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, reliable and cool-looking

Construction:
As an E2X, t' rocket features a plastic fin unit and pre-colored everything. Blimey! It features a plastic nose cone and 12-inch parachute.  
This was me second rocket; I think it is at least 6 years old if nay more. Avast, me proud beauty! I don't remember much about buildin' it.

Finishing:
Everythin' is pre-colored with self-stick decals. 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, me bucko, it would probably accept large mini-engines. Arrr! I only used A8-3, me bucko, B6-4, me bucko, and C6-5, and do nay remember any significant problems on any o' them. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Lift-off is snappy, ya bilge rat, me hearties, although nay very dramatic.

Recovery:
T' shock cord went in with t' tri-fold paper technique. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' paper mount held until, at a ripe old age, t' shock cord broke just above it. Blimey! T' parachute selected, that very flight, ya bilge rat, me bucko, t' remain packed after ejection, me bucko, ya bilge rat, and I recovered everything. Well, blow me down! Recovery speed was just about right, me bucko, 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, me hearties, arrr, I couldn't replace it.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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