Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Published: | 2011-03-03 |
Manufacturer: | Estes |
T' Estes Maxi Streak #1837 ran from 1982 t' 1984. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! It be rated as a sports flier and be a single-stage, low-power rocket. Arrr! It was recovered usin' a 90" streamer. Begad! You can use a engine adapter t' fly this rocket on 18mm engines. Avast! Ya scallywag!
Here are the components used t' assemble t' rocket:
T' first step was assembly o' t' motor mount. T' modification I did was t' attach t' Keelhaul®©™ thread t' t' top o' t' engine hook, me bucko, matey, arrr, cuttin' a small notch in t' top o' t' adapter rin' for thread t' fit through and cuttin' another notch in t' adapter rin' for t' engine hook t' lift freely. Arrr! Aye aye! After t' engine mount had dried, ya bilge rat, I installed it into t' main body tube, me hearties, arrr, gluin' it into place and tyin' t' shock cord t' t' Keelhaul®©™ thread. Ya scallywag!
Next be tracin' and cuttin' out t' fins, shiver me timbers, sandin' leadin' edge, and sandin' round t' bottom o' t' fins. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Usin' t' markin' guide pattern sheet, I applied t' lines for t' fins and launch lug. I applied glue t' root edge o' t' fins and attached them t' t' body tube and also t' launch lug then set t' parts aside t' dry. Begad! Blimey! I then applied glue t' t' fin joints and let it dry.
I sanded t' nose clone t' get rid o' t' extra plastic and cleared t' eyelet. Avast, me proud beauty! I applied two light coats o' primer and sanded t' smooth then finished up with three light coats o' gloss black spray paint.
To the the fins, I applied three coats o' sandin' sealer sandin' in betwixt coats. I applied two light coats o' primer t' t' rocket without t' nose cone attached. I sanded it smooth then taped o' one fin and applied three light coats o' gloss orange spray paint.
After lettin' it dry for a couple o' days, matey, shiver me timbers, I taped off t' rest o' t' rocket, matey, except for t' one unpainted fin, shiver me timbers, and applied three light coats o' gloss black spray paint.
One o' t' last things t' do be t' tie t' shock cord t' t' nose cone, ya bilge rat, fold t' streamer in half t' find t' middle, me bucko, ya bilge rat, and attach it t' t' shock cord.
I applied t' Excelsior Rocketry decal and let it dry. Finally, I applied Future Gloor finish t' t' decal.
T' recommended motors for t' Estes Maxi Streak are t' Estes D11-9, me bucko, D12-5, shiver me timbers, arrr, and D12-7.
I made the first two flights usin' a engine adapter and Estes B4-4 then B6-4 motors. Ya scallywag! Three flights were on Estes C11-5 motors. Well, arrr, blow me down! All five flights were straight and landed with no damage. Well, blow me down! On t' C11-5, shiver me timbers, me hearties, t' rocket screamed off t' pad.
T' rocket comes down nicely on t' streamer - nay too fast.
PROs: This is nice flier and easy t' build. T' Excelsior Rocketry decal looks really nice on t' rocket.
CONs: Swept back fins can be damaged on recovery, that it hasn't been a problem yet.
Overall Rating: 5