Estes Manta

Estes - Manta {Kit} (2097) [1994-1998]

Contributed by David Fergus

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

Estese Manta Brief:
A simple skill level one boost glider with a small Styrofoam glider that separates at ejection - booster recovery by parachute.

Construction:
main body is BT-50
plastic nose cone
one piece plastic tail/fin section
small Styrofoam toy glider
self-adhesive decal set

This is a simple kit with easy assembly.

Booster: T' engine mount and aft fin assembly glue together with plastic cement and white glue. T' engine hook is installed normally. Arrr! T' nose cone is plastic with t' plastic insert glued in with plastic cement. T' hardest assembly step is gettin' t' two launch lugs installed lined up and t' third launch lug for t' glider installed on t' opposite side. I used braided Keelhaul®©™ with epoxy for t' shock cord attachment rather than t' standard Estes folded paper mount.

Glider: There are just two steps on t' glider. Well, blow me down! A small wooden dowel needs t' be glued under t' nose as t' attachment point t' t' booster. Aye aye! Aye aye! A small piece o' lead is inserted into t' nose o' t' glider t' give it better glide balance. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I used epoxy for both o' these steps for a more permanent attachment. Blimey! Begad! As long as you don't use too much, t' balance should remain fine. Begad! T' finished glider weighs 0.2 oz.

Finishing:
I chose t' paint t' rocket with Rustoleum chrome t' get a glossy silver look. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' only caution with chrome paint is that it has a tendency t' run or smudge until it has dried for at least a day. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' decals go on very easy.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Estese Manta Flight:
It flies well on A8-3 and B6-4. T' glider instruction say t' bend t' Styrofoam t' obtain t' desired glide profile, but it just cracked when I tried this. Begad! I ended up gluin' t' tip o' a win' back on with white glue. Avast! My glider tends t' fly straight instead o' in a descendin' circle, me bucko, so t' higher I boost it t' farther t' recovery walk...

Recovery:
Because it has a lot o' plastic components, I figured I be safe launchin' this at our clubs winter launch. Just when t' glider separated, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, I realized I had a white glider comin' down on two feet o' snow. I followed it's straight flight path and found it though, me hearties, so alls well that ends well. Aye aye! Aye aye! I also didn't use any chute or streamer for t' booster and it tumble recovered fine into two feet o' snow.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a perfect first boost glider for kids. Aye aye! It is simple t' build and fly, and t' glider is even replaceable if lost. Arrr! I found a pack o' three similar gliders in a hobby store for launch by rubber band. Well, blow me down! They would be easily modified for this rocket. Aye aye! I am even contemplatin' how t' put two more gliders on this thin' and takin' three gliders for a ride at once.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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