Estes Star Wars X-Wing (mini)

Estes - Mini Star Wars X-Wing {Kit}

Contributed by Wayne Froese

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Length: 6.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: Futuristic/Exotic, RTF

Brief
This is a quick t' fly, matey, ready-built model. An easily removed engine mount holds t' mini engine and is recovered by streamer. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' main body is tumble recovery.

Construction
There wasn't much t' do before you were ready t' fly. Well, blow me down! Add clay weights t' t' 4 aft 'engines' and CA t' 4 small fins and then you are ready for finishing.

Finishing
A decal pack came with no guidance as t' where they were t' be placed. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! They were obviously battle scars for your X-Win' so I applied them in almost a random pattern.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

[Rocket Pic]Flight
T' first flight up was beautiful. Arrr! It is nay a high flier and with t' mini-engines t' ride be over quickly. Begad! Arrr! I wasn't prepared for t' landing. Avast! T' engine pod ejected and t' streamer barely unfurled. Avast! It fell like a stone due t' t' weight o' t' engine casin' and t' presence o' a metal shaft in its construction. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' body also came down frighteningly fast but neither piece suffered damage.

On t' second flight t' metal weight broke off t' engine pod. Begad! My mistake was t' glue it together with model cement instead o' CA. Ahoy! T' third launch ended with t' ejection charge blowin' t' metal piece out t' body o' t' rocket. As I figure it, I have one more launch before t' electrical tape gives out.

Recovery
I dislike streamers. T' recovery method o' t' engine pod was insufficient for its weight.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary
I liked that it was very close t' t' X-Win' in t' movies. It flew straight and was easy t' get going. Ahoy! Ahoy! Breakin' as it landed sort o' ruined t' nice feelings I be having

UPDATE 7/99:
After writin' this review, I purchased another pair o' these X Wings on eBay. Blimey! I had assumed that I was t' cause o' t' problems that I was experiencin' with these rockets. After readin' t' guest comments and me further experience, I must agree that these rockets are too dangerous t' launch. However, I can't resist t' idea o' sendin' these up again but without t' original engine pod. Begad! Blimey! I would appreciate your ideas about designin' a replacement recovery system and engine mount. Please contact me.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

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