Estes U.S. Army Patriot M-104 (#2056)

Estes - Patriot M104 {Kit} (2056) [2004-2010]

Contributed by Ray King

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Published: 2010-08-01
Diameter: 1.64 inches
Length: 21.40 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: Scale

Brief:
I built this as part o' t' EMRR Challenge #7 as outlined I built this exactly as t' instructions specify and then built a second with me own modifications. Well, blow me down! Begad! This rocket is a Semi-Scale version o' t' US Army Patriot Air Defense Missile. Well, blow me down! T' rocket is designed t' use an 18mm engine and 12" parachute recovery.


Construction:

  • 2 – BT-60 White Body Tube (6.625” Long)
  • 1 - Yellow Body Tube (3.25” Long)
  • 1 – Blue 18mm Engine Tube
  • 1 - Nose Cone (#72057)
  • 2 - Body Tube Couplers
  • 1 - Launch Lug – 2.375” Long
  • 1 - Std Engine Hook
  • 1 - Green Engine Block
  • 2 - Engine Centerin' Rings
  • Balsa Fins (3/32” Pre-cut Sheet)
  • 18” – 1/8” Shock Cord
  • 12” Plastic Parachute
  • Decal Sheet

I have t' admit it has been a while since I built a rocket completely as t' instructions specify. Begad! Aye aye! T' construction be pretty basic and as usual t' Estes instructions were very good. Aye aye! Nice pictures and clear explanations where necessary. Begad! This is a basic four-fin rocket with no real "Gotchas." I would recommend makin' a copy o' pages 1 and 2 o' t' instructions prior t' cuttin' out t' tube markin' guide. Aye aye! Once you do this you lose some o' page 2 which could be helpful for any re-builds.

Finishing:
In this case I didn’t finish these because I ran out o' time t' get me review complete, so I chose t' fly this naked. I did apply a couple o' coats o' Emery’s Wood Putty thinned with water t' t' tube and fins. Ahoy! I sanded these smooth. My plan is t' paint both as t' instructions outline – I will add some pictures o' t' painted versions t' t' flight log pictures.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew this rocket on three different engines: A8-3, me bucko, B6-4 and C6-5. As I predicted, ya bilge rat, t' A8-3 was scary. Arrr! Blimey! T' rocket only flew about 100 feet, arrr, but t' parachute did deploy and t' rocket was recovered without damage. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' B6-4 and C6-5 were much better flights. There be very little wind and on t' C6-5 this rocket flies high – AWESOME!!!

Recovery:
On all three flights t' recovery was prefect, matey, as I mentioned above t' A8-3 is a little weak and t' parachute barely had time t' open. Ya scallywag! Blimey! On t' C6-5, even with t' 12" parachute, t' rocket took about 60+ second t' land.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Great Flights + Great Recovery = Great Rocket

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes Patriot M104 By Bill Eichelberger (April 25, 2014)

    After dodging temptation for several years, a deal on a Hobby Lobby clearance rack that I couldn't pass up made me the proud owner of an Estes Patriot M104 missile.  I originally bought it figuring that I'd find a use for the nose cone on another project, but as often happens when things lay around the shop, I eventually opened it up and built it.  Never one who cared for the ...

  • Estes U.S. Army Patriot M-104 (#2056) By Jim Bassham (May 11, 2010)

    Brief: A semi-scale model of the US Army anti-missile missile. A friend of mine said no Estes rocket built stock can survive more than twelve flights. I decided to prove him wrong with this kit. Construction: Two White Body Tubes One Yellow Body Tube Blue Motor Tube Two Red Couplers Mylar Ring Engine Hook Green Engine Block Cardboard Centering ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
B.S. (July 10, 2010)
I had two of these kits and unfortunately lost both. I don't remember how I lost the first one but the second went up on a C and drifted into trees... This was my fault though. However, the kit is nice and flies great! The only thing I don't like is that the kit's body tube came in two sections joined by a coupler. This didn't pose a problem for recovery though. I flew it on a D21 from AeroTech and it was gone. I lost sight of it but recovered in one piece. It was maybe 1/2 a mile away from the pad.

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