Quest Aurora

Quest - Aurora {Kit} (3002) [1992-]

Contributed by Larry Zeilmann

Manufacturer: Quest
Style: Glider
Rating
(Contributed - by Larry Zeilmann)

Rocket PicBrief:
This is a Booster glider Level 3 construction. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' booster returns by parachute.

Construction:
Booster: 12" BT50 tube with a 4-fin plastic fin case (1 fin is removed durin' construction) and plastic nose cone. Arrr! Two cardboard centerin' rings are used on t' 18mm engine tube. Ya scallywag! One metal engine hook is used for engine retention. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Combination 12" Keelhaul®©™® and 18" elastic shock cord is attached t' nose cone and engine mount. Begad! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! 12" plastic 'chute is attached to nose cone o' booster. Arrr! Blimey! Adhesive decals. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! Two 1/8" paper launch lugs. Glider: 6" BT5 tube, matey, plastic nose cone, ya bilge rat, 3/32 balsa win' construction. Adhesive decals. Aye aye! Blimey! 1/8" dowel t' attach glider t' booster.

Easy, matey, me hearties, well illustrated construction. Ahoy! Removal o' one fin on fin canister requires a sharp cutlass and care. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' booster's parachute be t' usual cheap plastic chute. T' plastic "Grippers" used t' attach shroud lines make t' 'chute difficult t' fold and store in boosters body. Avast! Begad! Engine hook is very thin and too malleable. Arrr! Arrr! Glider can be better balanced with modelin' clay and requires moderate effort in gettin' wing, me bucko, rudder and ailerons at proper angle. Avast! Good construction illustrations and recommendations are provided to accomplish this task.

Finishing:
To finish like illustrated on package tapin' is required. Aye aye! Three colors are required, Base white, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, Nose cone Tan, me hearties, and Glider under surface Gloss Black. Nothin' is mentioned, shiver me timbers, but consideration should be given t' avoid paintin' two surfaces. Avast, me proud beauty! T' surface that t' glider slides along on t' boosters rack and the 1/8" dowel that holds t' glider on t' t' booster. Blimey! Arrr! Paintin' either of these might restrict t' ease at which t' glider will slide off at apogee. Decals are cut-out, adhesive type which don't always adhere t' t' complex rounded surfaces. Clear coat helps with permanent attachment o' decals. Well, blow me down! Very nice lookin' rocket when finished.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
Estimated Max Altitude 500 Feet Motors: B6-4 (First Flight) C6-5 Requires waddin' t' protect Boosters chute. I flew t' first flight on a C6-5 in moderate winds. T' boost was straight and true. Aye aye! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Glider did nay separate at apogee and be recovered with t' boosters chute. Ahoy! Blimey! I believe this supports my construction tip on nay paintin' t' surfaces that connect t' booster t' the glider. Arrr! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I have since corrected this issue, ya bilge rat, but yet t' test it again.

Recovery:
Flight recovery is a proven good quest design. Begad! Arrr! 'Chute is well sized for boosters weight. Well, blow me down! Begad! Minimal drift. Glider didn't separate on first flight due to previously stated finishin' issue. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Rocket recovery was a bit fast with no damage on boosters chute with added weight o' glider still attached. Blimey!

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
This is an easily constructed rocket for calm or moderate winds.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flights

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