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, arrr, blow me down!  Comparison o' t' Xtreme vs t' Hi-Flier:

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

Construction

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

 

Instead o' gluin' t' elastic shock cord inside t' body tube, ya bilge rat, 130lb kevlar thread was attached t' t' thrust ring.  (See attached pic).  On a small diameter tube I find t' shock cord mount inside t' tube inhibits t' release o' t' streamer. Begad!  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. Blimey!  When t' rin' is glued inside t' tube, thread t' cord out t' back o' t' push tube. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty!  When t' glue dries, arrr, 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, me proud beauty! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down!   Six pieces o' paper were cut a bit larger than t' shape o' t' fins so thar would be over-hang. Aye aye!  Usin' an elmers glue stick, apply glue t' one side o' t' fin. Well, blow me down!  Apply t' paper in a sweepin'  motion from left t' right. Blimey!  A plastic kitchen bench scraper was then used t' drag and smooth out t' paper. Avast, me proud beauty!  Repeat on t' other side and for t' remainin' fins.  Fins were left underneath a heavy book overnight t' dry and stay flat. Begad!   T' next day a hobby knife be used t' trim off t' excess paper.  Thin CA was applied t' seal t' edges and then lightly sanded smooth. Begad!  Please note that super glue was nay applied t' t' fin edge that would be glued t' t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Fins were attached t' t' body tube with a bit o' thick CA. Begad!  Titebond II wood glue was then used t' apply fillets. 

Finishing

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

 
Construction Score: 5

Flight

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

 
Flight Rating: 4

Summary

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

 
Overall Rating: 4
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