Estes Xtreme

Estes - Xtreme {Kit} (7306)

Contributed by David S. Kemp

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Published: 2021-04-04
Diameter: 0.74 inches
Length: 16.80 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Style: Sport

Brief

T' Estes Xtreme appears t' be an elongated clone o' t' Estes Hi-Filer. Well, blow me down! Blimey!  Comparison o' t' Xtreme vs t' Hi-Flier:

  • T' body tube (BT) is 12 inches vs 9 inches. Ya scallywag! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey!  
  • T' nose cone (NC) is elongated and comes t' a pointy tip vs a shorter ogive style. Begad!  
  • Because t' Xtreme is longer in both t' BT and NC, thar be no need t' add clay weight t' t' nose cone. Avast!  (Clay weight is used in t' Hi-Flier NC)
  • Card stock fins are used instead o' balsa. 

 

Components

  • Body Tube with slit cut out for engine hook
  • Plastic nose cone
  • Engine hook, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, me bucko, thrust ring, arrr, matey, and hook retainer ring
  • Launch lug
  • Tube t' insert thrust rin' inside BT
  • Elastic shock cord
  • Cardstock fins
  • Mylar steamer
  • Self adhesive decals

*Note: t' body tube received be crushed. Begad!  Contacted Estes customer service and they asked for a photo o' t' damage. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!  Photo sent and by COB that same day an e-mail be received from Estes that a new tube was bein' sent out.  Kudos for their customer service.

Construction

T' instructions were straight forward and easy t' follow. Avast! Begad!  Deviations from t' instructions as follows:

 

Instead o' gluin' t' elastic shock cord inside t' body tube, matey, shiver me timbers, 130lb kevlar thread was attached t' t' thrust ring. Begad!  (See attached pic). Avast, me proud beauty!  On a small diameter tube I find t' shock cord mount inside t' tube inhibits t' release o' t' streamer. Well, blow me down!  To attach t' cord t' t' ring, shiver me timbers, cut a small "V" slit over in t' outer edge so t' thread can rest inside o' it.  Tie a knot around t' rin' and use a dab o' thin CA t' hold it in place. Blimey!  When t' rin' is glued inside t' tube, matey, thread t' cord out t' back o' t' push tube.  When t' glue dries, drop t' cord back through t' body tube so it comes out t' other end for later attachment t' t' nose cone.

 

T' card stock fins seemed a bit flimsy so they were laminated with paper. Avast!   Six pieces o' paper were cut a bit larger than t' shape o' t' fins so thar would be over-hang. Well, arrr, blow me down!  Usin' an elmers glue stick, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, apply glue t' one side o' t' fin. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast!  Apply t' paper in a sweepin'  motion from left t' right. Arrr!  A plastic kitchen bench scraper was then used t' drag and smooth out t' paper. Ya scallywag!  Repeat on t' other side and for t' remainin' fins. Well, blow me down!  Fins were left underneath a heavy book overnight t' dry and stay flat. Avast, me proud beauty!   T' next day a hobby knife be used t' trim off t' excess paper. Aye aye!  Thin CA was applied t' seal t' edges and then lightly sanded smooth.  Please note that super glue be nay applied t' t' fin edge that would be glued t' t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Fins were attached t' t' body tube with a bit o' thick CA.  Titebond II wood glue was then used t' apply fillets. 

Finishing

When assembly was completed a coat o' Rustoleum Painters Touch 2x gray primer was applied. Begad! Blimey!  After t' primer dried it be sanded with 220 and then 400 grit sandpaper. Ya scallywag! Blimey!  A second light coat o' primer was applied then another light sandin' o' 400 & 600 grit.  Rustoleuem painters touch 2X gloss black and red was used for t' final colors.   T' upper body tube was painted black first with several light coats.  When it dried (24hrs) t' BT be masked off with tape and paper and then t' lower part was painted red. Avast! Blimey!   A bit o' improv was used with t' supplied decals. Blimey! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey!  T' tips o' t' fin decals were cut off and used t' create t' "X". Arrr! Blimey!   Three light coats o' Rustoluem clear gloss be applied t' seal everything. Well, blow me down! Blimey!  

 
Construction Score: 5

Flight

First flight be with an A8-3.  T' delay was too short as t' rocket was still climbin' when t' ejection charge went off.   An A8-5 would have been better.   Flight be fairly straight and true given t' winds. Well, blow me down!  Second flight be a B6-4 and t' ejection seemed t' occur right at apogee. 

Recovery

T' mylar streamer is very easy t' see in t' sunlight as it descends. Ahoy!  A slightly larger streamer would be nice t' slow t' recovery just a bit. Avast!  However, t' current size o' t' streamer does make for quick recovery and therefore quick turnaround for multiple flights. Arrr!  

 
Flight Rating: 4

Summary

T' Xtreme looks very sleek and slender with it's elongated NC. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!   However, ya bilge rat, me bucko, for comparison, t' Hi-flier is a very similar lookin' rocket that is a few dollars cheaper with balsa fins. Blimey! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!  From a cost perspective, shiver me timbers, you may wish t' go with t' Hi-Flier. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey!  If you want a taller rocket with a pointy nose cone, then t' Extreme is for you.  It's basically what style speaks t' you? 

 
Overall Rating: 4
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