Estes Shuttle Xpress

Estes - Shuttle Xpress {Kit} (2183) [2003-2010]

Contributed by Chan Stevens

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

Rocket PicBrief:
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

Other Reviews
  • Estes Shuttle Xpress By Douglas Gardei (August 9, 2007)

    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 ...

Flights

Comments:

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C.S. (March 17, 2003)
I flew this weekend in perfect conditions (70 degrees, hardly a trace of wind) and agree that the gliders are nose heavy, beyond simple aileron adjustment. I bent the ailerons as far as they'd go, but the "memory" of the Styrofoam worked 'em back, and both gliders went through steep descents/dives.
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J.R. (July 2, 2003)
I think it looks like the Code Red/Ionizer/Tidal Wave with a spiffed up NC and 2 gliders.
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D.L. (June 6, 2004)
I flolded the flaps up vertical, and held them in place with pins. Then glued them up using Weldbond brand white glue. I flew it on 6-5-04 with a C6-5, and the gliders did wonderful. They circled the launch site like a couple of hawks hunting their prey. The only other mod I plan to do now, is paint the bottom of the gliders black so they will be easier to see.
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D.L.S.M. (June 27, 2004)
The reviews are great, except when discussing glider trimming. The gliders are, indeed, quite nose-heavy and require a substantial amount of tail-weight for a stable glide. Aileron adjustment is all that is mentioned in the kit's instructions, but that isn't anywhere near sufficient.

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