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. Avast! Well, matey, blow me down! This be t' middle kit, betwixt t' Little John, and t' Maxi Honest John. This kit is standard with an 18mm motor mount, but I put a 24 mm in mine. It uses parachute recovery, but I use a streamer for AT engines.

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

This kit is extremely easy t' build. It would be great for a re-release. Arrr! Avast! Blimey! T' fins are balsa that need t' be sanded and filled, but other than that it is straight forward. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! 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. Begad! T' water slide decals deserve a coat o' clear t' protect them when you are done. It looks great since it is an OOP kit and you don't see them all t' time, shiver me timbers, 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. Ya scallywag! I use D12-5's now that t' D12-7's are gone. Ya scallywag! If it is a real calm day, ya bilge rat, matey, I put E30's in mine. Begad! I use a streamer for those, as they tend t' be out o' sight flights. Avast, me proud beauty! This kit goes straight up, no problems at all, 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, ya bilge rat, and goes over 1000 feet on C motors. Begad! 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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