Estes StrikeFighter

Estes - StrikeFighter {Kit}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes

Brief:
I built this kit in t' late 1980's. This model really looks cool and, arrr, despite t' number o' parts, arrr, was nay terribly difficult t' put together. Ahoy! It is a futuristic space fighter reminiscent o' somethin' from Star Wars or maybe Battlestar Galactica.

Old Instructions Graphic

Rocket PicConstruction:
T' Strikefighter sports a unique nosecone that gives t' appearance o' a ramjet engine. T' body tube is BT-55 and t' fins are die-cut balsa. Begad! There are two main fins set 180 degrees from one another. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! On t' tip o' each win' is a complex nacelle. I say they are complex only because o' t' number o' parts that went into them. Avast! They have a section o' BT-5 centered in a BT-50 outer tube by six balsa vanes. Blimey! T' BT-5 tubes have simulated weapons mounted in t' front. These were built-up from a small dowel, me hearties, matey, a section o' launch lug, and numerous cardboard components. Three stabilizers are mounted on each nacelle, shiver me timbers, one as an extension o' t' main win' and two at an angle slightly greater than +/-45 degrees.

Finishing:
T' model is painted solid white, arrr, me hearties, except for t' laser cannons that are silver. Aye aye! Blimey! Trim includes a simulated scoop mounted near t' rear, shiver me timbers, me hearties, a clear cockpit, ya bilge rat, cardboard fairings mounted over t' structural fin fillets, and a whole bunch o' decals. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! A decal was even provided for t' tip o' t' nosecone t' look like turbine blades.

Construction Rating: 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines include t' B4-4, arrr, B6-4, me bucko, matey, and C6-3. Well, blow me down! Since I built this as a display model for me son, matey, it only flew once on a B6-4.

Recovery:
T' recovery system included a rubber shock cord and a plastic chute. There be plenty o' room t' pack these in t' BT-55 body tube. Aye aye! T' flight was successful except for a few scrapes where t' nosecone evidently rebounded into t' body tube. Aye aye! If and when I fly it again I will replace t' rubber shock cord with light Keelhaul®©™ line.

Flight Rating: 4

Summary:
This be a really great lookin' kit that was relatively easy t' build. Avast! If you can glue a fin on straight then you could build this one.

Overall Rating: 4

Flights

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