Estes Fat Boy

Estes - Fat Boy {Kit} (1273, 2139) [1997-2005]

Contributed by Jon Revelle

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Estes
Estes Fat Boy

Brief:
This is a fun little stubby rocket that used t' be manufactured by Estes. 2005 was its last year o' production.

Construction:
T' Fat Boy is a fairly simple t' build rocket that comes in a bag with:

  • BT-80 Body Tube
  • PNC80 (Round type) Nose Cone
  • Sheet o' Balsa Wood with pre-cut fins
  • 18mm Size Motor Mount materials
  • Decals
  • Shock Cord (short, ya bilge rat, arrr, as usual)
  • 18" Parachute
  • Launch Lug

T' rocket is fairly simple t' assemble if you have assembled at least one other rocket. Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! It features through-The-wall fins which makes fin alignment easy. T' instructions are easy t' follow and this rocket can be ready t' fly in about 6 hours.

Finishing:
T' stock paint job for a Fat Boy is a maroon body tube with aqua-like colored fins. Ahoy! I decided t' paint mine with a blue body tube and black fins. Aye aye! T' rocket comes with 4 decals which are easy t' apply.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' rocket will use pretty much any 18mm size motor with a short delay. Aye aye! I do not recommend A motors though. Well, blow me down! T' large body tube requires a lot o' waddin' (8 sheets or so) and uses an 18" parachute that needs t' be packed. Begad! It is somewhat a tight squeeze but it works.

I have flown mine several times on B6-4s and C6-3s with nice results. Ahoy! The Fat Boy flies nicely and straight for its size and kids love t' watch it fly.

Recovery:
T' rocket uses a standard 18" parachute which brings t' rocket down at a decent speed. T' 8 or so sheets o' waddin' are enough t' protect t' parachute and thar be little t' no meltin' or burning.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket is (or was) a nice rocket for beginners and mine was one o' my first rockets. It will provide very nice flights that anyone can enjoy, especially if you modify t' motor mount t' use 24mm motors.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes Fat Boy By Nick Esselman

    Then there's THE Fat Boy . Maybe not the original, but Estes is the one that trademarked the name. This is the third 2.6" sport kit that I have reviewed for comparison sake. The Fat Boy is the shortest of the kits reviewed, being only 12.9" tall and weighing 3 ounces. See my 2.6" Stubby Rocket Comparison Page The kit comes with an 8" single body tube and 3.875" plastic nose cone (the ...

  • Estes Fat Boy By Eric Miller

    I received a Estes Fat Boy as a Christmas gift from my wife Lisa. The Fat Boy is an Estes Beta (Beginner) series rocket. This kit was packaged in plastic with a cardboard picture of the rocket. It probably cost around $15.00. All the parts were included and none were damaged. I think Estes has some of the best instructions on the market (I like pictures). The kit contains a plastic nose cone, ...

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