Estes NSA Starship Starter Set

Estes - NSA Starship Starter Set {Launch/Starter Set}

Contributed by Eric Truax

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes

Rocket PicConstruction:

This is a pre-assembled rocket starter kit. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Just tie t' 'chute t' t' shock cord, add wadding, ya bilge rat, drop in your engine, ya bilge rat, screw t' plastic on t' back, add igniter, me bucko, put on pad, put batteries in t' launch controller, me hearties, hook up clips, matey, and PUSH BUTTON!

I bought this kit at Wal-Mart because me wife wanted t' get into t' sport. Arrr! Nay knowin' much about it except for watchin' me, I thought this would be a good way t' get her started. Arrr! Arrr! She is good in t' kitchen, but nay at t' workbench! I still had t' put it on t' pad for her. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' rocket looked nice, me hearties, but t' body tube is flimsy.

Finishing:

None was required. Begad! Aye aye! T' rocket looked nice overall, me bucko, but t' decal was faded in spots and t' paint on t' nose be a little splotchy at t' top where t' gold point is.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:

This thin' needs help! T' motor is held in with t' twist on plastic cap at t' tail. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! I would recommend t' B4-4 motor. Avast, me proud beauty! I used three o' those then a C6-5 which was a BIG mistake! It took four sheets o' waddin' placed in one at a time and staggered in t' tube t' keep from burnin' t' Estes 'chute.

There be some wind on t' first flight and it kicked t' tail section out from under it on t' first lift-off at about 75 feet causin' it t' almost be powered into t' ground. Blimey! When thar was no wind it flew fine, me hearties, but still cocked a little bit.

When I put in t' C6-5, matey, thar was about a 5mph gust just as it got t' about 100 feet causin' it t' fly crooked and way off on an angle. T' engine seemed too powerful though as, even once it cleared t' pad, it looked unstable. Aye aye! Begad! I did nay have a chance t' re-test t' stability o' t' rocket in a swin' test for weight because a tree ate it on that flight.

Recovery:

Use at least four sheets o' recovery waddin' or your 'chute will get burned. Blimey! T' shock cord put a little dent in t' top o' t' tube, arrr, but nay enough t' affect anythin' as t' nose cone keeps it right. Begad! I would recommend a spill hole in t' 'chute as it really hangs in t' air if you have a breeze and this baby will drift!

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:

PROs: If you know nothin' about this sport, ya bilge rat, this is a good starter kit and is an easy rocket t' prep. Ahoy! Blimey! CONs: Don't fly it in any breeze and stick t' t' B-size motors as this rocket is flimsy and possibly unstable.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

Comments:

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B.G.A. (February 27, 2006)
I don't think this review was fair at all. I have one, and its one of the best fliers in my fleet. It always gets 4-5 flights per session. I've flown mine on A8-3's, B6-4's, C6-3's, and C6-5's. And I've never had a real problem with it. Every so often a chute line might break, but that is just normal wear and tear. Its a starter set, yes. Is it an incredible rocket? No. But it is a decent one for what it is.
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B.S. (April 17, 2006)
I concur with the guest opinion. This rocket has flown over 24 times without any issues - largely on C6-5 engines. I've flown this in many different wind conditions - gusty as well as calm. The only changes I have made to the rocket are: 1)reinforced inside of the tubes with CA where the nosecone joins the body to make this a little stronger; and 2) I use a 9" nylon 'chute to make the recovery easier in higher winds.
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B.S. (May 9, 2006)
Based on my rejection of this review I decided to push things. My opinion of flying the kit stock are below (4/6). I added nose weight clay and put a D21 into the rocket on 4/30. It was picture perfect. For that flight I replaced the parachute with a 4x40" nylon streamer. It went WAY up there (estimated 1100') and came down faster than normal due to streamer. No damage, no windcocking (5 mph winds or higher) - it was a beauty to behold. If I continue to push it I will fillet the fins they are attached with a thin bond of plastic and there is actually a gap on one side of each fin that could be filled with CA or a plastic bonding epoxy. I think however I will remove the nose weight and go back to c6-5's - that's high enough. I just wanted to prove a point. In short - a well built RFT rocket that can be pushed if desired to twice it's normal thrust and altitude. Can even be brought down using a streamer (even with extra nose weight) and not lose a fin.
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D.C. (May 18, 2006)
I do not think this review was fair or accurate. I own the U.S Patriot Missile starter set, which is the exact same rocket with different decals. I have flown it on everything from A's to C's and it is stable and tough as nails. I have flown it probably 25+ times and it just keeps kicking. The only damage has been a broken fin that was easily repaired. In fact, I use this as the "sacrificial rocket" on launch days to test wind direction and speed etc... The kit is a great value and the rocket is a great little rocket that can stand up top a lot!
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J.C. (May 19, 2006)
Dude! Saying your wife "is good in the kitchen, but not at the workbench" in a public forum?! You, my friend, must love living dangerously...

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