Estes Gemini DC

Estes - Gemini DC {Kit} (2136) [1997-2005]

Contributed by Tai Fu

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstar_borderstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Diameter: 0.98 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 2
Style: Sport

Rocket PicBrief:
Dual aft deployment parachute.

Construction:
T' construction is good, me hearties, because it has TTW fins, arrr, which means it is stronger than t' other ones, also you don't have t' worry about t' fin alignment because t' slot has done that for you. Ahoy! Arrr! You just need t' make sure that air can flow freely t' t' 2 parachute pods otherwise this rocket will lawn dart!!! You can always forget about t' parachute pod and instead use t' pod as clusters and have parachute deploy t' traditional way. Begad! T' way I see it, me bucko, 2 parachutes are too many and it may cause tangles and etc. Begad! Also it may slow down t' descent which means more drift. I think this rocket is very light and one parachute should be enough.

Finishing:
I finished t' rocket with one coat o' white primer and then I took a special interest and painted it camouflage so it looks more like a military rocket. I used a Testor's brush on enamels so it doesn't look t' best. Aye aye! This be t' time I wished I had an airbrush.... Blimey! Then I painted it with one coat o' clear. I didn't use any o' t' supplied decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I haven't got a chance t' fly it, me bucko, because I didn't put in a parachute, arrr, arrr, arrr, so if I fly it now it will lawndart! I never wanted t' fly this because t' problem is that I don't really like 2 parachutes, shiver me timbers, I just want one, but I was worried about that if I only put one in, shiver me timbers, t' ejection gas won't deploy t' only parachute resultin' in a lawndart.

Recovery:
T' shock cords are attached with paper (Estes's speciality) and t' other end you tie a parachute on it. Begad! Now t' fear is that if t' knot isn't tight enough (if it's too tight then I can't remove t' chute) then t' force might remove t' chute and t' rocket just takes a death dive. Also this needs FOUR sets o' waddings!!! One above t' chute, then another set at t' bottom. Begad! Aye aye! This rocket takes a lot o' waddin' since Estes waddin' is nay very cheap I probably will never fly this one.

Flight Rating: 1 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket has a very unique recovery and has thru t' wall fin mounts so t' fins are self aligned. Arrr! But two parachutes adds complications such as twisted shroud lines and this rocket uses too many waddings. Arrr! I think this is where Pratt's heatshield comes in handy.

Seal off t' holes, me hearties, use t' pod as clusters, and deploy t' chute in a traditional way. Avast, me proud beauty! This way it will use a lot less waddin' and it makes a great model for those who wants t' get started in clustering.

Overall Rating: 2 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes Gemini DC By George Pluck (July 8, 2013)

    The Estes Gemini DC features twin 'chute deployment from the rear of two attached side pods.  Though much maligned, it's a very cool kit Components Three tubes, one main and two for the side pods Balsa fins mount through the main tube Plastic nose cones My kit came with an extra engine clip as well as the usual Estes components. ...

  • 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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