Estes Shuttle Xpress

Estes - Shuttle Xpress {Kit} (2183) [2003-2010]

Contributed by Douglas Gardei

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

FinishedBrief:
Two Parasite Gliders lofted by an easy t' build rocket.

 

Parts

Construction:
T' rocket parts include two body tubes, plastic fincan halves, arrr, fins, me hearties, launch lug and nosecone. T' recovery system consists o' a pre-made plastic parachute, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and an elastic shock cord. T' gliders are made from foam parts, each with a plastic launch hook and a set o' decals. T' foam wings have two adhesive strips on them that are use in t' assembly o' t' gliders.

Assembly is quick and easy. T' two motor mount halves are glued together. Arrr! Well, blow me down! Then followin' t' header card picture, me bucko, t' fins and launch lug are glued onto t' fincan, me bucko, and t' lower body tube is glued into place. Ya scallywag! After t' glue sets, t' tube coupler is glued onto t' top o' t' lower body tube. Avast! It is important t' align t' launch lug on t' tube coupler with t' lug on t' fincan. Then t' upper body tube is glued on t' top o' t' tube coupler. Blimey! T' shock cord is attached t' t' rocket usin' t' standard glue-and-fold paper method. T' parachute is pre-made, but put a dab o' glue on each nay t' prevent them from becomin' undone.

T' Gliders are made o' foam. Ya scallywag! T' launch hooks o' t' gliders are glued into t' t' foam bodies with white glue. Well, blow me down! Begad! Then t' fuselage decals are applied, care has t' be given, shiver me timbers, matey, since t' decals can only be applied once. Begad! Ahoy! Usin' a knife, t' slots for t' vertical stabilizer are cut into t' decal. T' stabilizer is then glued onto t' body. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! T' decals for t' wings are applied, and then folded t' give t' win' t' right angle. Ahoy! Arrr! Do nay fold them t' much (the instructions recommendation is t' much) because t' wings will crack. Arrr! Once t' desired angle is achieved, me bucko, t' backin' on t' adhesive is removed. Avast! Arrr! 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. T' only problem I see be t' gliders loosely hang from t' side o' t' rocket. Avast! This may cause premature deployment o' t' gliders. Well, blow me down! They should have some support on t' boosters fins so t' gliders wings have somethin' t' rest upon.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

LaunchFlight:
Because o' t' snow, me hearties, I did nay have t' opportunity t' properly trim t' gliders. Aye aye! I knew that they we too nose heavy, and no amount o' adjustin' t' elevators was goin' t' fix that. Avast! Avast! T' glider needed some clay t' add t' t' tail. Ya scallywag! On t' first o' March, me hearties, arrr, ya bilge rat, I got t' opportunity t' fly t' rocket. Begad! I went over t' Phillip Exeter Academy in Exeter, arrr, NH t' witness their Team America Challenge flights. Arrr! Besides their two challenge flights, shiver me timbers, we also flew some regular rockets. I loaded me Shuttle with a B6-4. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! There was t' problems o' t' gliders blowin' around on t' booster while t' rocket sat on t' launch pad. Begad! Once I adjusted t' rocket so t' gliders would nay sway, matey, t' countdown commenced and t' rocket shot off with a B6-4. Aye aye! Begad! Very nice flight, but as predicted, shiver me timbers, t' gliders nose dived into t' snow. When warmer weather comes, I plan t' properly trim t' gliders usin' clay, 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

Other Reviews
  • Estes Shuttle Xpress By Chan Stevens

    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. ...

Flights

Comments:

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C.S. (March 17, 2003)
I flew this weekend in perfect conditions (70 degrees, hardly a trace of wind) and agree that the gliders are nose heavy, beyond simple aileron adjustment. I bent the ailerons as far as they'd go, but the "memory" of the Styrofoam worked 'em back, and both gliders went through steep descents/dives.
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J.R. (July 2, 2003)
I think it looks like the Code Red/Ionizer/Tidal Wave with a spiffed up NC and 2 gliders.
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D.L. (June 6, 2004)
I flolded the flaps up vertical, and held them in place with pins. Then glued them up using Weldbond brand white glue. I flew it on 6-5-04 with a C6-5, and the gliders did wonderful. They circled the launch site like a couple of hawks hunting their prey. The only other mod I plan to do now, is paint the bottom of the gliders black so they will be easier to see.
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D.L.S.M. (June 27, 2004)
The reviews are great, except when discussing glider trimming. The gliders are, indeed, quite nose-heavy and require a substantial amount of tail-weight for a stable glide. Aileron adjustment is all that is mentioned in the kit's instructions, but that isn't anywhere near sufficient.

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