Estes HyperX

Estes - Hyper-X {Kit} (1804)

Contributed by Steve Terrell

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes
Style: Helicopter, RTF

Rocket PicBrief:
T' HyperX is an "Ready t' Fly" (RTF) that has a nose cone that comes down as a helicopter. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.

Construction:
T' HyperX, me hearties, on t' outside, shiver me timbers, arrr, is a basic 4FNC rocket. Pullin' t' nose cone out reveals three blades attached t' t' nose cone. Begad! Each blade is about 4 inches long. Aye aye! Avast! T' motor mount uses a retainer rin' instead o' t' usual Estes motor retainer clip. Due t' t' length o' t' blades, t' shock cord is mounted WAY down t' body tube.

Since this is an RTF, thar be very little construction. 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. T' rubber bands provide t' tension necessary t' unfurl t' blades after t' nose cone has been ejected from t' body tube. Blimey! T' fin unit/motor mount is molded plastic. Begad! While it is no fun for modelin' purposes, arrr, t' plastic is very durable and can withstand hard impacts. T' same applies t' t' plastic nose cone. Begad! T' "launch lug" is a molded piece o' plastic, with two rings t' guide t' launch rod. Well, blow me down! Begad! One major drawback t' t' construction be t' very slender shock cord mount (probably 1/8"). Avast! Arrr! Like I said, ya bilge rat, me bucko, arrr, t' shock cord is mounted very deep into t' body tube t' give t' nose cone fins some room. Begad! This places it closer t' t' engine's ejection gases. No doubt this shock cord is goin' t' be burned off soon. 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, B6-2/4, matey, and t' C6-3. I used t' fins on t' nose cone t' pack t' recovery waddin' as far as possible into t' body tube. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' parachute and shock cord were then put into t' tube. Blimey! T' nose cone blades were collapsed, me hearties, and t' nose cone slid easily into place. Begad! T' motor retainer rin' twisted off easily, t' motor was inserted, and t' retainer rin' twisted securely on. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' first flight was on a B6-2. Shortly after leavin' t' launch pad, me hearties, t' rocket took off on a 45 degree angle. Ahoy! It probably didn't get more than 100' off o' t' ground. Begad! T' ejection charge kicked in, me hearties, and t' nose separated. Avast, me proud beauty! 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 be pretty slow, and on a windy day it will definitely drift quite a bit. T' body tube came down rather smartly on a 12" chute. Blimey! T' second and third flights were better, ya bilge rat, also on B6-2s, but nay straight up. Ahoy! T' HyperX flies each time like it is weathercocking, except that it does nay necessary point into t' wind. Arrr! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Each time t' nose cone drifted a lot. This is definitely nay a rocket t' fly on a windy day. Avast! It's also a fairly heavy rocket, so t' flights are nay that high. Ya scallywag! Launch it on a C if you have t' room t' recover t' nose cone unit. Blimey! Still, me bucko, t' helicopter recovery makes this a fun rocket t' fly. Begad! Ahoy! It is one o' me son's favorite rockets t' watch.

Recovery:
Like I said, t' nose does drift quite a bit. But after several flights, ya bilge rat, 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, matey, shiver me timbers, especially for kids. Avast! Begad! It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. Well, blow me down! T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. 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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