Estes Photon Probe

Estes - Photon Probe {Kit} (2043) [1991-1993]

Contributed by Jon Revelle

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Estes

Brief:
Single Stage, 18mm fantasy rocket from Estes. Blimey! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! It didn't live long (1991-1992) so I was lucky t' find one. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I found it at Ace in September, shiver me timbers, 2004 and was shocked t' see that it was there.

Construction:
T' Photon Probe is a skill level 2 build and came in a cheap plastic bag, which had a slightly dented body tube, along with a sheet o' balsa, matey, launch lug, nose cone (clonin' is hard because you cannot find this part), ya bilge rat, 18mm engine hook, me hearties, shiver me timbers, 18" parachute kit, shock cord, me hearties, me hearties, decals, and balsa strips.

This kit has quite a bit o' lumber on it. Begad! Blimey! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey! You first build t' motor mount, then sand t' balsa strips t' an angle, followed by attachin' fins, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, attaching the shock cord by t' classic 3-fold paper mount, me hearties, and assemblin' t' parachute. I hate assemblin' parachutes! Blimey! I almost ruined it this time but got lucky. Last is attachin' t' nose cone and you're done. Take your time on assemblin' the fins. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I managed t' build mine in under 1 1/2 hours with Testor's wood cement, hobby knife, shiver me timbers, scissors, ya bilge rat, and Elmer's glue.

Pros: Pretty easy t' assemble. Why a skill level 2?

Cons: Dang parachute assembly! Otherwise none.

Finishing:
Finishin' is by paintin' t' entire rocket white, and paintin' t' middle of the body tube a hot pink. Blimey! Blimey! Then apply t' water-slide decals and clear coat it. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
For its first flight, arrr, arrr, I used a B4-4. Ya scallywag! Retention is with t' old metal hook. Blimey! It needs about 6 squares o' wadding.

It flew just as I predicted: quick, matey, high, me bucko, and arrow straight. Avast, me proud beauty! T' Photon Probe just zips on a B4. Ahoy! I'm even afraid t' fly it on a B6 with how high it went.

Recovery:
Pros: Nice and easy. Blimey! Arrr! No damage after t' flight.

Cons: None

It came down neither too fast nor too slow. Begad! No damage upon recovery. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a very good rocket that should o' been made at least for a few more years. Estes, give your rockets a chance before you kill them off!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flights

ID
Date
Flyer
Rocket
Kit
Motors
Altitude
Action
74622
2021-04-03 photo
Hans "Chris" Michielssen
Estes Photon Probe
Estes - Photon Probe {Kit} (2043) [1991-1993]
Estes B6-4
300 Feet
list
73275
2019-07-31 photo
Matthew Bond
Estes Photon Probe
Estes - Photon Probe {Kit} (2043) [1991-1993]
C6-5
-
list
72949
2019-02-02 photo
Matthew Bond
Estes Photon Probe
Estes - Photon Probe {Kit} (2043) [1991-1993]
D16-4
-
list
72204
2018-02-03 photo
Matthew Bond
Estes Photon Probe
Estes - Photon Probe {Kit} (2043) [1991-1993]
C6-5
-
list
70110
2016-04-30
D11Rok
Photon Probe
Estes - Photon Probe {Kit} (2043) [1991-1993]
B4-4
-
list
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of
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