Estes Honest John

Estes - Honest John {Kit} (1104) [1972-1973]

Contributed by Casey Smith

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes

Estes Honest John Brief:
This be t' classic Estes Honest John. Ahoy! This be t' middle kit, betwixt t' Little John, and t' Maxi Honest John. Avast, me proud beauty! This kit is standard with an 18mm motor mount, but I put a 24 mm in mine. Begad! Ya scallywag! It uses parachute recovery, ya bilge rat, matey, but I use a streamer for AT engines.

Construction:
This rocket comes with t' standard BT-55 and t' BT-20 motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! It has an engine block and a clip for retention, as well a rubber band shock cord and a 12 inch chute. Arrr! It also has 2 centerin' rings made from cardboard. Ahoy! Arrr! There are 4 fins, arrr, and 2 standoffs for t' launch lugs. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! This be t' plastic nose cone model, me bucko, t' original came with balsa.

This kit is extremely easy t' build. Arrr! Ahoy! It would be great for a re-release. T' fins are balsa that need t' be sanded and filled, shiver me timbers, but other than that it is straight forward. I did throw out t' rubber band shock cord and used regular elastic nylon. T' instructions are very easy t' follow.

Finishing:
I painted mine t' standard olive drab on t' package. Arrr! T' water slide decals deserve a coat o' clear t' protect them when you are done. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! It looks great since it is an OOP kit and you don't see them all t' time, just their big brothers now.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I used C6-7's on mine when I was a kid and they always went great. Aye aye! Blimey! I use D12-5's now that t' D12-7's are gone. Well, blow me down! If it is a real calm day, I put E30's in mine. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I use a streamer for those, as they tend t' be out o' sight flights. Blimey! Aye aye! This kit goes straight up, ya bilge rat, no problems at all, me bucko, always flies great.

Recovery:
T' provided 12 inch chute works great, but you may opt for a streamer for windier days since it is so light, me hearties, and goes over 1000 feet on C motors. Avast! I actually designed mine without a engine hook so I could 2 stage it, but have nay done that yet.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Excellent OOP kit that flies great.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

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