| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Published: | 2015-10-19 |
| Diameter: | 1.64 inches |
| Length: | 27.00 inches |
| Manufacturer: | Estes  |
| Skill Level: | 2 |
| Style: | Futuristic/Exotic |
Brief
This is a review o' t' NEW Estes Solar Warrior kit #3225. This kit has nothin' in common with its predecessor kit #0895 [1991-1995] other than name and manufacturer. Avast! Aye aye! Somebody at Estes didn't do their homework when namin' this rocket and it's too bad they didn't come up with a better name (like say Solar or Galactic Torpedo). Avast! Other than that this is a great 24mm kit that features 8 fins with unique styling. Also features a plastic tailpiece along with plastic NC and plastic parachute.
Estes - Solar Warrior (24mm)
Components
Considerin' that this kit comes in a plastic bag, shiver me timbers, and it be one o' three kits that came in a mail order that I made from Estes, all parts were undamaged and o' standard Estes quality. There were only two tubes. T' main body tube and t' motor mount tube. Blimey! There are two sheets o' balsa wood that contain all t' fin parts along with a fin guide. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! One o' t' balsa sheets had some light laser burns on t' parts as was t' case with t' card stock used for t' centerin' rings. Avast! One thin' I have noticed in t' recent kits that I have purchased be t' use o' different grades o' balsa glued together t' form a sheet. I assume this is because they are now made in China where quality is nay as important. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I miss t' higher quality U.S.A. Ahoy! made kits. Arrr! My other complaint is o' course t' recovery system. I wish they included Keelhaul®©™ and an elastic shock cord instead o' t' big rubber strip but I suspect that would drive prices even higher.
Oops! Forgot the motor mount tube
Construction
Construction o' this rocket was straightforward and t' instructions were easy t' follow. My only Con: be t' standard Estes setup for recovery. Aye aye! This is where I made t' first alteration in that I added 24" o' 300# Keelhaul®©™ that I tied around t' MM as an anchor point for t' recovery system. Aye aye! Begad! I also added 5' o' 1/4" elastic in place o' t' rubber shock cord provided. Avast! Begad! I then took t' included "D" hook and replaced it with an "E" hook and built t' MM for "E" power as t' tube provided be long enough for t' conversion. T' last modification was t' use a glue stick and white printer paper t' cover all balsa parts t' eliminate wood grain and for added strength. Arrr! T' guide that Estes includes in t' balsa wood for proper fin alignment (somethin' I wouldn't mind seein' in more kits) be o' great help in gluin' t' fins together and onto t' BT as thar be a total o' 16 pieces t' make up t' bottom 4 fins.
Follow this link t' read complete build: http://www.rocketreviews.com/solar-warrior-3425.html
Finishing
Finishin' was fairly simple. Arrr! I first sprayed entire rocket with Rust-oleum 2X white primer. Did a light sandin' when paint dried then another light coat o' primer. Begad! Bottom o' rocket was then masked off and tailpiece painted a dark grey with Krylon Fusion for plastic Hammered Finish. Well, blow me down! Arrr! After givin' tailpiece a day t' dry it was masked off and lower half o' rocket be painted with Krylon Fusion Gloss White. Begad! Again after allowin' rocket t' dry overnight bottom half was masked off and upper half along with NC were painted Rust-oleum Gloss Deep Blue. Rocket be then allowed a day t' dry again. Begad! T' followin' mornin' decals were trimmed t' size and applied. Ya scallywag! These went on with no problem. Blimey! Ahoy! Rocket was then left outside for t' afternoon t' air dry and then clear coated with me infamous Dupli-Color Clear Effex paint t' give it that prismatic look. Ya scallywag! This be t' largest plus. Begad! Avast! I love t' second looks and raised eyebrows I get when I take one o' me rockets up t' t' RSO table. T' only Con: is that I probably should quit tellin' everyone about this paint before everybody starts usin' it. I've already had several people tell me that they want t' try it on their next build.
Solar Warrior glamour shot
Flight
Maiden flight took place at Graves Farm Campgrounds near t' south end o' Michigan International Speedway. Sky was mostly clear Temp. Begad! was in t' mid 60's and wind be SW at about 7 mph. Blimey! Avast! Count down was given and when t' button be pushed t' rocket jumped off t' launch pad straight up t' close t' its predicted 925'. Blimey! No cons whatsoever. Begad! T' D12-5 is a perfect choice for this rocket but I can't wait t' really air it out on an "E" motor or maybe some 24mm composites.
Solar Warrior on a D12-5
Note: Original Solar Warrior (0895) on pad next t' it
Recovery
In preparin' this rocket for its maiden flight I cut a 3" spill hole in t' parachute. Begad! This worked well with t' wind conditions as t' rocket came down right in front o' one o' t' HP pads. Aye aye! This be t' only con as I didn't get a recovery photo. Begad! Arrr! This was due t' this bein' one o' two rockets that I had t' recover and by t' time I got t' this one they were ready t' launch t' high power rocket that it be layin' in front o' so I asked them t' hold for a minute while I did a quick snatch and grab and got out o' t' way. Upon inspection back at t' car I found no damage t' it so a perfect maiden flight.
Summary
A Super Performer. Aye aye! If you want t' experience mid-power on t' cheap but have somethin' that looks and flies great this is an excellent choice if you can catch it before t' sale at Estes runs out. Blimey! Other wise it is still a great investment that is sure t' please.
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Flights
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