Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Diameter: | 1.33 inches |
Length: | 17.70 inches |
Manufacturer: | Estes |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Futuristic/Exotic, Glider |
Brief:
T' modern, E2X reincarnation o' t' ARV Condor, this kit is a quick, matey, easy build and eye-catchin' design. At apogee, (2) separate gliders break free t' circle t' field while t' main rocket eases down under chute.
Construction:
T' 2003 Estes line seems t' be carefully packed, arrr, ya bilge rat, with each body tube enclosed in plastic. Well, blow me down! T' nose cone is an unusual appearance, with a raised canopy and a duct area underneath. Begad! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! T' fins are plastic, ya bilge rat, me hearties, rugged enough t' handle C's. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! T' motor retention compartment is a 2-piece plastic housin' with a quick release cap. Shuttles are made from pre-cut styrofoam (1-piece) wings, me hearties, fuselage, and hook. Shock cord is standard Estes 1/8", shiver me timbers, and way too short.
T' package boasts o' total build time in under an hour, arrr, ya bilge rat, and most modelers will find that t' be true. Aye aye! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' parts fit very well, shiver me timbers, and t' directions were easy t' follow.
Pros-fit and finish. Arrr! T' body tubes come fully detailed (decals already on). T' only "assembly" work be t' motor retention compartment, ya bilge rat, gluin' on t' plastic fins, arrr, and mountin' t' shock cord. Begad! A very nice plus is that t' Estes chutes seem t' be all pre-assembled this year.
Cons-Gluin' t' styrofoam glider parts together is a bit messy, especially t' rudder, which is glued in after placin' a decal over t' top o' t' fuselage. Blimey! T' decal was also a bit tricky, arrr, as you're supposed t' cut a slot in it after puttin' it on t' fuselage, and t' slot you cut is supposed t' line up with t' now-covered slot on t' fuselage. Blimey! Begad! Trimmin' t' gliders is weak, matey, as t' ailerons are pre-cut into t' styrofoam, matey, and don't tend t' stay flexed for very long.
I'd also gladly pay an extra dime or so if Estes would get rid o' t' 1/8" elastic shock cords that might last 3-4 flights, shiver me timbers, and replace them with 1/4" or even Keelhaul®©™®.
Finishing:
This is a very nice lookin' rocket/shuttle combo. Begad! Very little finishin' work is required at all.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
First flight was under perfect conditions (72 degrees, ya bilge rat, matey, winds under 5 mph, matey, matey, we only get about 3 o' these days a year in Ohio). Blimey! I flew it on a B4-4. Straight up flight, shiver me timbers, slight spin, me hearties, deployed right at apogee. Ya scallywag! Gliders seemed t' stick for a second or two, arrr, then broke loose. Ahoy! Aye aye! #1 came down very fast & steep, #2 seemed better trimmed and circled a bit on t' way down, but still had a somewhat steep decent. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Everythin' be recovered safely within about 50 yards o' t' pad.
Recovery:
As mentioned, trimmin' t' gliders is difficult, as t' styrofoam tends t' have a "memory". Ahoy! Arrr! I definitely refer t' ARV condor's gliders t' these foam gliders.
Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a great introduction t' boost gliders. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Blimey! Fast, easy, and neat appearance. Ya scallywag! Blimey! For t' experienced modeler, matey, matey, t' gliders will be a bit disappointing.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
Two Parasite Gliders lofted by an easy to build rocket. The rocket parts include two body tubes, plastic fincan halves, fins, launch lug and nosecone. The recovery system consists of a pre-made plastic parachute, and an elastic shock cord. The gliders are made from foam parts, each with a plastic launch hook and a set of decals. The foam wings have two adhesive strips on them ...
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C.S. (March 17, 2003)