Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | Thrustline Aerospace |
Brief:
Seeker is a single stage low power rocket rated level 2/3 for construction.
Construction:
T' parts list:
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, however this is standard for Thrustline kits. Avast! Alignin' all eight fins is nay that difficult if care is used. Begad! Avast! T' Keelhaul®©™ shock cord is mounted around t' motor mount for extra durability. Begad! Ya scallywag! Cut t' launch lug in two angled pieces and attach.
Finishing:
T' nose cone and fins are balsa and require usual preparation for finishing. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I typically use Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish for this purpose. Blimey! Ahoy! For additional strength, t' directions suggest coatin' t' fins with a layer o' thinned white glue, yellow glue, me bucko, me bucko, or CA. Blimey! If you try this, me hearties, coat both sides at once t' avoid warpage. Well, blow me down! No finishin' scheme is suggested, so you're free t' use whatever you like. Well, blow me down! Begad! I primed it several times, shiver me timbers, sandin' betwixt coats and used a two color orange t' black fade. I applied a couple coats o' clear coat over this for t' desired shine. Arrr! No decals are provided with this kit.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
Preparation is typical for this type o' rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! An A8-5 is recommended for t' first flight but I think an A8-3 is meant. Pack with waddin' and let 'er rip. Avast! Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' flight profile is excellent for this rocket. Aye aye! Be sure and align upper and lower fins before launching. Begad! 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. Ya scallywag! Avast! Blimey! T' elastic shock cord is tied t' a loop at t' end o' t' Keelhaul®©™. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey! A mylar parachute is included with t' kit but I substituted a Thrustline rip stop nylon chute for it. Avast, me proud beauty! T' five second delay seems perfect for t' B and C engines.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
As usual with Thrustline, arrr, matey, this is a well conceived rocket with a great design and wonderful flight characteristics. Well, blow me down! Once you finish it, you really feel like you've built rather than assembled something. Avast, me proud beauty! Your reward is in t' look and flight o' t' rocket.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
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