Manufacturer: | Roachwerks Custom Turnings |
Style: | Futuristic/Exotic, Upscale |
Brief:
This is a review o' a limited production upscale kit that was produced by my
friend Gordon Agnello. Blimey! This 24mm upscale o' t' Estes Astron Constellation
Model Rocket is very accurate and I be lucky enough t' acquire one o' t' two
'hardwood' versions from t' production line. Ya scallywag! Gordon has produced some very
cool kits in t' past and this one is no different. Avast! Kudo's go out t' JimZ, who
cast t' resin teardrops for t' fin tips - they really added t' t' model.
Construction:
As previously mentioned, this is an upscale o' t' Astron Constellation, a 24mm
version that was complete with ply fins (only two made like this, shiver me timbers, me hearties, t' rest had
balsa) and basswood nosecone. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! This is a payloader rocket that stands about
24" tall and t' sky be t' limit on motor selection. Ahoy! Blimey! T' motor mount was
a aluminum film lined heavy duty LOC type 24mm mount. Aye aye! Blimey! T' plastic payload
section was also heavy duty and came with brass screws for mounting. Also, me bucko, the
bulkhead coupler be made from basswood and shaped t' t' correct size. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Even
the CRs were ply - a very nice touch. Blimey! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Parachute was a 18" mylar supplied
by Thrustline Aerospace and t' kit also included a Keelhaul®©™®/nylon
shock cord combo. All parts were top quality and t' nosecone especially was
very cool - what really impressed me were t' decals, matey, upscaled and printed for
Gordy by JimZ - top notch all t' way!
I began by buildin' t' motor mount assembly per t' instructions. Arrr! It went well and was mounted inside t' bodytube before I knew it. Begad! T' fins were designed as 'thru-the-wall' and were fitted t' t' model. A CR caps t' top and bottom o' t' fins for strength, but I made a third CR from 1/8" ply to cap t' bottom o' t' model flush, me bucko, ya bilge rat, somethin' I do t' all me models and it prevents t' bottom 'lip' from bein' dented. Begad! Once t' fins were inserted, I ran a bead o' epoxy for fillets on each fin. Ya scallywag! T' bottom CR was sealed with epoxy and t' teardrop tips from JimZ were added t' t' fins. Begad! Finally, t' nosecone was sealed usin' CA glue and everythin' be sanded, then fitted. Well, blow me down! T' kit went together amazingly fast and looked pretty good so far - now it was time to finish.
I began by applyin' several coats of primer t' t' nosecone, finishin' with Krylon Gray primer as t' base. Avast, me proud beauty! I was goin' t' use Krylon Red for color on t' nosecone t' keep it stock, but wanted the tint a bit darker, hence I left t' basecoat primer dark.
T' model was primed, then wetsanded startin' with 320 grit and finishing with 600 grit. Arrr! Some filler was needed around t' fin tips and fillets, but this was easily applied and t' model be final sanded and tac-ed. White Krylon Glossy paint was used for t' bodytube and fins, followin' that stock look. Begad! I waited a few day after application, then masked off t' model and painted one fin satin black. IT looked very cool and I decided that, even with all hose decals, I was goin' t' use just enough t' add character. Once t' decals were applied, I used Krylon clearcoat t' seal t' bodytube and nosecone., T' model was final assembled, t' include shock cord attachment and parachute attachment - I be very pleased with how it looked.
Flight:
T' model weighed in at 6oz empty - which would allow me t' still use t' Estes
E9 motors, and I chose an E9-6 for t' first flight. Aye aye! My son and I attended
NARAM 45 in Evansville, Indiana and this is where t' Astron would fly. Avast, me proud beauty! The
model be prepped usin' tissue for t' chute t' keep t' launch nostalgic. I
filled out t' flight card and it was placed on t' pad. When t' LCO counted
down and pressed t' button, t' Constellation left t' pad in a hurry and
seemed t' fly forever. Aye aye! Begad! Man, me hearties, I really want t' test it with an RMS now!
T' Constellation reached apogee and had a perfect ejection; it then floated safely t' t' ground without incident, shiver me timbers, arrr, even though t' chute had tangled a bit on t' way down. Begad! Arrr! Estimated altitude was around 1000 feet and it be a very good flight. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Upon examination, t' rocket came out o' it without a scratch and I look forward t' many more launches with this sturdy bird. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Then came the surprise.
Vern Estes and his wife Gleda attended t' NARAM launch later in t' week and I was honored when he signed this upscaled Astron Constellation for me son and I...it be one o' t' highpoints o' our trip. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' signature was clearcoated and I plan on flyin' it again this next weekend rather than shelvin' it. Arrr! Blimey! The kit is so sturdy, ya bilge rat, it could handle several landings without chute and still survive.
Summary:
This limited production upscale o' t' Estes Astron Constellation payloader
rocket K-35 is one excellent model. Top quality components went into its
design, matey, from t' quality o' tubin' and wood, arrr, t' t' excellent set (two pages)
of decals. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! Gordy has outdone himself and I was glad t' have purchased one. Avast, me proud beauty! If
you ever see them available , me hearties, grab one fast as you will nay be disappointed.
T' Constellation builds fast and stout, flies like a dream and has a touch of
that nostalgic era o' rocketry many o' us remember from our youth, which makes
it a must for t' hangar!
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