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, me bucko, "fantasy scale" rocket, shiver me timbers, usin' a ring-fin for stability.

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

Finishing:
Paintin' t' kit is simple enough. Ahoy! Prime, ya bilge rat, spray t' whole ship white, me hearties, matey, and paint t' nose red. After that, t' decals go on. Avast! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I haven't put t' decals on mine just yet, shiver me timbers, I got distracted with some other projects, shiver me timbers, arrr, and t' rocket looks good enough without them! Overall, ya bilge rat, I'm givin' a ratin' o' 3 for construction/finishing. Well, blow me down! T' score would be much higher if t' centerin' rings, me hearties, which I consider a safety issue, were made o' sturdier stuff. Ya scallywag! 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, ya bilge rat, both very successful. Avast! T' first nearly ended up in a tree, shiver me timbers, but was recovered. Blimey! T' second resulted in a short hike, arrr, but was otherwise uneventful. Both flights were on C6-3's.

Recovery:
This is a very light rocket for t' size o' chute that be included. Well, blow me down! I opted t' cut a spill hole in it, even before t' first flight. Blimey! It still drifts considerably. I'd enlarge t' spill hole, 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, unique ship. Begad! T' quality o' materials has room for improvement, matey, but t' design itself seems well thought-out.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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