Estes Bandit

Estes - Bandit {Kit} (1231) [2002-2003]

Contributed by Tony Fragge

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes

Rocket PicBrief:
T' Estes E2X Bandit rocket kit is a good one for a beginner, me bucko, which is what I be when I found t' kit.

Construction:
T' kit comes with a pre-slotted and pre-colored body tube, me bucko, plastic nose cone, ya bilge rat, me hearties, plastic motor mount assembly and plastic fins. Well, blow me down! T' shock cord be typical Estes (short) and be t' be attached t' a 12-inch parachute.

T' instructions are very clear and simple t' follow. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! If you had assembled a handful o' rockets prior t' this one you probably would nay need t' instructions. Blimey! Glue and a knife were t' only tools required. Ahoy! Once t' motor mount assembly was completed, matey, it aligned with t' precut slots for easy fin attachment. T' only thin' I wish I would have known about up front be that t' through t' body tube exterior shock cord mount has its problems. Ahoy! I would have used t' traditional tri-fold shock cord mountin' procedure had I known better (which I did when I had t' replace t' nose cone and parachute later on).

Finishing:
T' kit did nay require any painting; all you need t' do is apply t' decals. Ya scallywag! At t' time I did nay know that dippin' t' decal in soap and water could make application much easier, but I was successful despite me ignorance. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Once completed it looked pretty cool.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' rocket will fly on anythin' from an A8-3 t' a C6-5. Blimey! Bein' an obedient rocketeer, I followed t' directions and used an A8-3 for t' first flight as recommended by t' manufacturer. Everythin' went as planned. Well, blow me down! Avast! My second flight was a B6-4. Both flights were nice and straight. T' third flight on a B6-4 went well until ejection. Avast! T' shock cord had burnt through at t' hole in body tube and I watched t' parachute and nose cone drift off into t' distance. T' body tube tumbled t' t' ground with no damage. Blimey! I replaced t' nose cone and shock cord and have flown it since. Avast! Begad! T' rocket really scoots on a C6-5.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
I would recommend this kit for any beginner. Well, blow me down! It is easy t' assemble and looks good when completed.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

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