Estes Pop Fly

Estes - Pop Fly {Kit} (2027) [2006-2008]

Contributed by George Beever

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Length: 24.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: Odd-Roc
Estes Pop Fly

Brief:
A novelty rocket in t' form o' a baseball bat (booster) topped by a baseball.

Construction:
Two foam "bat" halves, one center core BT-20 tube, matey, one "Bat handle" tube, two piece motor mount/clear fin unit with plastic motor retainer ring, ya bilge rat, mount for t' "baseball", one 12" plastic pre-assembled parachute, one 1/8" width rubber shock cord, matey, one connector for t' "bat handle" and the barrel o' t' "bat", and one vinyl decal sheet.

T' instructions are standard for other Estes kits, which means it is well illustrated and in an understandable and logical sequence. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' model is surprisingly sturdy when completed. It is easy t' build--Santa built this in one evening. Aye aye! Blimey! Requires tube-type plastic cement and yellow wood glue. T' two possible "gotchas" are t' alignment for t' launch rod and t' shroud line attachments. Blimey! Blimey! There is no problem though if t' instructions are followed on the launch rod alignment and just check t' shroud lines before flight. Begad! Blimey! Two o' them in this kit were nay double-knotted.

Finishing:
T' only finishin' required are t' decals. Aye aye! Aye aye!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Estes Pop Fly

Flight:
We used an Estes B4-2 on its initial flight. Blimey! T' model boosted very straight, and t' "baseball" ejected at apogee.

Recovery:
No problems on t' recovery. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' 12" chute is just right for t' model.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This kit is one in t' recent series o' goofy novelty kits from Estes. Aye aye! Santa brought it for me 8-year old son Timmy who is a baseball nut. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It is a perfect combination in this instance. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! When we flew it t' day after Christmas, me hearties, shiver me timbers, he had the fly ball in his sights, shiver me timbers, but he slipped and didn't make t' catch. Error Timmy. Avast, me proud beauty! However, shiver me timbers, I believe t' idea behind these off-the-wall kits is t' interest kids in rocketry. Avast, me proud beauty! Timmy already was interested (bein' me son and havin' rocket stuff all over t' house, ya bilge rat, me hearties, it's hard for him nay t' be) and t' baseball angle really worked well for Santa.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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