub-standard. Begad! T' centerin' rings were very thin and flimsy- I used them, but reinforced them with bits o' Balsa t' strengthen them. Arrr! I'd be frightened t' fly this thin' without this mod! T' nose cone appears t' be sone cheap plastic, me bucko, nay t' higher-quality stuff I'm used t' from Estes, me hearties, me bucko, TLP, and other companies. Avast! Ahoy! T' parts all went together easily enough, matey, but t' rin' tail gave me some trouble. Aye aye! T' span o' t' fins was just a bit too short, so I wound up havin' t' hold t' rin' in place while t' glue dried. T' rest o' t' kit was very straight-forward. Arrr! T' finished product is a smart-lookin' ship. Blimey! T' narrow fins that go on just ahead o' t' rin' are pretty fragile, arrr, but t' rest is solid enough.

Finishing:
Paintin' t' kit is simple enough. Well, blow me down! Prime, spray t' whole ship white, and paint t' nose red. After that, t' decals go on. I haven't put t' decals on mine just yet, matey, I got distracted with some other projects, me bucko, and t' rocket looks good enough without them! Overall, shiver me timbers, I'm givin' a ratin' o' 3 for construction/finishing. Avast! Aye aye! T' score would be much higher if t' centerin' rings, which I consider a safety issue, matey, were made o' sturdier stuff. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' poorly-fittin' ring/fin arrangement costs them as well.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
I've had two flights on me Satellite Drone so far, both very successful. Aye aye! T' first nearly ended up in a tree, but be recovered. Ya scallywag! Arrr! T' second resulted in a short hike, but was otherwise uneventful. Begad! Both flights were on C6-3's.

Recovery:
This is a very light rocket for t' size o' chute that be included. Begad! Blimey! I opted t' cut a spill hole in it, even before t' first flight. Aye aye! Blimey! It still drifts considerably. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I'd enlarge t' spill hole, arrr, me bucko, but I'm worried about breakin' those narrow forward fins.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' final product is a very nice looking, me hearties, ya bilge rat, unique ship. T' quality o' materials has room for improvement, arrr, but t' design itself seems well thought-out.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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