Estes Athena

Estes - Athena {Kit} (2026) [1990-1998]

Contributed by Ben Robinson

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

PicBrief:
A simple beginner's rocket, matey, me bucko, reliable and cool-looking

Construction:
As an E2X, arrr, shiver me timbers, t' rocket features a plastic fin unit and pre-colored everything. Well, blow me down! It features a plastic nose cone and 12-inch parachute.  
This be me second rocket; I think it is at least 6 years old if nay more. Begad! I don't remember much about buildin' it.

Finishing:
Everythin' is pre-colored with self-stick decals. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! If they were applied straight (I didn't quite manage t' do it) t' stylin' is impressive.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' rocket has an impressive selection o' recommended motors -- everythin' from 1/2A6-2 t' C6-7. With an adapter, arrr, it would probably accept large mini-engines. Aye aye! I only used A8-3, B6-4, and C6-5, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and do nay remember any significant problems on any o' them. Lift-off is snappy, although nay very dramatic.

Recovery:
T' shock cord went in with t' tri-fold paper technique. Begad! T' paper mount held until, me hearties, ya bilge rat, at a ripe old age, ya bilge rat, t' shock cord broke just above it. Ahoy! T' parachute selected, arrr, that very flight, t' remain packed after ejection, and I recovered everything. Recovery speed was just about right, arrr, shiver me timbers, although I would have preferred faster t' slower.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Pros: easy t' build, great looking, and durable Cons: When it died, I couldn't replace it.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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