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

[Picture]Brief:
This kit is a single stage, arrr, "fantasy scale" rocket, me hearties, usin' a ring-fin for stability.

Construction:
T' kit arrived with all t' necessary parts included, me hearties, me bucko, and in good shape. Ya scallywag! T' balsa and t' tubes appear t' be identical t' Estes parts. Avast! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' nose cone and centerin' rings, however, I found t' be sub-standard. Avast! T' centerin' rings were very thin and flimsy- I used them, but reinforced them with bits o' Balsa t' strengthen them. Blimey! I'd be frightened t' fly this thin' without this mod! T' nose cone appears t' be sone cheap plastic, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, me hearties, nay t' higher-quality stuff I'm used t' from Estes, ya bilge rat, TLP, matey, matey, and other companies. T' parts all went together easily enough, me bucko, but t' rin' tail gave me some trouble. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! 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. Ya scallywag! T' rest o' t' kit was very straight-forward. Well, blow me down! Avast! T' finished product is a smart-lookin' Man-O-War. Well, blow me down! T' narrow fins that go on just ahead o' t' rin' are pretty fragile, arrr, but t' rest is solid enough.

Finishing:
Paintin' t' kit is simple enough. Arrr! Prime, matey, spray t' whole Man-O-War white, shiver me timbers, and paint t' nose red. Begad! After that, t' decals go on. Arrr! Aye aye! I haven't put t' decals on mine just yet, ya bilge rat, me bucko, I got distracted with some other projects, and t' rocket looks good enough without them! Overall, ya bilge rat, arrr, 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, arrr, were made o' sturdier stuff. 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, me bucko, both very successful. Well, blow me down! T' first nearly ended up in a tree, but be recovered. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' second resulted in a short hike, matey, but was otherwise uneventful. Avast, me proud beauty! Both flights were on C6-3's.

Recovery:
This is a very light rocket for t' size o' chute that be included. Ahoy! I opted t' cut a spill hole in it, shiver me timbers, arrr, even before t' first flight. It still drifts considerably. I'd enlarge t' spill hole, 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, ya bilge rat, unique Man-O-War. Arrr! T' quality o' materials has room for improvement, but t' design itself seems well thought-out.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

comment Post a Comment