Estes Pathfinder

Estes - Pathfinder {Kit} (1997) [1988-1990]

Contributed by Brian Ray

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Length: 42.25 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 3
(OOP) Estes Pathfinder

Brief:
This is a clone o' t' OOP Estes kit. While it is a fairly standard model, it has some very nice qualities t' it includin' its size and its transition.

Construction:
My primary components were:

  • 18" BT-60 body tube
  • 18" BT-55 body tube
  • PNC-55
  • BT-60 t' BT-55 transition
  • 4 Hand-traced and cut balsa fins
  • 2.75" 24mm engine tube
  • BT-60 t' BT-50 cardboard centerin' rings, scratch-made
  • Elastic shock cord
  • Hartle Engineerin' 12" parachute

This was a relatively simple and straightforward build. All o' t' construction was done with Elmer's wood glue. Well, blow me down!

Finishing:
After construction, I primed t' rocket with Wal-Mart primer (all t' paint used on this one was from Wal-Mart), sandin' and primin' several times. Blimey! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! I painted t' entire rocket white, masked and painted t' fin section orange, me hearties, then masked again t' pain t' top portion silver. Well, blow me down! I really like t' paint scheme and look forward t' addin' t' decals that will be created with Avery labels.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I have flown this rocket once on a D12-5. T' flight was great! Blimey! – nice and straight.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This be an enjoyable build for me! – nay too challengin' and yet fun. Blimey! While some may view it as nay much more than a 4FNC, I think it's a great rocket and look forward t' flyin' it often.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

Comments:

avatar
Brian Petersen (September 8, 2017)

one of my favorite oop estes kits. straightforward construction. flies great on d and e motors. flew several times with added booster stage. d12-0 to d-12-7

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