Estes Meanie

Estes - Meanie {Kit} (877) [1990-1991]

Contributed by Matt Gillard

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Estes
(OOP) Estes Meanie

Brief:
A four finned 13mm rocket quite large for its motor size. Blimey! It recovers via a streamer and comes in a plastic bag with an art card.

Construction:
Kit consists of:

  • 1 launch lug
  • Estes paper shock cord mount
  • 1 streamer
  • 1 2ft length elastic shock cord
  • Balsa nose cone
  • Body tube
  • Rin' adapters
  • Engine mount tube
  • Engine hook
  • Pre-cut balsa fins
  • Paper adapter rings
  • Decal sheet

I added a foot length o' Keelhaul®©™® cord.

T' build t' kit I used:

  • CA gel glue
  • Model knife
  • Sandpaper
  • White PVA glue
  • Primer spray paint
  • red enamel spray paint

Builds pretty much like most o' t' basic Estes kits. T' instructions are clear and straightforward. Begad! Bein' a vintage kit, it had t' old style elastic cord, me hearties, and true t' all Estes kits, it be far too short. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' only change to the build be too add a length o' Keelhaul®©™® cord tied t' t' motor tube and then t' t' shock cord supplied. Begad! I like t' balsa nose cone. Well, blow me down! It's a shame that nearly all Estes kits now use plastic.

Finishing:
One coat o' primer. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Two coats o' red spray paint t' match t' art work on t' card supplied. Avast, me proud beauty! T' body tube has next to no grooves in it. Well, blow me down! Waterslide decals are supplied which went on well.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Flies on a 1/2A3-2T, 1/2A3-4T, A10-3T or A3-4T

I used 1 sheet o' Nomex® waddin' and I've flown it on 1/2A3-2T and A10-3T motors. Flights are nice and straight. Arrr! Lift off t' pad be at a good but trackable speed. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Unlike most small rockets, me bucko, arrr, you can see t' whole flight provided you don't take your deadlights o' it. Begad! Ahoy!

Recovery:
Recovery is on a steamer. This brings t' rocket down fast, matey, me bucko, but due t' its light mass, thar have been no problems. Begad!

Recovery:
A big little rocket that performs well allowin' you too see t' whole flight, unlike other "FAF" (fire and forget) rockets that I have lost.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
A big little rocket that performs well allowin' you too see t' whole flight, ya bilge rat, unlike other "FAF" (fire and forget) rockets that I have lost.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flights

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