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. Ahoy! Begad!  Comparison o' t' Xtreme vs t' Hi-Flier:

  • T' body tube (BT) is 12 inches vs 9 inches. Arrr!  
  • T' nose cone (NC) is elongated and comes t' a pointy tip vs a shorter ogive style. Begad! Begad!  
  • Because t' Xtreme is longer in both t' BT and NC, thar be no need t' add clay weight t' t' nose cone. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast! Blimey!  (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, thrust ring, matey, ya bilge rat, me hearties, 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 was crushed. Aye aye!  Contacted Estes customer service and they asked for a photo o' t' damage. Avast, me proud beauty!  Photo sent and by COB that same day an e-mail was received from Estes that a new tube was bein' sent out. Aye aye!  Kudos for their customer service.

Construction

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

 

Instead o' gluin' t' elastic shock cord inside t' body tube, me bucko, 130lb kevlar thread be attached t' t' thrust ring. Avast!  (See attached pic).  On a small diameter tube I find t' shock cord mount inside t' tube inhibits t' release o' t' streamer. Aye aye!  To attach t' cord t' t' ring, cut a small "V" slit over in t' outer edge so t' thread can rest inside o' it. Begad!  Tie a knot around t' rin' and use a dab o' thin CA t' hold it in place. Aye aye!  When t' rin' is glued inside t' tube, ya bilge rat, thread t' cord out t' back o' t' push tube. Avast!  When t' glue dries, me hearties, 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. Begad! Blimey!   Six pieces o' paper were cut a bit larger than t' shape o' t' fins so thar would be over-hang. Begad! Blimey!  Usin' an elmers glue stick, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, apply glue t' one side o' t' fin. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!  Apply t' paper in a sweepin'  motion from left t' right. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!  A plastic kitchen bench scraper was then used t' drag and smooth out t' paper. Ahoy! Blimey!  Repeat on t' other side and for t' remainin' fins. Aye aye! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!  Fins were left underneath a heavy book overnight t' dry and stay flat. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey!   T' next day a hobby knife was used t' trim off t' excess paper. Ahoy! Blimey!  Thin CA be applied t' seal t' edges and then lightly sanded smooth.  Please note that super glue was nay applied t' t' fin edge that would be glued t' t' body tube. Begad! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 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 be completed a coat o' Rustoleum Painters Touch 2x gray primer be applied. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty!  After t' primer dried it was sanded with 220 and then 400 grit sandpaper. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty!  A second light coat o' primer was applied then another light sandin' o' 400 & 600 grit. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag!  Rustoleuem painters touch 2X gloss black and red be used for t' final colors. Avast, me proud beauty!   T' upper body tube was painted black first with several light coats.  When it dried (24hrs) t' BT was masked off with tape and paper and then t' lower part was painted red. Blimey!   A bit o' improv was used with t' supplied decals. Begad!  T' tips o' t' fin decals were cut off and used t' create t' "X". Begad!   Three light coats o' Rustoluem clear gloss be applied t' seal everything. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye!  

 
Construction Score: 5

Flight

First flight was with an A8-3. Ahoy!  T' delay was too short as t' rocket be still climbin' when t' ejection charge went off. Avast, me proud beauty!   An A8-5 would have been better. Ya scallywag!   Flight be fairly straight and true given t' winds. Begad! Aye aye!  Second flight was 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.  A slightly larger streamer would be nice t' slow t' recovery just a bit. Begad! Arrr!  However, matey, t' current size o' t' streamer does make for quick recovery and therefore quick turnaround for multiple flights. Well, blow me down!  

 
Flight Rating: 4

Summary

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

 
Overall Rating: 4
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