Estes Star Wars R2-D2 (mini)

Estes - Star Wars R2-D2 {Kit}

Contributed by Matt Gillard

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes
Estes Mini R2D2

Brief:
T' smallest o' t' R2D2 range, arrr, it takes 13mm motors and recovers via a 12 inch star wars plastic parachute ejected along with R2D2's head. Arrr! Avast! This is a ready to fly (almost) fun little rocket for t' kids.

Construction:
R2D2 comes nearly pre-constructed. Aye aye! T' clear plastic fins give flight stability and need t' be screwed on. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Also, a Star Wars 12 inch parachute needs t' be attached. Ahoy! A R2D2 "electron beam" style launch controller is also included.

PROs: Nothin' can go wrong with this kit, open t' package and two minutes later you can by ready t' fly. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' motor retention is provided by a twist cap. It's a little stumpy rocket that looks cool and R2 D2 has his rocket pods out.

CONs: None.

One piece o' advice though: I didn't screw t' plastic fins on, matey, me hearties, because if the parachute fails t' open, t' fins take t' hit which usually smashes them. However, if you leave them in place without t' screws, then they simply pop off.

Finishing:
He's ready t' fly. Well, arrr, blow me down! No finishin' is needed and he looks good.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Estes Mini R2D2

Flight:
R2D2 recovers by blowin' his top. Avast! T' 12 inch parachute can easily get toasted unless you put a fair bit o' waddin' in there. Begad! Avast! I usually wrap t' parachute in a sheet or two. Aye aye! He's heavy and has a lot o' drag so you have t' use a A10-3T 13mm motor. Arrr! T' motor fits into t' bottom o' R2D2 and a twist cap is used to retain it. Aye aye! Begad! T' launch lugs are pre-molded (they do spoil his looks a bit) so there is little t' go wrong. Flights are always straight, but do nay expect the 100 foot promised on t' pack.

Recovery:
There is nay a lot o' height t' this rocket and it has a nasty habit o' being on t' way down before t' parachute fully deploys, ya bilge rat, so recovery is fast. Begad! Over the last few years it has flown well and never had any damage, although the elastic cord is startin' t' char.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' little R2D2 is nay as good as t' bigger version, ya bilge rat, me bucko, me hearties, but he is pretty cool lookin' and flies well in a small field.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

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