Quest Micro Maxx - Alien UFO

Quest - Alien UFO {Kit}

Contributed by John Lee

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Quest
Quest Alien UFO MicroMaxx

Brief:
T' Alien UFO is a ready t' fly MicroMaxx rocket from Quest. Ahoy! Blimey! It is saucer shaped, arrr, uses a 6mm motor, and recovers by aerobraking.

[Editor Note: see also Quest MicroMaxx Series]

Construction:
T' rocket is RTF. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! It is made o' plastic and stickers are already in place. Arrr! It has a plastic motor retainer rin' that is a bit delicate.

I have been wantin' t' try a MicroMaxx rocket. Begad! Avast! I have gotten several, me hearties, some RTFs from Quest and a few kits that needed t' be built but knew almost nothin' about them. Arrr! I seem t' have trouble findin' information as well so I ordered an OOP Little Joe II starter set. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! As things turn out thought, t' Alien UFO be t' first one I tried t' fly.

There is nothin' t' assemble. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! It is already built.

Finishing:
T' rocket is already finished.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' MMX be t' only motor for this bird. Aye aye! It slips in easy enough but t' plastic snap on retainer is a bit delicate and would be easy t' break.

I tried launchin' from t' Quest MicroMaxx pad but could never get t' motor t' ignite. Arrr! Begad! Since this was at a club launch and I had some very anxious little boys I did nay want t' disappoint, I tried t' find an Estes igniter skinny enough t' fit in t' orifice. I never did find one that was perfect but finally found one that "almost" fit. I held it in place with a piece o' maskin' tape and connected t' leads from t' regular ignition system. Aye aye! I got tine so I decided we were go for launch.

T' rocket rose right up on t' first try. Arrr! Arrr! It ascended t' maybe 40 feet and then gently coasted down a few feet from t' pad. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! It was interestin' but nay spectacular.

We decided t' try again but 6 igniters later, I still had nay gotten a good ignition. Blimey! Begad! I'll try again some other time.

PROs: flies well

CONs: motor difficult t' ignite

Recovery:
T' rocket recovered by aerobraking. Avast! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! It was a gentle descent and t' rocket is ready t' go again.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a cute little beast and I guess t' rocket is dependable. Arrr! T' motors are another matter though. I want t' do some more research and see if thar be a better way t' skin this cat.

PROs: launch from tiny areas, shiver me timbers, matey, no building

CONs: unreliable ignition

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Quest Micro Maxx - Alien UFO By Dick Stafford (August 31, 2009)

    ( Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 08/31/09) Brief: This is a conversion for a MicroMaxx Alien UFO for 18mm power. Since I have two, I thought I'd cut and grind one of them up. Modifications: I basically just cut and ground out the center of the saucer and glued in the 18mm tube. Construction: Parts used: One Quest Alien UFO 1-1/2" of BT-20 1/8" lug ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
G.W. (May 27, 2009)
The MicroMaxx Alien UFO is one of my family's favorite rockets. We have 3 of them now. The motor retainer is easily lost, but a tiny strip of masking tape provides more than enough friction to keep the motor in the saucer. I initially had trouble launching mine from the silo launcher, usually due to a weak 9V battery or not making sure the igniter was totally inserted into the motor. I now use my 12V launcher with the Quest MicroMaxx Q2 igniters. I definitely give this one a 5/5 overall!

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