Estes Wacky Wiggler

Estes - Wacky Wiggler {Kit} (2182)

Contributed by Timothy Morris

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Diameter: 1.10 inches
Length: 17.75 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport

Rocket PicBrief:
Estes new E2X series break-apart recovery rocket.

Construction:
All components were present and undamaged.

Rocket was a quick build, less than an hour. Arrr! T' only gotcha be t' engine mount. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! It had t' be sanded t' fit into t' tube.

Finishing:
Finishin' was a breeze. Body and all parts were pre-painted/finished.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Here is where this cute little rocket gets ugly. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! A 6 ft. shock cord runs t' inside length o' t' rocket's segmented body so it recovers just like it sounds wiggley. Aye aye! Blimey! Estes did nay have a recommended first flight motor listed on t' package so I used a A8-3. At lift off t' segmented body bent and t' rocket went near horizontal! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Rocket did recover due t' t' fact it landed in a soft over grown field.

I thought maybe a more powerful motor would fix t' arc problem so t' next motor used was B6-4. Ahoy! Blimey! T' body held tighter than with t' A motor but still got a bit wobbley, sorry wiggley at apogee. Begad! Rocket recovered well.

T' third flight I used a C6-3, much better flight. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' C packed just enough punch t' hold t' body segments in place through apogee. Well, blow me down! Recovery be flawless.

Recovery:
Recovery be overall good with this rocket after usin' a C motor. Well, blow me down! T' main problem is in t' shock cord. From t' 3 flights mentioned above I can see that t' shock cord will need t' be replaced after maybe 2 more flights.

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

Summary:
On t' Pro side it's an easy build and a nice looker on t' flight line. Arrr! Con: Bad or even dangerous flights on a A or B engine. Arrr! Arrr! Replacement o' shock cord after maybe 5 flights and if it happens t' land on anythin' but grass t' rocket is history.

Overall Rating: 2 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes Wacky Wiggler By Marty Wiggins

    The Wacky Wiggler is a fun, easy build rocket. It is made of 7 plastic sections that are held together by string. The rocket goes up as one piece and comes down in 7 pieces. The package includes the nose cone, fin section, 5 plastic body sections, 6 paper body sections, motor mount and a 6' section of string. The components are mainly plastic, but are usual Estes make. The rocket is ...

Flights

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