Aardvark Rockets American Dream (18mm)

Aardvark Rockets - American Dream (18mm) {Kit}

Contributed by Clive Davis

Manufacturer: Aardvark Rockets
Rating
American Dream (Contributed - by Clive Davis)

Brief:
A smaller version o' Aardvark's 7.6" sci-fi inspired sport rocket. Standard 3 fins with streamer recovery. Aardvark describes t' rocket as "Mini Fantasy".

Construction:
Kit comes with supplied centerin' rings, matey, engine block, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, body tube, ya bilge rat, motor mount tube, ya bilge rat, Keelhaul®©™® cord, elastic, mylar for streamer, shiver me timbers, pre-cut basswood fins, matey, arrr, a custom nose cone, small eye screw, shiver me timbers, launch lug, me hearties, & decal set.

Buildin' instructions are easy t' follow with buildin' tips, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, ample illustrations, matey, and a nice quality control check list t' make sure all t' parts are present before building.

This kit comes without any engine hook. Ahoy! I usually include engine hooks in all o' me kits, me bucko, me bucko, but I decided t' follow t' instructions by t' letter for construction. Well, blow me down! T' basswood fins were beautiful and sanded well. I placed the fins usin' CA glue. I primed them with Zar's Woodpatch and paint primer. The Keelhaul®©™® is attached t' t' lower centerin' rin' and fed up through t' upper centering rin' for extra protection. Begad! T' elastic is quite long, as be t' mylar streamer. As with other Aardvark rockets (see me review o' t' Aardvard 18 mm version of the AIM-C Phoenix), matey, these kits come with a heavy, solid nose cone. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! As per instructions, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, I added t' necessary washers and eye screw.

Finishing:
This is really a simple little rocket. Aye aye! I finished it with Krylon primer followed by a few coats o' orange. I then masked off t' rocket t' give it a blue ring. Blimey! I also painted t' nose cone blue. Ahoy! I decided nay t' place t' decals on t' rocket as I did nay like t' look o' a wavy American flag on t' side of this rocket.

I think t' rocket looks really smart. I like t' fin shape and I love the heavy nose cone. Blimey! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Now I be ready t' fly.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

American Dream Flight:
I flew this rocket once on a windy day (10-15 mph winds). Arrr! I used a B6-4. Preppin' is quite easy. Begad! I added waddin' (non-flammable, shiver me timbers, o' course), rolled the streamer around a pencil, then placed t' streamer inside t' body tube. There is little room for t' streamer and wadding, so care must be taken. Ya scallywag! Motor retension: scotch tape on t' motor, due t' t' fact that thar be no engine hook for t' model. Blimey! T' flight be almost perfect, matey, with a slight wobble on the ascent. I attribute this t' t' wind, but I will have t' fly it again to observe. Ya scallywag! It just about disappeared from sight on a B6, arrr, so I can't say if ejection be at or after apogee. T' long, ya bilge rat, me hearties, silver streamer makes for easy spottin' in t' air, and t' rocket returned unharmed. Aye aye! Avast! A very nice flight for a cute little rocket.

Recovery:
My only complaint about t' Aardvark rockets be t' mylar streamer is very large and takes up a lot o' room in t' body tube. Aye aye! Because o' this, it is temptin' t' be skimpy on t' waddin' t' make sure everythin' fits. Well, blow me down! Begad! My streamer after one flight showed signs o' scorching. Ahoy! I think that had I added enough wadding, ya bilge rat, me bucko, I could have prevented this.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket is a nice alternative t' t' Quest, Custom and Estes brands. Well, blow me down! The parts are average t' above average, ya bilge rat, arrr, t' looks are unique, and t' streamer makes for a nice rocket that can be flown on an athletic field.

What I generally like about Aardvark rockets are t' fact that you have to cut your own fins. Aye aye! Blimey! I was a bit surprised that this kit came with pre-cut fins. This, matey, o' course, makes for a nice little kit t' share with beginnin' rocket builders.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

comment Post a Comment