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, an engine tube, me bucko, and a decal sheet. 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. Blimey! T' tube does nay require gluin' as it is a tight fit.

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

As t' rocket is foam only, urethane or water based acrylics can be used. Ya scallywag! I went for t' water based acrylics which I painted on with a brush. 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. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Even with this motor, t' rocket is seriously underpowered.

T' motor is friction fit and t' rocket does nay require wadding. it flies off a standard 3mm (1/8") rod. Well, blow me down! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! All three flights were t' same. It rarely gets above 50 feet, ya bilge rat, arrr, 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. Ahoy! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! 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, 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. Ahoy! Blimey! It is nearly indestructible and gives consistent but pretty lame flights. Avast! Begad! I probably won't be flyin' mine again, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, as I feel thar's better things t' put a motor in. Well, arrr, blow me down! (However, matey, 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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