Quest Micro Maxx - Alien UFO

Quest - Alien UFO {Kit}

Contributed by John Lee

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Quest
Quest Alien UFO MicroMaxx

Brief:
T' Alien UFO is a ready t' fly MicroMaxx rocket from Quest. It is saucer shaped, matey, uses a 6mm motor, and recovers by aerobraking.

[Editor Note: see also Quest MicroMaxx Series]

Construction:
T' rocket is RTF. Ahoy! It is made o' plastic and stickers are already in place. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! It has a plastic motor retainer rin' that is a bit delicate.

I have been wantin' t' try a MicroMaxx rocket. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I have gotten several, ya bilge rat, some RTFs from Quest and a few kits that needed t' be built but knew almost nothin' about them. I seem t' have trouble findin' information as well so I ordered an OOP Little Joe II starter set. Avast! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! As things turn out thought, shiver me timbers, t' Alien UFO be t' first one I tried t' fly.

There is nothin' t' assemble. It is already built.

Finishing:
T' rocket is already finished.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' MMX be t' only motor for this bird. Arrr! It slips in easy enough but t' plastic snap on retainer is a bit delicate and would be easy t' break.

I tried launchin' from t' Quest MicroMaxx pad but could never get t' motor t' ignite. Begad! Since this be at a club launch and I had some very anxious little boys I did nay want t' disappoint, ya bilge rat, I tried t' find an Estes igniter skinny enough t' fit in t' orifice. I never did find one that be perfect but finally found one that "almost" fit. I held it in place with a piece o' maskin' tape and connected t' leads from t' regular ignition system. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Blimey! I got tine so I decided we were go for launch.

T' rocket rose right up on t' first try. It ascended t' maybe 40 feet and then gently coasted down a few feet from t' pad. Arrr! Ahoy! It was interestin' but nay spectacular.

We decided t' try again but 6 igniters later, arrr, arrr, I still had nay gotten a good ignition. Arrr! Blimey! I'll try again some other time.

PROs: flies well

CONs: motor difficult t' ignite

Recovery:
T' rocket recovered by aerobraking. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! It was a gentle descent and t' rocket is ready t' go again.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a cute little beast and I guess t' rocket is dependable. Blimey! Blimey! T' motors are another matter though. Blimey! Blimey! I want t' do some more research and see if thar be a better way t' skin this cat.

PROs: launch from tiny areas, no building

CONs: unreliable ignition

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Quest Micro Maxx - Alien UFO By Dick Stafford (August 31, 2009)

    ( Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 08/31/09) Brief: This is a conversion for a MicroMaxx Alien UFO for 18mm power. Since I have two, I thought I'd cut and grind one of them up. Modifications: I basically just cut and ground out the center of the saucer and glued in the 18mm tube. Construction: Parts used: One Quest Alien UFO 1-1/2" of BT-20 1/8" lug ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
G.W. (May 27, 2009)
The MicroMaxx Alien UFO is one of my family's favorite rockets. We have 3 of them now. The motor retainer is easily lost, but a tiny strip of masking tape provides more than enough friction to keep the motor in the saucer. I initially had trouble launching mine from the silo launcher, usually due to a weak 9V battery or not making sure the igniter was totally inserted into the motor. I now use my 12V launcher with the Quest MicroMaxx Q2 igniters. I definitely give this one a 5/5 overall!

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