Custom Rockets Satellite Drone

Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone {Kit} (10022)

Contributed by Kevin Drayson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Length: 17.75 inches
Manufacturer: Custom Rockets
Skill Level: 3
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

Brief:
This kit is a single stage, "fantasy scale" rocket, ya bilge rat, usin' a ring-fin for stability.

Construction:
T' kit arrived with all t' necessary parts included, and in good shape. T' balsa and t' tubes appear t' be identical t' Estes parts. Avast, me proud beauty! T' nose cone and centerin' rings, me hearties, however, I found t' be sub-standard. Begad! T' centerin' rings were very thin and flimsy- I used them, but reinforced them with bits o' Balsa t' strengthen them. Aye aye! Avast! I'd be frightened t' fly this thin' without this mod! T' nose cone appears t' be sone cheap plastic, shiver me timbers, nay t' higher-quality stuff I'm used t' from Estes, TLP, and other companies. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' parts all went together easily enough, but t' rin' tail gave me some trouble. Begad! T' span o' t' fins was just a bit too short, so I wound up havin' t' hold t' rin' in place while t' glue dried. Arrr! T' rest o' t' kit be very straight-forward. Arrr! T' finished product is a smart-lookin' ship. Ahoy! Begad! T' narrow fins that go on just ahead o' t' rin' are pretty fragile, but t' rest is solid enough.

Finishing:
Paintin' t' kit is simple enough. Begad! Prime, ya bilge rat, arrr, spray t' whole ship white, me bucko, and paint t' nose red. Begad! After that, shiver me timbers, t' decals go on. Ahoy! I haven't put t' decals on mine just yet, I got distracted with some other projects, and t' rocket looks good enough without them! Overall, I'm givin' a ratin' o' 3 for construction/finishing. T' score would be much higher if t' centerin' rings, which I consider a safety issue, were made o' sturdier stuff. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' poorly-fittin' ring/fin arrangement costs them as well.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
I've had two flights on me Satellite Drone so far, both very successful. Blimey! T' first nearly ended up in a tree, me bucko, but was recovered. Begad! Begad! T' second resulted in a short hike, arrr, matey, but was otherwise uneventful. Ahoy! Both flights were on C6-3's.

Recovery:
This is a very light rocket for t' size o' chute that be included. Begad! Ya scallywag! I opted t' cut a spill hole in it, me bucko, even before t' first flight. It still drifts considerably. Avast! I'd enlarge t' spill hole, me bucko, but I'm worried about breakin' those narrow forward fins.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' final product is a very nice looking, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, unique ship. Blimey! Arrr! T' quality o' materials has room for improvement, but t' design itself seems well thought-out.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

ID
Date
Flyer
Rocket
Kit
Motors
Altitude
Action
76262
2023-06-17 photo
Bill Eichelberger
Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone
Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone {Kit}
C6-5
800 Feet
list
75452
2022-04-03 photo
Bill Eichelberger
Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone
Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone {Kit}
C6-5
750 Feet
list
72219
2018-03-04 photo
Bill Eichelberger
Fishhead Rocketry - Satellite Regent
Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone {Kit}
A8-3
250 Feet
list
72029
2017-11-26 photo
Bill Eichelberger
Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone
Custom Rockets - Satellite Drone {Kit}
B6-4
250 Feet
list
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