Quest StarHawk

Quest - Starhawk {Kit}

Contributed by E. Kociba

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Published: 2012-04-16
Manufacturer: Quest

Brief

This is an easy-to-build rocket intended for groups. Avast!  I'm comparin' it t' an Estes Generic E2x in this review.    

Components

T' name o' t' game is "simple-to-fly" with this rocket. Well, blow me down!  Plastic fins, arrr, me bucko, a launch lug that is already molded into t' fin can, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and a simple streamer recovery make this t' most foolproof rocket I'll ever assemble. 

Here you should be able t' see t' fin can with t' built in launch lug evident:

 

Here's t' exploded view prior t' construction. Begad! Blimey! It has t' Keelhaul®©™ shock cord typical t' Quest rockets, me hearties, a motor mount (pre-cut for t' engine hook!) and a simple sticker. Begad! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty!  T' streamer comes with a plastic eyelet. Well, blow me down! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty!  

 

To give you an idea o' t' sizing, ya bilge rat, here is a Starhawk next t' an Estes Generic E2x. Avast! Arrr!  Notice that t' E2x employs a wider body tube, arrr, and comes with a launch lug that is glued t' t' rocket separately. Begad! Well, blow me down!  

T' E2x comes with a parachute and takes a little longer t' assemble. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey!  Mind you, me hearties, matey, we still aren't talkin' hours, shiver me timbers, we're talkin' minutes.  

Construction

This is meant t' be a very easy rocket t' assemble.  In fact, me bucko, me bucko, they made it even easier than it used t' be, and it be simple then. Aye aye! You jiterally just tie t' shock cord t' an engine ring, glue that in, me bucko, matey, mount an engine hook onto t' engine mount, me hearties, matey, mount that into t' body tube, ya bilge rat, then slip t' fins over it. Begad!  Finally, matey, thread t' shock cord through t' body tube, then through t' eyelet for t' streamer, and tie it t' t' nosecone. Arrr!  In earlier kits you were supposed t' carve a groove into one o' t' cardboard pieces with an Xacto knife, but that step is now gone with this model. Well, blow me down!  

T' launch lug and fins are plastic, arrr, and, ya bilge rat, arrr, therefore, foolproof which is good if you are relyin' on cub scouts or other young kids t' build t' rockets you are launching.  

T' only difficulty I had be t' step where you thread t' shock cord through t' rocket (from t' bottom t' t' top) after gluin' in t' engine mount.  T' body tube is too narrow t' easily do this, shiver me timbers, especially if thar's still wet glue in thar from t' previous step.  I recommend makin' a long, but thin hook, out o' a coat hanger so you can pull t' cord through t' tube. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty!  

Finishing

T' finish can look a little cheap at times - it looks like a 5 dollar rocket - which it is. Avast, matey, me proud beauty!  There's a picture here o' t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! You can see t' moldin' be done somewhat quick and dirty. Aye aye!  Mind you, I can find similar lines on t' Estes E2x.

After you affix t' sticker, matey, I doubt you'll be overwhelmed by its beauty. Begad!  Heck, arrr, t' nose cone and t' fin can colors don't even match!

 

I'm nay complaining, me bucko, ya bilge rat, mind you.  I took this as more evidence that this rocket is designed for one purpose:  Inexpensive, ya bilge rat, easy construction for large groups. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!  

Construction Score: 4

Flight

I flew t' StarHawk on an A8-3 and then on a C6-5. Ya scallywag!  I am told that t' C6-5 is nay on t' engine list and . Well, blow me down! . Avast! . Blimey! Avast! temptation won out. Arrr! Ya scallywag!  

T' A8-3 is perfect for those group launches in small fields.  It climbs nicely and still feels like it's fast, ya bilge rat, doesn't get so high that you'd lose it.  With t' streamer, this thin' fell fast. Arrr! Aye aye!  I got it t' land within yards o' t' launch pad . . Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! . Aye aye! in light wind, shiver me timbers, anyway.   

T' C6-5 is perfect for when you want t' see a rocket climb, and climb, matey, and climb. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey!  It will leave fast, shiver me timbers, carry t' wind, me bucko, and you MIGHT see it again. Avast! Blimey!  

Recovery

This rocket falls fast, which is what I am lookin' for with a group launch. Ahoy!  Kids are really disappointed when their rockets don't come back within t' treeline.  I doubt t' streamer is makin' it any slower. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr!    

Flight Rating: 4

Summary

Overall Rating: 4
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Flights

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