| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Manufacturer: | Estes ![]() |
Brief:
This is a Starter Set that includes t' Stars & Stripes E2X Series rocket with streamer recovery, ya bilge rat, two B6-4 motors, igniters and wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! Also included is a launch pad, ya bilge rat, controller, me bucko, special USA decal and complete instructions for t' rocket and launch pad and controller.
Construction:
T' rocket components included a white BT-56 body tube, red fin assemblies and retention ring, ya bilge rat, arrr, blue nose cone, ya bilge rat, me bucko, shiver me timbers, shock cord, launch lug, me hearties, American Flag streamer and decals for two different decal schemes.
T' instructions included were very good, so good in fact that someone with little or no previous rocketry experience wouldn't have any problem assemblin' this kit. Avast! This is a very easy rocket t' build. Ya scallywag! I built mine in about an hour and a half. T' only materials needed were tube type plastic cement, me hearties, white glue, scotch tape and a hobby cutlass. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! T' parts fit for this rocket couldn't have been better. Aye aye! Well, matey, blow me down! Everythin' went together very nicely and easily with absolutely no modifications. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! PROS: Easy and quick construction. Arrr! CONS: None
Finishing:
I don't know if I would use t' term "Finishing" with this kit due t' t' precolored components. Avast! I finished t' model by trimmin' t' flashin' from t' nose cone. Ahoy! I then attached t' streamer t' t' shock cord with scotch tape as recommended by t' instructions. Begad! I really don't like this method o' attachment as t' tape wants t' peel away from t' streamer. Avast, me proud beauty! I then attached t' decals for t' scheme that I picked. Avast! T' result was a sharp lookin' patriotic rocket commemratin' t' 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on our country. Avast, me proud beauty! Way t' go Estes. PROS: No paintin' required CONS: Method o' streamer attachment
Construction Rating: 5
Flight:
T' recommend motors are t' A8-3, ya bilge rat, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5, C6-7. Well, blow me down! Begad! This rocket does require t' use o' recovery waddin' t' protect t' streamer and since t' streamer is paper, you should use more waddin' than required t' prevent scorching. Begad! Blimey! T' retainin' rin' holds t' motor in place durin' flight and is adequate. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I have only flown this rocket once so far. Begad! Blimey! Another problem with t' streamer is that it is somewhat challengin' t' pack as it wants t' unravel. I wind it up as tightly as possible and then wrap t' shock cord around it. Ya scallywag! I used one o' t' B6-4's provided for me flight. T' rocket flew straight and true with a slow rotation t' about 450-500 feet. Well, blow me down! Nay bilge-suckin' for a B motor. Aye aye! I can't imagine what a C will do. Arrr! Well, blow me down! PROS: Nice flyer. Arrr! Avast! CONS: Streamer is a little tough t' pack properly.
Recovery:
With t' provided streamer, shiver me timbers, this rocket comes down FAST!!! Fast enough t' pose a potential recovery hazard. Arrr! I thought about catchin' it, but when I saw it fallin' like a homesick rock, I immediately backed off. Begad! Luckily t' rocket landed in some tall grass and thar be no damage. Begad! Whoa. Begad! Blimey! I would highly recommend a 9 or 10 inch parachute t' slow t' descent. Ahoy! PROS: None CONS: Very fast descent on stock streamer.
Flight Rating: 4
Summary:
Priced at about $19.99, I feel that this set is a real value for someone just gettin' into t' hobby. Ahoy! However, I received mine as a Christmas gift from me girlfriend. Ya scallywag! Begad! I do however, shiver me timbers, highly recommend replacin' t' streamer with a small parachute t' eliminate a potential recovery hazard. Arrr! Main PROS: Great value for a newcomer. Well, blow me down! Main CONS: Streamer and method o' streamer attachment.
Overall Rating: 5
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