Estes - SR-71 Blackbird {Kit} (1942) [2004-2010]

Estes SR-71 Blackbird

Estes - SR-71 Blackbird {Kit} (1942) [2004-2010]

Contributed by Jon Revelle

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Diameter:	0.98 inches
Length:	19.00 inches
Manufacturer:	Estes
Skill Level:	2
Style:	Scale

Brief:
This is a scale model o' t' world's fastest jet. Estes brought it back in 2003 along with some other military rocket kits. Begad! Blimey! This one was t' original vintage version that was given t' me by me neighbor. Avast! Blimey! He said he built it sometime in t' 1970s, matey, it be missin' fins, and in need o' a parachute.

Rocket Pic Construction:
T' newer ones come in a bag with:

1 BT-50 body tube
2 shorter BT-50 body tubes
1 nose cone that looks like front o' jet
Plastic jet nozzles and noses
1 18mm motor mount
Paper Blackbird skin
2 sheets o' balsa for t' wings
Shock Cord
18" parachute
Launch lugs

Since I didn't build this one, I cannot tell you haw t' assemble it. Well, me bucko, blow me down! But it did need major repairs when I got it. Blimey! T' balsa is pre-cut and also came with an angle chart for t' tail feathers (rudders). Ya scallywag! T' parachute is in me opinion too big for t' body tube and looks like it could get stuck but still pops out in flight.

Rocket Pic Finishing:
Spray t' whole rocket flat black then applyin' t' decals.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew it twice. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! I set it up on a B6-4 for its first flight. Ya scallywag! Flew very straight and ejected t' chute at perfect apogee. Avast! It did drift a bit, shiver me timbers, so I recommend gettin' a 15" chute or somethin' smaller because t' fit is very tight.

Second flight went about t' same as t' previous flight but it didn't drift as much this time on t' way down. Arrr! Arrr! I would still go with a smaller chute.

Recovery:
Recovery is by an 18" plastic chute. Ahoy! I hate tryin' t' stuff 18" chutes into BT-50 body tubes as I get so scared o' it nay deploying. It uses about 4 sheets o' waddin' too. Avast, me proud beauty! It still surprises me when t' chute does deploy though. Begad! T' chute does brings t' Blackbird down perfectly.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a good kit for scale modelers. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! It provides a good thin' t' look at then fly it. I thank Estes for bringin' it back t' production.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews

Estes SR-71 Blackbird By Hank Helmen (November 20, 2008)
This is the Sport Scale SR-71 Blackbird Model Rocket. It is an 18mm motor with parachute recovery Estes challenge kit. The SR-71 was designed at the famous "Skunk Works" with a mission of high alititude reconnaissance! The Blackbird kit comes in a box with a color picture of the built kit on the outside. I built kit number EST-7003. It is labeled as a "Challenge" kit series with a skill ...
Estes SR-71 Blackbird By Eric Miller
This is a model of the United Stated Airforce 1962 spy reconnaissance plane. Still the fastest and highest flying plane in the world. When I opened the box I was mesmerized at all the pieces to the blackbird and a few I never used before. This is a Estes Challenger level kit. An appropriate classification since it was. This kit can be built with a ruler, hobby knife and white or yellow glue. ...
Estes SR-71 Blackbird By Paul Altman
Estes - SR-71 Blackbird ( Contributed - by Paul Altman) The SR-71 comes boxed like most Estes Challenger series kits. It is a level 3 and they aren't kidding but well worth the time. First thing you should do is look at the directions very carefully and note the pictures. Very important for the nose cone to fit well. I personally did not like the way you glue the fins together in ...

Flights

Comments:

D.S. (January 1, 2001)

I agree with everyone else about the construction of this kit. I found it much more satisfying to upgrade the engine to accommodate a 24mm motor. With just a tad more weight in the tip of the nose, and replacing the parachute with a streamer, it flies like a dream under D-12 power. I had much more fun flying it like this!

C.S (April 1, 2001)

This is a great kit, I am sorry it went by the wayside. I had numerous SR 71's. I added a 24 mm mount to one of mine and some corresponding nose weight and it goes great, out of site flights. Good reviews.

L.Z. (July 1, 2001)

This is one of my favorite rockets to watch fly. I enjoyed building it and flying it, The kit has only one snafu which will reveal it's self over time due to wear and tear. After repeated launches mine started to grab a bit of air where the shroud meets the nose cone. This usually happens on the initial acceleration and will result in slight, (usually less then 1") tear in the shroud. Visual effects can be interesting as the tear can cause the rocket to proceed horizontal shortly after leaving the rod. I have had this happen twice out of a dozen flights. In both cases the rocket still had good chute deployment and recovery. I am still working on a fix.

R.F. (July 1, 2001)

I had this rocket for 7 years and had a lot of launches with it. Tricky to build, but the results were very satisfying with a cool looking rocket. It did like to windcock, but was a fun rocket to launch and watch. It seemed to work best for me with C6-5 engines. One day, though, the 'chute didn't eject and the rocket was a lawn dart. the nose impacted, crushing the front body tube, which spelled the end of my favorite rocket.

M.K. (July 1, 2001)

I love this rocket. It flies straight up in to the air glides of a few seconds then comes back to the ground. The only hard part is making and attaching the wings.

G.M.K. (November 24, 2005)

Good review and many helpful tips. This is a very difficult bird to build but very rewarding when completed! Many people see it and ask if I modified a plastic model to fly. Have had four flights so far with mixed chute deployment. Have noticed that when it doesn't deploy fully the rocket body seems to go horizontal and does a flat spin on the way down. A good streamer may be the best recovery device for this one! I think I am going to try that next flight.

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