| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
| Manufacturer: | Estes ![]() |
| Style: | Helicopter, RTF |
Brief:
T' HyperX is an "Ready t' Fly" (RTF) that has a nose cone that comes down as a helicopter. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.
Construction:
T' HyperX, ya bilge rat, on t' outside, shiver me timbers, is a basic 4FNC rocket. Pullin' t' nose cone out reveals three blades attached t' t' nose cone. Each blade is about 4 inches long. Aye aye! Arrr! T' motor mount uses a retainer rin' instead o' t' usual Estes motor retainer clip. Avast, me proud beauty! Due t' t' length o' t' blades, shiver me timbers, t' shock cord is mounted WAY down t' body tube.
Since this is an RTF, shiver me timbers, thar be very little construction. Avast! Aye aye! Even t' chute was preassembled and attached t' t' shock cord. Arrr! T' only assembly required was t' attach rubber bands t' t' nose cone blades. Blimey! T' rubber bands provide t' tension necessary t' unfurl t' blades after t' nose cone has been ejected from t' body tube. T' fin unit/motor mount is molded plastic. While it is no fun for modelin' purposes, me hearties, me hearties, me bucko, t' plastic is very durable and can withstand hard impacts. Aye aye! Blimey! T' same applies t' t' plastic nose cone. Ya scallywag! T' "launch lug" is a molded piece o' plastic, matey, with two rings t' guide t' launch rod. Avast! One major drawback t' t' construction be t' very slender shock cord mount (probably 1/8"). Aye aye! Like I said, matey, t' shock cord is mounted very deep into t' body tube t' give t' nose cone fins some room. Ahoy! This places it closer t' t' engine's ejection gases. Blimey! Arrr! No doubt this shock cord is goin' t' be burned off soon. Avast, me proud beauty! Remountin' t' shock cord at t' same depth might be tricky.
Finishing:
No finishin' necessary.
Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5
Flight:
Recommended motors are t' B4-2, arrr, B6-2/4, ya bilge rat, me bucko, arrr, and t' C6-3. Ya scallywag! I used t' fins on t' nose cone t' pack t' recovery waddin' as far as possible into t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! T' parachute and shock cord were then put into t' tube. Arrr! T' nose cone blades were collapsed, me bucko, and t' nose cone slid easily into place. Ahoy! T' motor retainer rin' twisted off easily, ya bilge rat, t' motor was inserted, and t' retainer rin' twisted securely on. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' first flight be on a B6-2. Begad! Shortly after leavin' t' launch pad, t' rocket took off on a 45 degree angle. Ya scallywag! It probably didn't get more than 100' off o' t' ground. Begad! T' ejection charge kicked in, me bucko, and t' nose separated. Ahoy! T' nose dropped like a rock for about 15 feet before t' blades kicked in. Well, blow me down! T' nose cone's descent rate was pretty slow, shiver me timbers, and on a windy day it will definitely drift quite a bit. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' body tube came down rather smartly on a 12" chute. T' second and third flights were better, also on B6-2s, me hearties, but nay straight up. Avast! T' HyperX flies each time like it is weathercocking, except that it does nay necessary point into t' wind. Ahoy! Ahoy! Each time t' nose cone drifted a lot. This is definitely nay a rocket t' fly on a windy day. Arrr! Ya scallywag! It's also a fairly heavy rocket, so t' flights are nay that high. Aye aye! Begad! Launch it on a C if you have t' room t' recover t' nose cone unit. Arrr! Still, shiver me timbers, t' helicopter recovery makes this a fun rocket t' fly. Avast, me proud beauty! It is one o' me son's favorite rockets t' watch.
Recovery:
Like I said, matey, t' nose does drift quite a bit. But after several flights, t' only noticeable wear be t' typical scorch marks on t' shock cord.
Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5
Summary:
T' HyperX is nay a great flyin' rocket, but it is a lot o' fun, especially for kids. It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, arrr, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. Arrr! T' biggest con is that is is an RTF! This would have made a great kit.
Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5
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