| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Published: | 2013-07-08 |
| Diameter: | 0.98 inches |
| Manufacturer: | Estes  |
| Skill Level: | 2 |
| Style: | Sport |
Brief
T' Estes Gemini DC features twin 'chute deployment from t' aft o' two attached side pods. Though much maligned, me bucko, it's a very cool kit
Components
- Three tubes, me hearties, ya bilge rat, one main and two for t' side pods
- Balsa fins mount through t' main tube
- Plastic nose cones
My kit came with an extra engine clip as well as t' usual Estes components.
Construction
T' instructions were easy t' follow. T' balsa fin tabs swelled up when glue was applied makin' it a bit o' a struggle t' slot them in t' main tube. I made more o' a glue mess than I would have liked. Begad! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Also, arrr, I veered off path a bit. Blimey! Instead o' gluin' t' side pods on and then painting, I painted t' components first up t' t' finish coat then I glued them on t' main tube. Ahoy! I used a slow cure epoxy t' fillet t' lug and t' fins. Arrr! Ahoy! Maskin' off t' body made for some neat pro-quality fillets.
Finishing
T' nose cones needed a fair bit o' dressin' down. Tqp coats o' sandin' sealer went on t' fins and I used two or three coats o' sandable primer on top o' that and over t' body parts. Avast! On top o' that, me bucko, me bucko, I sprayed four coats o' Testors medium blue, ya bilge rat, sandin' with 600 betwixt t' first two, I used 0000 steel wool after t' 3rd coat. Ahoy! T' decals are stickers which went on easy enough. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! After t' decals went on I sprayed two coats o' clear gloss lacquer. Aye aye! It has a stunnin' finish, I'm very pleased.
Flight
It made its maiden voyage today on a B6-2 motor. She flew straight and was still in a vertical position when t' engine popped t' 'chutes. Blimey! Blimey! That's right, arrr, me bucko, both parachutes came out with no issues and t' rocket landed about 100 feet from t' launch pad. Arrr! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! It was very excitin' t' see it all work.
Recovery
After purchasin' this kit, ya bilge rat, I started readin' t' reviews. Since t' 'chute deployment or, matey, lack thereof, me bucko, me hearties, seems Ito be t' issue, shiver me timbers, I focused on 'chute protection. Arrr! Ya scallywag! I wrapped t' center section o' t' motor mount with some fireproofin' before gluin' it in. Also, I added additional waddin' fore and aft in t' side pods vent tube and, once t' 'chutes were in, more waddin' over t' tube ends coverin' t' 'chutes. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! I even stuffed waddin' in t' gap betwixt t' main tube and t' motor mount where it exits out t' back. Addin' a dustin' of talcum powder t' t' 'chutes surfaces seems t' help unfurl them quickly.
Summary
T' twin 'chutes worked perfectly and t' rocket came down nose first. Avast, me proud beauty! No damage t' rocket whatsoever. Begad! Ahoy! Next launch will be with a C6-5.
Other Reviews
- Estes Gemini DC By Tai Fu
Dual rear deployment parachute. The construction is good, because it has TTW fins, which means it is stronger than the other ones, also you don't have to worry about the fin alignment because the slot has done that for you. You just need to make sure that air can flow freely to the 2 parachute pods otherwise this rocket will lawn dart!!! You can always forget about the parachute pod and ...
- Estes Gemini DC By Alex Rothchild
Brief: The Estes Gemini DC is dual parachute, lawn dart ready single stage rocket with two side pods housing the chutes. It uses a 1/8 inch launch lug and has a single 18mm motor mount. The Gemini DC has four swept back balsa fins. Construction: The components used in this rocket are top quality. The parts list is: 1 BT-50 main body tube, slotted with vent holes 1 ...
- Estes Gemini DC By Mike Goss
I had often looked at this kit and wondered how those twin parachutes would work. I found out one day when a friend launched his and had only one chute deployed. The recovery was a little hard on the rocket and broke one of the pods off the side of the rocket. Reading the other reviews, I have learned that this is the rule and not the exception for this rocket. I determined that my rocket would ...
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