Quest HL-20 Lifting Body

Quest - HL-20 {Kit} (2008) [1994-2010]

Contributed by Eric Miller

Construction Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstar_borderstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Quest
Style: Futuristic/Exotic, Glider

Prepping the RocketBrief:
This rocket was a bargain. Well, blow me down! My wife got it for me on he clearance rack for $.99. Aye aye! I be disappointed, shiver me timbers, at first, me bucko, shiver me timbers, since t' entire rocket is made o' painted construction paper except for t' nose cone and engine mount.

Construction:
This kit included a paper shroud body, me bucko, plastic nose cone and cockpit. Blimey! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Fins are paper also. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! There is a streamer include in kit and it is used t' recover t' ejectin' engine.

Quest has good detailed instructions. This kit was a snap t' put together. Just assemble t' engine mount, me bucko, glue on t' nose cone and wrap t' pre-painted body shroud around it. Well, me bucko, blow me down! I used wood glue for all t' paper parts, me bucko, that way I didn't have t' waste a lot o' time tryin' t' hold t' shroud together. Blimey! I did experience some confusion on how t' mount t' streamer retainer. Well, blow me down! In t' end I glued t' piece o' paper I cut out t' t' back end o' t' streamer retention tube. Avast, me proud beauty! I figured that way t' ejection charge would blow t' spent engine out and carry t' streamer out t' aft (bottom) o' t' streamer retention tube. Avast, me proud beauty! BTW t' engine is attached t' t' streamer by maskin' tape...it worked.

Finishing:
There is really nay much t' say about finishin' it is a pre-printed shroud that is supposed t' look futuristic. Blimey! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! You can paint t' cockpit whatever color you like. Begad! Blimey! I painted mine black.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Take OffFlight:
I used an A8-3 for t' only flight. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! This be t' interestin' part and any comments would be welcome. Begad! I fired t' rocket and it did a couple loop-de-loops and ejected t' charge and fell t' t' earth. Aye aye! Nay stable. Aye aye! Perhaps a bigger engine. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' rocket was supposed t' go up fire out t' engine with t' streamer attached so it wouldn't bonk anyone in t' head and then glide back t' t' ground. Ahoy! Probably need t' experiment with this one more.

Flight Rating: 1 out o' 5

Summary:
This turned out t' be a cute little rocket. Ahoy! I nice flight would have really enhanced t' $.99 deal. Aye aye! But as it was I felt like nothin' gained nothin' ventured.

Overall Rating: 2 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Quest HL-20 Lifting Body By Dave Sutter

    The Quest X-30 Aerospace plane caught my eye, and it was on sale at Magnum for $4. 50, but I was a little wary of the paper shroud construction.   Well, the Quest HL-20 uses paper shroud construction, too, and it was also on sale, for $2. 50, and it's supposed to be easier. I figured I'd try the HL-20 as an introduction to paper shroud construction. (I got two of each just in case. ) ...

  • Quest HL-20 Lifting Body By Chris Taylor Jr.

    Packaging and quality average; not spectacular but not bad either. I would have to say 4 out of 5 though because the Aeroshroud looks really nice and saves a lot of finish work. The package came as a bag with cardboard picture. The aeroshroud, tube, nose cone, and centering rings were inside with the directions. The directions were thorough and easy to follow (well written). The only part in ...

  • Quest HL-20 Lifting Body By Alan Rognlie

    I had a Centuri MF-24 Bug years ago and the Quest HL-20 reminded me a lot of that kit.   This lifting-body boost glider is based on Aeroshroud technology. Translated, that's a printed paper wrapper. ;-) It looks to me like this model was strongly "inspired" by the old Centuri MF-24 Bug - with some "improvements". The only significant(?) differences I see between the two are:  ...

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