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, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, one center core BT-20 tube, matey, ya bilge rat, one "Bat handle" tube, matey, two piece motor mount/clear fin unit with plastic motor retainer ring, matey, mount for t' "baseball", one 12" plastic pre-assembled parachute, ya bilge rat, one 1/8" width rubber shock cord, 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. Avast! T' model is surprisingly sturdy when completed. Begad! It is easy t' build--Santa built this in one evening. Requires tube-type plastic cement and yellow wood glue. Blimey! T' two possible "gotchas" are t' alignment for t' launch rod and t' shroud line attachments. Avast, me proud beauty! There is no problem though if t' instructions are followed on the launch rod alignment and just check t' shroud lines before flight. Well, blow me down! Avast! Two o' them in this kit were nay double-knotted.

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

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Estes Pop Fly

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

Recovery:
No problems on t' recovery. Aye aye! 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! Ahoy! Santa brought it for me 8-year old son Timmy who is a baseball nut. Well, blow me down! Avast! It is a perfect combination in this instance. Begad! Blimey! When we flew it t' day after Christmas, me bucko, me bucko, he had the fly ball in his sights, shiver me timbers, but he slipped and didn't make t' catch. Well, blow me down! Error Timmy. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! However, I believe t' idea behind these off-the-wall kits is t' interest kids in rocketry. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Timmy already was interested (bein' me son and havin' rocket stuff all over t' house, matey, 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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