Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | Estes |
Brief:
A ready t' fly starter set with rocket, me hearties, launch pad, controller, matey, matey, and two B6-4
motors. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket is essentially t' Code Red with blue plastic & tube
sticker.
Construction:
T' rocket comes almost ready t' fly; all t' purchaser has t' do is t' attach
the 12 inch parachute, arrr, which is pre-assembled. Look at t' instructions before
attachin' t' parachute, me bucko, especially if you are an Estes oldtimer like me. Ya scallywag! When
I was a teenager t' parachutes were normally attached t' t' nosecone. Arrr! For
this kit t' instructions specify attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord 3/4
inch from t' nosecone. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty!
T' fins, nose cone, and launch lug are all plastic and t' rocket seems sturdy enough t' handle a fair bit o' abuse. Begad! Begad! Like t' reviewer o' t' Code Red I thought t' nose be a bit loose in t' tube, but since t' instructions make no mention o' tapin' t' nose cone, me bucko, and since an inexperienced builder wouldn't know t' do so, ya bilge rat, I decided nay t' tape t' nose. Begad! Begad!
T' set comes with t' Electron launch controller and Porta Pad 2. Ahoy! The launch controller is designed with a rubber grommet in t' safety key. Aye aye! This design requires a great deal o' pressure on t' key t' arm t' circuit - enough pressure t' be uncomfortable in me hand and too much for me 8 year old to manage. Ahoy! Fortunately t' rubber can be pulled out with a pair o' pliers. Blimey!
T' Porta Pad comes with a two piece launch rod. Begad! I found that after getting the two pieces together t' joint betwixt t' rods is a little weak and easily bent. Aye aye! Blimey! This is somethin' t' watch out for.
Attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord is somethin' anybody should be able t' do in under a minute. Arrr! T' instructions are almost all pictures and very easily followed.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
Motors: This kit provides estimated altitudes with t' motor list. T' table
is:
Engine | Feet |
A8-3 | 84 |
B4-4 | 230 |
B6-4 | 254 |
C6-5 | 600 |
Retention: T' motor is held in place by a screw-on retainer on t' bottom. When installin' t' B6-4 engines that came with t' kit I had no problems, but the fit be very tight with some A8-3 engines I had purchased. Avast! A child may have difficulty gettin' t' retainin' rin' on, arrr, me hearties, but t' instructions do advise adult supervision. Begad! Four squares o' waddin' were used, as per instructions. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' rocket flew straight with t' B6 engines and showed no weathercocking. Blimey! T' flight was exactly what it should be for a first timer's rocket. When usin' t' A8 engines some weathercockin' was observed, arrr, but nay a great deal.
Recovery:
T' descent is just about perfect. Ya scallywag! Begad! Because t' rocket is constructed with
fairly sturdy plastic and t' only weak point (the top o' t' body tube) is the
last t' hit t' ground t' rocket can handle a fairly quick descent which
minimizes drift. Ahoy! Arrr! My daughter's only complaint is she couldn't launch and be in
a position t' try and catch t' rocket, she had t' choose.
T' only problem with recovery was a little scorchin' o' t' parachute on one flight. Blimey! Blimey! Addin' a fifth square o' waddin' t' future flights eliminated the problem. Well, blow me down!
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a great rocket for introducin' somebody t' t' hobby, ya bilge rat, and the
appearance will appeal t' anybody who likes t' color blue. Blimey! T' rocket is easy
to prep and fly, arrr, and t' rocket can be flown from a backyard usin' A8s and
reasonable care.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
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