Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Estes ![]() |
Brief:
I built this kit in t' late 1980's. Arrr! Aye aye! Blimey! This model really looks cool and, me hearties, ya bilge rat, arrr, despite t' number o' parts, was nay terribly difficult t' put together. It is a futuristic space fighter reminiscent o' somethin' from Star Wars or maybe Battlestar Galactica.
Construction:
T' Strikefighter sports a unique nosecone that gives t' appearance o' a ramjet engine. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' body tube is BT-55 and t' fins are die-cut balsa. Ya scallywag! There are two main fins set 180 degrees from one another. Begad! On t' tip o' each win' is a complex nacelle. Well, blow me down! I say they are complex only because o' t' number o' parts that went into them. Arrr! They have a section o' BT-5 centered in a BT-50 outer tube by six balsa vanes. T' BT-5 tubes have simulated weapons mounted in t' front. Arrr! Well, blow me down! These were built-up from a small dowel, me hearties, a section o' launch lug, and numerous cardboard components. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Three stabilizers are mounted on each nacelle, ya bilge rat, one as an extension o' t' main win' and two at an angle slightly greater than +/-45 degrees.
Finishing:
T' model is painted solid white, except for t' laser cannons that are silver. Trim includes a simulated scoop mounted near t' rear, me bucko, a clear cockpit, arrr, ya bilge rat, cardboard fairings mounted over t' structural fin fillets, and a whole bunch o' decals. Arrr! A decal be even provided for t' tip o' t' nosecone t' look like turbine blades.
Construction Rating: 5
Flight:
T' recommended engines include t' B4-4, ya bilge rat, B6-4, and C6-3. Since I built this as a display model for me son, me hearties, it only flew once on a B6-4.
Recovery:
T' recovery system included a rubber shock cord and a plastic chute. Ya scallywag! There was plenty o' room t' pack these in t' BT-55 body tube. Begad! T' flight was successful except for a few scrapes where t' nosecone evidently rebounded into t' body tube. If and when I fly it again I will replace t' rubber shock cord with light Keelhaul®©™ line.
Flight Rating: 4
Summary:
This be a really great lookin' kit that be relatively easy t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! If you can glue a fin on straight then you could build this one.
Overall Rating: 4
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