Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Brief:
T' Estes Cosmos Mariner is a 1:67 scale version o' t' Lone Star Space Access
team rocket plane for t' X-Prize. Aye aye! It is a single stage D12-3 power glider with
pop-pod on 18" parachute recovery.
Construction:
1 main body tube with 24mm pop-pod insert. Ahoy! T' pop-pod have centerin' rings
that fit t' body tube and 4 heavy washers for nose weight on boost. Ya scallywag! Flat wing
glider is made from 6 laser cut win' panels. Blimey! Ya scallywag! There are also 4 fins (rudders).
T' rest o' t' body is made from two large vacuumed form sheets o' plastic.
There are three display engine nozzles that come off for flight.
T' instructions are easy t' follow and t' illustrations are good. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! You must have a good flat surface t' build t' wing. Blimey! T' win' consists o' 6 large sections o' balsa, me bucko, 3 for each half o' t' glider wing. Begad! It is very important to have all pieces glue together flat. Ya scallywag! T' hardest part was gluin' on t' two vacuum form body sections. Blimey! Ahoy! T' body sections didn't fit t' assembly well. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! The instructions call for usin' a silicon adhesive. I used GE Silicone II. You have to wipe away any excess glue as you cannot sand it later. I be nay impressed with t' glue joint. Ahoy! If I had t' do it again, I would use a thick super glue for plastics.
Finishing:
No special requirements for finishing. Arrr! T' balsa wings need a lot o' sanding
sealer t' get smooth. Avast! T' paint scheme is easy. Avast! Begad! There are a few stick on type
decals.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
T' only recommended motor be t' D12-3. T' model boosts nicely with a slow
roll durin' boost. Avast! It is important when flyin' t' make sure that t' elastic
that pops up one elevator is attached well and when t' pop-pod is inserted,
the movable elevator is facin' t' opposite direction o' t' glued on elevator.
This is what rolls t' model durin' boost. Begad! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Once t' pop-pod ejects, t' movable
elevator pops up t' get t' plane into glide configuration. Ahoy! This glider is hard
to balance. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Even with glider at t' specified balanced point, t' glider stills
stalls in flight. Avast! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! It is hard t' test glide it since it a fairly heavy glider.
It will take quite a few flights t' trim out t' glider. Arrr! One person mentioned
to me that even though it was stalling, it was one o' t' best glides he seen
out o' this kit.
Recovery:
I flew this model as a entry in SF/FF event at NARAM 48. On t' first flight,
the parachute on t' pop-pod got tangled in t' wire hook on t' back o' the
pop-pod and never really opened, so it came streamin' into t' ground. T' RSO
DQed t' flight as unsafe. Blimey! T' pop-pod with all those washer is very heavy, so
it is important safety wise t' make sure t' chute will always open. Ya scallywag! On the
second flight, matey, I got rid o' t' Estes supplied chute and use a nylon chute of
the same size. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I also shortened t' shroud lines and taped them t' t' pop-pod
way from t' wire hook in t' back so thar be no chance o' them snaggin' on
the wire. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! On t' first landing, matey, both wings cracked down t' win' grain o' the
balsa t' a point outside t' lower rudders. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! This was repaired with super glue
and flown again. Admittedly t' ground at NARAM be hard packed and thar was
no grass t' cushion t' landing. Begad! I am sure landin' on macadam or concrete would
also be very bad for this glider, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, so avoid flyin' it near paved areas.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
I like this glider even thought it is on t' heavy side. Most o' t' glider
seems right on except for t' back where t' engine goes. Avast, me proud beauty! On t' picture on the
package, me hearties, it has t' engine sittin' inside t' three display nozzles, however,
when you build it, ya bilge rat, t' display nozzles come off and leave an ugly gap where the
body wrap doesn't quite fit around t' body tube. Begad! Arrr! I am guessin' t' original
plan was t' have t' display nozzles and backin' on t' pop-pod for flight but
was given up durin' t' kit release. I think it is possible t' grind out the
display backin' t' fit t' pop-pod with t' display nozzles but that is
somethin' for another time.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
This X-Prize scale rocket showed good potential and an intriguing stealthy boost glider design, but save your money though, as it's a real clunker for flight. Parts list includes: BT-55 fuselage tube BT-50 motor tube/pod tube Laser cut fins Molded plastic upper and lower halves Plastic display nozzles/nozzle base 18" plastic chute Assorted centering rings and ...
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F.S.W. (May 8, 2006)