Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Published: | 2010-06-30 |
Length: | 24.00 inches |
Manufacturer: | Quest |
Skill Level: | 3 |
Style: | Cluster, Payload |
Brief:
This is a dual 18mm parallel cluster rocket. It has a large payload bay, capable o' holdin' two
eggs. Ahoy! Blimey! It recovers with twin parachutes. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Quest has deemed is a skill level 3 rocket.
Construction:
Construction o' t' Magnum Sport Loader went fairly easily.
I had issues with t' fit o' t' half-moons on t' cluster mount. Begad! This was me first parallel cluster model, so it may have been inexperience. Ya scallywag! I had difficulty alignin' t' half-moons perpendicular t' t' engine tubes. This created fit issues when it came time t' glue t' cluster mount into t' body tube. I was able t' correct this with some light sanding.
Also, matey, t' instructions don't mention t' cut a notch into t' thrust rin' t' allow for t' thickness o' the Keelhaul®©™®. Addin' this slight modification made for a cleaner engine mount setup.
As a SPEV kit (Spare Parts Elimination Vehicle) designed t' empty out overstocked parts, me bucko, t' fin sheets had a large number o' fins nay used on t' rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! This is a great bonus, ya bilge rat, as thar were enough small fins for at least three future rockets.
Finishing:
Nothin' unique about t' finishin' o' this rocket, although t' balsa was crushed at the
edges, makin' a clean fin-edge difficult t' obtain.
I was pleasantly surprised t' find waterslide decals which went on beautifully. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' instructions recommend separatin' t' large MAGNUM decal into two halves t' keep t' application easier.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
T' first flight be on a pair o' Estes C6-5 engines. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I was very impressed with the
boost. T' effect o' t' cluster engines together was impressive. Begad! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! This was me second cluster kit, t' other bein' a
Deuce's Wild, and thus t' first where t' thrust from t' engines is parallel. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' protect t' dual parachutes, I used
a significant amount o' Estes wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I stuffed in maybe 10 sheets, shiver me timbers, and had no damage on either parachute.
Recovery:
T' shock cord is attached via Keelhaul®©™®
t' t' motor mount in typical Quest fashion. Arrr! It is made from thin elastic and an upgrade t' thicker material may be a
good idea.
T' twin parachutes are attached separately on t' cord- one at t' nosecone-eye as usual, one a few inches below with a figure-8 knot. Ahoy!
Because o' me laziness, I opted for a pair o' pre-constructed Estes chutes over t' Quest parachute assemblies. T' twin parachutes may be overkill for this design, as I did experience significant drift. Well, blow me down! Begad!
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
I enjoyed t' process o' buildin' this kit. It's a good sized rocket with eye catchin' lines.
It has t' added bonus o' spare parts which can be used on future projects.
T' only con was t' condition o' t' balsa, which I found t' be difficult t' work with. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! A laser-cut sheet would be preferable, but would defeat t' purpose o' a SPEV kit.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
J.A.L. (August 1, 2010)