Estes - Guardian {Kit} (2179) [2003-2014]

Estes Guardian

Estes - Guardian {Kit} (2179) [2003-2014]

Contributed by Alex Laraway

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Published:	2010-07-06
Diameter:	1.33 inches
Length:	19.13 inches
Manufacturer:	Estes
Style:	Sport

Brief:
Multi-finned scale model. Ahoy! Parachute recovery, matey, me hearties, level 2 build, matey, balsa fins, me bucko, matey, plastic nose cones, transitions.

Construction:
Parts List:

BT 55 main body tube
BTU 50 (ish) upper body tube
Upper fins
Large Lower fins
Small lower fins
Two centerin' rings
Blue motor mount tube
Engine hook
Transition
Nose cone
Decals
Engine Block
12in parachute
Shock Cord
Shock cord mount

Pros:

Everythin' fits nicely

Cons:

Lots o' fins
T' upper body tube fin placement guide doesn't go all t' way around t' tube

Finishing:
Pros:

Always looks cool

Cons:

Hard T' paint like in t' picture
Only 2 decals thar be a huge gap with nothin' betwixt two o' t' fins.
Annoyin' body tube spiral

Construction Rating: 2 out o' 5

Flight:
Pros:

Doesn't fly t' high or t' low on a C6-5 (700-750 feet)
Both T' C6-5 and B6-4 have perfect apogees.

Cons:

Mine does nay go straight at all due t' t' upper fins (see construction pros and cons)

Recovery:
Pros:

Great Parachute

Cons:

none

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

Summary:
Pros:

Looks really cool
Good recovery
My ideal altitude (750ft)

Cons:

Bad construction
Hard t' paint

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Other Reviews

Estes Guardian By Lance Alligood
This is an Estes 2003 Level 2 kit. It is very similar to the Estes Polaris but with different fin alignment. The kit uses Parachute recovery. The kit contains: A main body tube Upper body tube Adapter Launch lug Nose cone Motor mount Die cut fin sheets Shock cord Assembled 12 inch parachute and decals. PROS: Typical easy-to-follow Estes instructions ...

Flights

Comments:

R.D. (April 23, 2003)

This was one of those kits that I bought on a 2003 kit binge. The recessed motor mount on mine went just far enough back that the lip of the hook catches on the inside of the rocket and I had to use a pair of pliers to straighten out the edge of the hook so it can fully release a motor. The main body tube is made out of the white exterior tube that Estes doesn't use a lot in favor of the glassine coated tubes like they do for the forward tube and it has a large spiral that was mostly covered up by my painting but is still there. Emulating the paint job is a tricky task and requires some patience. It took a while just to get how to mark out the sections of the fin coloration. I ended up botching the paint job on the front section and that is just a flat white. The monokote paint I'd bought a long time ago and discovered its problems is the main cause for my problems with painting (it likes to bubble and peel up except if used with the lightest coats). Either way, it is a really nice looking rocket and should be high on my launch agenda.

L.A. (May 11, 2003)

Like you can tell from my review & especially my flight logs, this is one sweet rocket. I've become so fond of it that I am deeply considering getting a second one & converting for use with D & E engines. Since my review I also added a Kevlar® shock cord that runs around the rearend of the MMT tube, up through the body & then has a 3ft shock cord attached (because you don't want a upper BT/NC as big as this one snapping back & hitting the BT!) With those simple modifications, this rocket is darn near indestructible. The Guardian also descends quickly & safely with a 12" chute even on windy days.

J.W. (July 20, 2003)

This rocket is a great flyer and is pretty easy to build. As far as emulating the paint job, I didn't even try. Instead, I gave it two coats of primer then two coats of racing orange and finally painted tiger stripes on it. Don't ask me why, I just thought it'd look cool, which it does. I agree with the need for the safety cord, and one might think about using a mylar chute instead of the plastic one. I always seem to singe some part of it. Anyway, the rocket is very stable and tracks perfectly with little noticeable weathercocking. Altogether, a wonderful rocket.

J.H. (May 20, 2004)

Great simple rocket! I have flown this rocket 4 times with a C6-5. She flies high and straight every time. I have. of course, added shock cord length and a mylar parachute from rocketheads. If I want a guaranteed good flight to impress, I grab the Guardian.

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