Custom Rockets Galileo Probe

Custom Rockets - Galileo Probe {Kit}

Contributed by Chris Gonnerman

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Custom Rockets
Custom Rockets Galileo

Brief:
T' Custom Galileo is a cute little helicopter recovery rocket. Mine was an Father's Day gift from me wife. Ya scallywag! Blimey! This is a skill level 2 rocket.

Construction:
T' kit contains standard BT-20 tube and ogive balsa cone, me bucko, three small balsa fins, dowels, arrr, paper centerin' rin' and transition, and nice waterslide decals.

T' instruction sheet be clear, me bucko, logical, and easy t' read. Ahoy! I be able t' complete t' rocket (except for finishing) in about a two hour period. Begad! I really can't complain about t' build... It was easy and quick.

T' model has a really large launch lug with a beefy standoff (required due t' t' conical shape o' t' model), which is rather unsightly.

Finishing:
T' nose cone took a while t' get smooth (I generally just use primer rather than mail-orderin' sandin' sealer) and gettin' t' seam in t' transition smooth was also a chore. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I really can't complain about this though, as this sort of thin' is always a chore.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Custom recommends 1/2A6-2 or A8-3 for this rocket. Ya scallywag! I didn't have t' smaller engine handy, so I launched with an A8-3. Blimey! Begad! Preppin' this rocket is about as easy as it can be... Stick in t' engine, install t' igniter, and go. Well, blow me down! I did have t' put a little tape on t' engine t' keep it from fallin' out (a problem I've never seen on any other rocket before).

T' rocket arced badly as soon as it came off t' rod, performin' t' "St. Louis Arch" maneuver into a neighborin' field overgrown with weeds. Avast! Sadly, it be lost. T' air was very still when I launched, me hearties, and I launched other rockets after it without problem, ya bilge rat, so I'm nay sure what went wrong.

Recovery:
No comment (since I didn't get it back).

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

Summary:
My major complaint about this otherwise nice little rocket be t' massive launch lug and standoff. Blimey! I am suspicious that this may be related t' t' poor flight characteristics o' t' model. I'm plannin' t' replace t' rocket, but I'll be modifyin' t' next one t' hide t' lug inside t' transition. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! This would be a nice from-the-factory modification, actually.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Custom Rockets Galileo Probe By Lance Souther (March 8, 2007)

    Single stage futuristic rocket. This rocket comes with one short body tube that is just slightly longer than an 18mm engine. It primarily uses 1/8" diameter wooden dowels for fins. I say this due to the fact that you use small balsa pieces for the dowels to lay down on. They would be to small to act as fins however. The rocket comes with a balsa nose cone. This is a fairly easy build. ...

  • Custom Rockets Galileo Probe By Ben Bentley

      Brief The Custom Galileo Probe is a small scale-looking rocket. It uses the 18mm 1/2A engines and is a great flier. It comes down on its nose cone unharmed every time. It is a cool looking and fun rocket. Construction The kit is a pretty simple one, packaged in a bag with all the pieces intact. It comes with a small length of BT-20, 3 balsa fins and dowels, a paper shroud pattern, a ...

Flights

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