Quest Magnum Sport Loader

Quest - Magnum Sport Loader {Kit} (3012)

Contributed by John Bishop

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Published: 2010-06-30
Length: 24.00 inches
Manufacturer: Quest
Skill Level: 3
Style: Cluster, Payload
Quest - Magnum Sport Loader

Brief:
This is a dual 18mm parallel cluster rocket. It has a large payload bay, matey, capable o' holdin' two eggs. Well, blow me down! It recovers with twin parachutes. Quest has deemed is a skill level 3 rocket.

Construction:

  • 2 Thrust Rings
  • 2 Motor Clips
  • 2 Yellow MMT tubes
  • 4 Half Moon Cluster Ring
  • 2 Body Tubes
  • Shoulder Ring
  • Tube Coupler
  • PNC-355egg Nose
  • Launch Lug
  • 2 12" Parachute
  • Keelhaul®©™® and elastic shock cord
  • Waterslide Decals
  • Balsa fin stock

Construction o' t' Magnum Sport Loader went fairly easily.

I had issues with t' fit o' t' half-moons on t' cluster mount. Begad! This was me first parallel cluster model, so it may have been inexperience. Well, blow me down! I had difficulty alignin' t' half-moons perpendicular t' t' engine tubes. Ahoy! This created fit issues when it came time t' glue t' cluster mount into t' body tube. Begad! Aye aye! I be able t' correct this with some light sanding.

Also, t' instructions don't mention t' cut a notch into t' thrust rin' t' allow for t' thickness o' the Keelhaul®©™®. Addin' this slight modification made for a cleaner engine mount setup.

As a SPEV kit (Spare Parts Elimination Vehicle) designed t' empty out overstocked parts, t' fin sheets had a large number o' fins nay used on t' rocket. Well, blow me down! Begad! This is a great bonus, me hearties, as thar were enough small fins for at least three future rockets.

Finishing:
Nothin' unique about t' finishin' o' this rocket, shiver me timbers, me hearties, although t' balsa was crushed at the edges, me bucko, ya bilge rat, makin' a clean fin-edge difficult t' obtain.

I was pleasantly surprised t' find waterslide decals which went on beautifully. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' instructions recommend separatin' t' large MAGNUM decal into two halves t' keep t' application easier.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' first flight was on a pair o' Estes C6-5 engines. Avast! I be very impressed with the boost. Well, blow me down! T' effect o' t' cluster engines together was impressive. Blimey! This was me second cluster kit, t' other bein' a Deuce's Wild, me bucko, and thus t' first where t' thrust from t' engines is parallel. Well, blow me down! Avast! T' protect t' dual parachutes, I used a significant amount o' Estes wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I stuffed in maybe 10 sheets, and had no damage on either parachute.

Recovery:
T' shock cord is attached via Keelhaul®©™® t' t' motor mount in typical Quest fashion. Avast! It is made from thin elastic and an upgrade t' thicker material may be a good idea. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty!

T' twin parachutes are attached separately on t' cord- one at t' nosecone-eye as usual, one a few inches below with a figure-8 knot. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

Because o' me laziness, ya bilge rat, I opted for a pair o' pre-constructed Estes chutes over t' Quest parachute assemblies. T' twin parachutes may be overkill for this design, as I did experience significant drift. Avast, me proud beauty!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I enjoyed t' process o' buildin' this kit. Avast! Avast! It's a good sized rocket with eye catchin' lines. It has t' added bonus o' spare parts which can be used on future projects.

T' only con was t' condition o' t' balsa, arrr, which I found t' be difficult t' work with. Ahoy! Blimey! A laser-cut sheet would be preferable, matey, but would defeat t' purpose o' a SPEV kit.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

Comments:

avatar
J.A.L. (August 1, 2010)
It looks nice. I like the unexpected blue on the fins. I'm not much into payloaders but this one caught my eye. I tried to order it once but the place I ordered from was out of stock. I'll have to try again.

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