Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Diameter: | 1.33 inches |
Length: | 17.70 inches |
Manufacturer: | Estes ![]() |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Futuristic/Exotic, Glider |
Brief:
Two Parasite Gliders lofted by an easy t' build rocket.
Construction:
T' rocket parts include two body tubes, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, plastic fincan halves, matey, fins, me hearties, launch lug and nosecone. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' recovery system consists o' a pre-made plastic parachute, and an elastic shock cord. Well, blow me down! T' gliders are made from foam parts, arrr, shiver me timbers, each with a plastic launch hook and a set o' decals. Arrr! T' foam wings have two adhesive strips on them that are use in t' assembly o' t' gliders.
Assembly is quick and easy. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' two motor mount halves are glued together. Begad! Then followin' t' header card picture, me hearties, t' fins and launch lug are glued onto t' fincan, and t' lower body tube is glued into place. Well, blow me down! Blimey! After t' glue sets, t' tube coupler is glued onto t' top o' t' lower body tube. It is important t' align t' launch lug on t' tube coupler with t' lug on t' fincan. Begad! Then t' upper body tube is glued on t' top o' t' tube coupler. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' shock cord is attached t' t' rocket usin' t' standard glue-and-fold paper method. Begad! T' parachute is pre-made, arrr, but put a dab o' glue on each nay t' prevent them from becomin' undone.
T' Gliders are made o' foam. Arrr! T' launch hooks o' t' gliders are glued into t' t' foam bodies with white glue. Then t' fuselage decals are applied, me hearties, arrr, care has t' be given, shiver me timbers, since t' decals can only be applied once. Arrr! Usin' a knife, t' slots for t' vertical stabilizer are cut into t' decal. Avast, me proud beauty! T' stabilizer is then glued onto t' body. Well, blow me down! T' decals for t' wings are applied, and then folded t' give t' win' t' right angle. Avast! Do nay fold them t' much (the instructions recommendation is t' much) because t' wings will crack. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Once t' desired angle is achieved, me hearties, t' backin' on t' adhesive is removed. Aye aye! Ahoy! Attachin' t' wings is easy.
Finishing:
Since t' rocket already has its decals in place for you and t' gliders decals are applied durin' assemble, thar be really no finishin' stage o' this rocket. Begad! T' only problem I see be t' gliders loosely hang from t' side o' t' rocket. Blimey! This may cause premature deployment o' t' gliders. Avast, me proud beauty! They should have some support on t' boosters fins so t' gliders wings have somethin' t' rest upon.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
Because o' t' snow, I did nay have t' opportunity t' properly trim t' gliders. Ahoy! Avast! I knew that they we too nose heavy, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and no amount o' adjustin' t' elevators be goin' t' fix that. Avast! Arrr! T' glider needed some clay t' add t' t' tail. On t' first o' March, I got t' opportunity t' fly t' rocket. I went over t' Phillip Exeter Academy in Exeter, me bucko, NH t' witness their Team America Challenge flights. Besides their two challenge flights, we also flew some regular rockets. Begad! I loaded me Shuttle with a B6-4. Begad! There was t' problems o' t' gliders blowin' around on t' booster while t' rocket sat on t' launch pad. Once I adjusted t' rocket so t' gliders would nay sway, matey, t' countdown commenced and t' rocket shot off with a B6-4. Avast, me proud beauty! Very nice flight, arrr, but as predicted, me bucko, arrr, t' gliders nose dived into t' snow. Aye aye! When warmer weather comes, me bucko, I plan t' properly trim t' gliders usin' clay, shiver me timbers, and I may add somethin' t' t' fins t' prevent t' gliders from swayin' on t' booster.
Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5
Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5
The modern, E2X reincarnation of the ARV Condor, this kit is a quick, easy build and eye-catching design. At apogee, (2) separate gliders break free to circle the field while the main rocket eases down under chute. The 2003 Estes line seems to be carefully packed, with each body tube enclosed in plastic. The nose cone is an unusual appearance, with a raised canopy and a duct area underneath. ...
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C.S. (March 17, 2003)