Estes - Sahara {Kit} [2014-2016]

Estes Sahara

Estes - Sahara {Kit} [2014-2016]

Contributed by swat kat

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Published:	2016-03-09
Diameter:	2.50 inches
Length:	48.70 inches
Manufacturer:	Estes
Style:	Sport

Brief

This kit appears t' be a bash o' Pro-Series II parts featurin' T' nose and transition from an Argent, shiver me timbers, me hearties, me bucko, with one lower body tube instead o' two. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Blimey! It also appears t' have t' Partizon's fins. Begad! Begad! Blimey! It still uses t' standard pro series 29mm mount and screw retainer and 24" chute. Finished weight for me was 13.08 Oz.

Components

There are two main body tubes, matey, a 2" upper tube and a 2.6" bottom tube, matey, similar t' t' Argent but without t' middle tube. Avast! Plywood fins appear t' be from t' Partizon, and are through t' wall t' t' standard 29mm motor mount with plywood centerin' rings and t' standard plastic screw adapter. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Recovery be t' standard 24" nylon PS-II chute with trifold anchor and 1/2" elastic cord. Ahoy! Nosecone is plastic and appears t' be from t' Argent.

Construction

Kit goes together very easily, matey, matey, like other PS-II kits. Avast! Blimey! Fit and finish is comparable t' those kits as well. Ya scallywag! Avast! Blimey! T' standard "gotchas" apply for t' motor mount centerin' rings. It's easier t' leave t' aft rin' off and do internal fillets, then add t' back ring. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Blimey! This is different than t' instructions. Begad! Blimey! I choose t' add an eyehook through t' top centerin' rin' and attach Keelhaul®©™ cord with a mylar wrap, shiver me timbers, arrr, me bucko, but this is separate from t' actual kit materials.

Finishing

No special skills were required for t' kit, matey, ya bilge rat, fit and finish required little sandin' and sealer. Arrr! Blimey! Body tubes are colored white like all PS-II kits and have a reasonably smooth finish. Ya scallywag! Blimey! One coat o' primer and two coats o' paint and it came out lookin' great.

Construction Score: 4

Flight

I've flown t' Sahara four times. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Twice with Estes F15-6, which is a slightly longer delay than t' recommended -4. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Both times t' rocket deployed just at apogee or within 30-40 feet after apogee. Begad! Altitude via Jolly Logic 3 was 670 and 654 feet on t' two launches. T' flights were text book straight and true off 6 foot 1/4" rods and 5-6 MPH steady breeze. T' 24" chute allows for a little drift given a non-loaded weight o' 13 Oz for t' rocket. T' second two launches were on AeroTech G74-6 Economax motors. Well, blow me down! They were VERY fast and altitudes be 1698 and 1721 feet respectively. With t' wind it be quite a walk for recovery (1/4 mile or so) but our field is large. A -6 delay is a little short, with t' deploy at moderate speed. A 7 second delay or so would likely be ideal.