Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Diameter: | 2.60 inches |
Length: | 33.25 inches |
Manufacturer: | Estes ![]() |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Sport |
Brief:
Larger, me bucko, arrr, cooler version o' an Estes classic. Avast, me proud beauty! This thin' ROCKS!! I got it for Christmas. Begad! Ya scallywag! I saw it at Ace on December 14,2003 and I can't believe this rocket was still there. It's been OOP for about 3 years. Avast, me proud beauty! It was a re-release o' t' original 1979 version.
Construction:
T' kit has:
This is a pretty easy kit, well deservin' o' a Skill Level 2. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' challengin' part o' this kit is slidin' t' motor mount/fins into t' large rin' that holds t' body tube.
I decided t' go with t' regular shock cord mountin' method. Aye aye! I had concerns about t' way Estes tells you t' attach t' shock cord (tyin' it t' t' engine ring) rippin' out, arrr, so I just made a 3-fold shock cord mount out o' paper.
This be t' second time in one day that thar was a knot in t' parachute. Well, blow me down! I was buildin' an OOP AMRAAM missile and it had a knot in it's chute. Well, blow me down! I got this knot out. It was finished in about 2 hours.
Finishing:
T' rocket looks real good when finished. However, thar be a lot o' advertising. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' large decal halves were difficult t' apply without any little folds gettin' in t' way. I had t' paint t' nose cone, even though t' face card says "No Paintin' Required."
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
I flew it once on a D12-3. Begad! This be t' only engine Estes recommends. It ROARED OFF THE PAD!! Went out o' sight. Begad! For such a heavy rocket, it sure drifts a lot. Begad! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It went over t' houses and landed in a very low branch. Avast! Needed a small ladder t' recover. Aye aye! I won't fly it much because it's a waddin' guzzler. Begad! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! It needs about 10-12 squares o' wadding. Ahoy! It is a good number, me hearties, but it almost finished off me Blastoff Flight Pack's wadding.
T' flight was very stable and high. Begad! It hit about 550 feet. This rocket drifts waaaayyyy too much. Aye aye! It's a heavy rocket and it uses a 24 inch chute.
Recovery:
T' parachute was good. Blimey! Lots o' drifting. Avast! There be no damage because it landed in a tree. Aye aye! Low branch. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Thank goodness! No assembly o' t' parachute needed. Everythin' went well.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This is an excellent rocket that flies well and is a great looker. Avast! Well, blow me down! Blimey! It's fun t' assemble and fun t' fly. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! All in all, An EXCELLENT rocket! Blimey! Estes needs t' brin' this rocket back. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! If I could, I'd rate this rocket a 100!!
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
The Estes Alpha, designed by Bill Simon and introduced in 1967, is the prototypical 3FNC that has introduced generations of rocketeers to the hobby. The original Alpha, of course, had a balsa nose cone and fins. The Alpha III (1971) was an easier-to-build plastic version with a one-piece molded fin can assembly. Estes has released several larger versions of the Alpha ...
The Maxi Alpha 3 is one of Estes year 2000 re-released limited edition rockets. It is rated Skill Level 2 with a 24mm motor mount. I have seen the price on this kit vary from $15 to $35. It is large version of the Estes classic Alpha kit. Like junior, it is a rather simple build. Stock build utilizes, BT-80 tubes, a 24 inch parachute, little paint (nose only), and pressure-sensitive decals. ...
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