Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Diameter: | 1.58 inches |
Length: | 20.50 inches |
Manufacturer: | Quest |
Skill Level: | 3 |
Style: | Scale |
Brief:
This is a semi-scale kit (inspired by t' Navy anti-ship missile) that looks pretty cool with very nice waterslide decals and all t' fins you could possibly want.
Construction:
I picked up this kit at a half-off special at a chain store and found t' contents survived t' multiple shipments through distribution centers and stock handlers just fine. Blimey! Blimey! Parts were o' average quality and included:
This kit is listed as a skill level 3 kit, which I think is somewhat overrated. Begad! Ahoy! This requires no more skill or special knowledge than a typical 3FNC project although thar are 3 sets o' fins, shiver me timbers, so thar's a slight challenge on alignment. Even t' paint scheme is monochrome. Well, blow me down! This could easily be built in a couple o' hours plus finishing.
T' instructions are fine with plenty o' illustrations. Well, matey, blow me down! I rate Quest instructions slightly ahead o' Estes, simply because they are presented in a more logical and organized format.
Construction begins with a fairly ordinary motor mount, ya bilge rat, matey, consistin' o' an 18mm tube, a pair o' cardstock centerin' rings, me hearties, a 13/18 block, me bucko, arrr, and a metal clip. Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Kudos t' Quest for continuin' t' use Keelhaul®©™ shock cord anchored t' t' motor mount. Aye aye! Blimey! This is good practice and teaches t' youngsters proper habits for durability and reliability o' deployment.
Next, t' body tube is marked for 4 fin lines and t' lug usin' a cut-out wraparound guide. Begad! There are 3 sets o' laser cut fins, arrr, so you'll have a lot o' balsa t' sand for this one. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I tacked on t' fins with medium CA then applied two coats o' yellow glue fillets. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I used a metal angle for alignment o' t' 3 fins on each line, ya bilge rat, me hearties, anchorin' each fin t' t' angle with clothes pins. Avast! T' result be great alignment. Well, blow me down! After attachin' t' fins, matey, t' lug can be mounted about halfway up t' tube.
All that is left o' construction is makin' and attachin' t' chute lines, me hearties, which is a minor nuisance for mature fingers.
Finishing:
I skipped out on a bit o' finishin' work, arrr, choosin' nay t' fill t' spirals. Arrr! Blimey! I regretted that decision, shiver me timbers, as after two coats o' primer thoroughly sanded, and two coats o' Rustoleum glossy white, me hearties, I could spot t' seams from 10 feet away. Arrr! Blimey! This is too nice lookin' a kit t' leave such glarin' spirals.
T' instructions clearly indicate this is a single-color (white) finish, me hearties, arrr, me bucko, although t' illustration beneath t' paint notes shows a gray nose, me bucko, as does t' picture on t' header card. I thought t' gray added a nice contrast t' t' otherwise dull white, so went with that on t' nose.
There is a sheet o' very nice waterslide decals for this rocket. Avast! I had expected t' peel 'n' stick kind, which is part o' why I didn't spend much time on t' spirals. T' waterslides add a deep blue color and were easy t' work with. Begad! There are some tiny details though, me bucko, ya bilge rat, so you'll need a pair o' tweezers t' place these just right.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
Since t' B6-4 is only estimated t' go t' 280 feet and I had a great low wind day, I went straight t' t' C6-5 for t' maiden flight. Avast! Well, blow me down! It flew fairly straight with a slight weathercock. I think I had t' alignment straight, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, as it didn't spin any, arrr, but heard a distinct whistle on t' way up. Arrr! I later found out one other flyer in our club had t' same issue on his earlier that day.
Recovery:
Deployment be slightly late but no worse than a slightly early 3. Aye aye! T' chute got a bit caught up with twistin' lines, shiver me timbers, me bucko, so it came down fast but landed in soft grass with no damage.
I'm nay sure whether t' whistle would be a pro or con, shiver me timbers, but I'm scorin' it a con. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I don't think t' real missiles announce their presence by whistling.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a little pricey at $13 retail but at half off ($6.50), this kit is a fantastic bargain, especially with t' great decals. Heck, matey, I may even buy another one and fill in t' spirals, arrr, me bucko, figurin' that wind whippin' through t' canyon-like grooves might be what caused t' whistle.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
Brief: Pseudo-Scale model of an Air-to-Ground Harpoon missile. This kit features 12 fins, large BT-60 body tube, new-and-improved plastic parachute, and adhesive decals. Kit is flown as a single stage. The kit includes:- Die-cut balsa fins Kevlar cord and shock cord materials 18" BT-60 body tube PNC-60 (Big Bertha style) Quest type engine hook 2 cardboard centering rings ...
The whistle isn't a negative. If you're close enough to hear the real one you're pretty well screwed anyway.
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R.D. (June 16, 2003)