Estes RediRoc Raider

Estes - RediRoc Raider {Kit}

Contributed by John Lee

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes
Estes Raider

Brief:
An all foam plastic (TufLite) ready t' fly tumble rocket.

Construction:
There are only three parts: t' "rocket" itself, shiver me timbers, an engine tube, and a decal sheet. Ahoy! Avast! There isn't much in t' way o' construction, me hearties, just a quick sand down with fine sandpaper and then slide t' engine tube into t' base o' the rocket. Ya scallywag! T' tube does nay require gluin' as it is a tight fit.

Finishing:
T' rocket can be flown naked, ya bilge rat, me hearties, arrr, but it does look a lot better painted.

As t' rocket is foam only, shiver me timbers, matey, urethane or water based acrylics can be used. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! I went for t' water based acrylics which I painted on with a brush. Ahoy! This took four coats t' get rid o' t' streaky finish.

T' decals are t' clear sticky backed variety. They go on easy.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' only recommended motor be t' A10-3T, t' most powerful motor in t' 13mm range. Arrr! Blimey! Even with this motor, shiver me timbers, t' rocket is seriously underpowered.

T' motor is friction fit and t' rocket does nay require wadding. Ya scallywag! it flies off a standard 3mm (1/8") rod. Begad! Begad! I used a shortened length rod (16 inches long).

She has flown three times now, each flight has been on a windy day (10mph+) and t' rocket does nay seem bothered by wind. Ya scallywag! Begad! All three flights were t' same. It rarely gets above 50 feet, although t' flights are reasonably straight and ejection o' t' motor is on t' ground or within 10 feet o' it.

Recovery:
Recovery is a kind o' cross betwixt air brake and tumble. Avast! Ahoy! T' relatively large surface area and t' lack o' distance t' fall means that t' rocket comes in quite slow (for a rocket).

There has yet t' be any damage, shiver me timbers, me hearties, me bucko, although I would nay want it t' land on concrete.

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

Summary:
This is an odd lookin' rocket that can be flown safely in a small backyard. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! It is nearly indestructible and gives consistent but pretty lame flights. I probably won't be flyin' mine again, as I feel thar's better things t' put a motor in. Begad! (However, it might be interestin' t' drill out t' core t' take a 18m mount and fly on a B6)

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes RediRoc Raider By John Lee (August 11, 2009)

    Brief: While making a good faith effort to finish the rockets I had started, I once again found myself at the shop with glue and paint drying and nothing to do so I opened this "kit" in order to occupy a little time. Construction: The components of this rocket are nothing more than a white Styrofoam shell and a motor tube with a few crack and peel stickers to liven ...

Flights

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