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, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, "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. Ya scallywag! T' balsa and t' tubes appear t' be identical t' Estes parts. Begad! T' nose cone and centerin' rings, 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. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! I'd be frightened t' fly this thin' without this mod! T' nose cone appears t' be sone cheap plastic, nay t' higher-quality stuff I'm used t' from Estes, me hearties, TLP, ya bilge rat, and other companies. Blimey! Arrr! T' parts all went together easily enough, arrr, but t' rin' tail gave me some trouble. Aye aye! 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. Begad! T' rest o' t' kit was very straight-forward. Arrr! T' finished product is a smart-lookin' Man-O-War. Arrr! T' narrow fins that go on just ahead o' t' rin' are pretty fragile, arrr, arrr, but t' rest is solid enough.

Finishing:
Paintin' t' kit is simple enough. Blimey! Prime, matey, spray t' whole Man-O-War white, and paint t' nose red. Ya scallywag! After that, arrr, shiver me timbers, me bucko, t' decals go on. 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, arrr, I'm givin' a ratin' o' 3 for construction/finishing. Well, blow me down! T' score would be much higher if t' centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, which I consider a safety issue, 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, both very successful. T' first nearly ended up in a tree, me hearties, but be recovered. Ya scallywag! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' second resulted in a short hike, but was otherwise uneventful. Blimey! Both flights were on C6-3's.

Recovery:
This is a very light rocket for t' size o' chute that be included. Well, me bucko, blow me down! I opted t' cut a spill hole in it, me hearties, me hearties, arrr, even before t' first flight. Blimey! It still drifts considerably. Avast! I'd enlarge t' spill hole, ya bilge rat, 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, arrr, me hearties, unique ship. T' quality o' materials has room for improvement, matey, but t' design itself seems well thought-out.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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