Thrustline Aerospace Seeker

Thrustline Aerospace - Seeker {Kit}

Contributed by Bryan Penfold

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Thrustline Aerospace

Thrustline Aerospace Seeker

Brief:
Seeker is a single stage low power rocket rated level 2/3 for construction.

Construction:
T' parts list:

  • 1 Large Body Tube
  • 1 Small Body Tube
  • 1 Steel Eyelet
  • 1 Engine Tube
  • 1 Engine Hook
  • 2 Centerin' Rings
  • 1 Engine Block Ring
  • 1 Screw for Nose Cone Weight
  • 1 Launch Lug
  • 1 Nose Cone
  • 1 Body Tube Transition
  • 1 Mylar Parachute Kit
  • 1 Keelhaul®©™ Shock Cord and Flat Shock Cord Kit
  • 1 Balsa Fin Stock Sheet

T' instructions were great and easy t' follow with helpful tips and photos included. Begad! Blimey! Assembly is fairly typical for an Estes type rocket except t' fins are nay precut, shiver me timbers, however this is standard for Thrustline kits. Ahoy! Blimey! Alignin' all eight fins is nay that difficult if care is used. Begad! Blimey! T' Keelhaul®©™ shock cord is mounted around t' motor mount for extra durability. Cut t' launch lug in two angled pieces and attach.

Finishing:
T' nose cone and fins are balsa and require usual preparation for finishing. Blimey! Blimey! I typically use Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish for this purpose. Arrr! Blimey! For additional strength, shiver me timbers, t' directions suggest coatin' t' fins with a layer o' thinned white glue, yellow glue, me hearties, or CA. Arrr! Blimey! If you try this, me hearties, coat both sides at once t' avoid warpage. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! No finishin' scheme is suggested, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, so you're free t' use whatever you like. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I primed it several times, sandin' betwixt coats and used a two color orange t' black fade. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I applied a couple coats o' clear coat over this for t' desired shine. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! No decals are provided with this kit.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Preparation is typical for this type o' rocket. Avast! An A8-5 is recommended for t' first flight but I think an A8-3 is meant. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Pack with waddin' and let 'er rip. Blimey! T' flight profile is excellent for this rocket. Be sure and align upper and lower fins before launching. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! T' Seeker really leaps from t' pad and flies very straight. A 'B' engine will take it t' about 500 feet and a 'C' engine t' about 1000 feet.

Recovery:
T' Keelhaul®©™ shock cord is attached at t' motor mount. Well, blow me down! T' elastic shock cord is tied t' a loop at t' end o' t' Keelhaul®©™. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! A mylar parachute is included with t' kit but I substituted a Thrustline rip stop nylon chute for it. T' five second delay seems perfect for t' B and C engines.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
As usual with Thrustline, shiver me timbers, this is a well conceived rocket with a great design and wonderful flight characteristics. Well, blow me down! Well, matey, blow me down! Once you finish it, arrr, you really feel like you've built rather than assembled something. Aye aye! Arrr! Your reward is in t' look and flight o' t' rocket.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flights

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