Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Diameter: | 0.98 inches |
Length: | 15.25 inches |
Manufacturer: | Custom Rockets |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Multi-Stage |
Brief:
This is a basic 3FNC two-stage rocket with direct staging. Aye aye! Aye aye! Blimey! T' fins on t' booster and sustainer are identical, ya bilge rat, me bucko, givin' it a look that is just a bit different from other two-stage rockets.
Construction:
T' parts list:
Construction o' this rocket is so simple that it could probably proceed without instructions. However, me bucko, it is good t' have t' instructions t' make sure that t' centerin' rings are placed properly t' leave room for t' stage coupler.
Assembly be greatly accelerated by t' use o' an Estes fin alignment jig.
Finishing:
I chose t' paint it just like it is in t' ads, with a white body and red fins and nose cone. Ya scallywag! This was straightforward.
A note about t' decals. I don't know whether mine were old or if they just took a long time t' loosen from t' paper. Begad! T' first one I let soak for a couple o' minutes, shiver me timbers, then took out and straightened out. Avast, me proud beauty! T' decal cracked into a bunch o' tiny slivers. T' other two decals I let soak for a longtime--about 10-15 minutes--before tryin' t' move them. They worked fine after t' long, long soak.
In order t' apply t' wraparound decal t' t' forward edge o' t' upper body you do have t' trim off t' upper clear part o' t' decal.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
I launched it three times in one day with three terrific flights and no significant damage. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! This is a light rocket. Blimey! On a C6-0 booster it is already goin' high and fast before it stages, then it is out o' sight.
Recovery:
T' elastic shock cord did give me one prang t' t' front end o' t' body tube. Aye aye! Begad! It was easily bent back out, but t' decal be damaged.
T' streamer is a good length, shiver me timbers, and t' recoveries were at a good descent rate, me hearties, and highly visible due t' t' hot pink color.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a great basic direct-stagin' two-stage rocket. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I bought two--one for me and one for me daughter for her NARTREK Apollo level. Begad! We built them side by side. Aye aye! Ahoy! It is perfect for a first multistage rocket.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
( Contributed - by Ted Phipps - 04/10/02) The Aztec is a 2-stage rocket that recovers on a streamer. Custom lists it as skill level 2, requiring "some modeling experience". The lines are simple and clean, making for a very good looking rocket. Components The kit comes in a plastic bag. Before opening it up, I inspected the contents inside, and everything looked fine except ...
M.C.F. (April 19, 2002)