Sheri's Hot Rockets Little Joe II

Sheri's Hot Rockets - Little Joe II {Kit}

Contributed by Andrew Connors

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Sheri's Hot Rockets

Sheri's Hot Rockets Little Joe II

Brief:
This kit is From Sheri's Hot Rockets, part o' CJS aviation. Ahoy! This Little Joe II kit is a 29mm MPR/HPR 1/30th scale kit o' t' famous LJ2 QTV. Ya scallywag! It's a single stage 29mm configuration although you could cluster or use a larger MMT if you used thicker centerin' rings.

Construction:
Single BT made from heavy gauge kraft tubin' and all four fins, me bucko, me hearties, body wraps, me bucko, me hearties, modules and t' tower are made from styrene plastic. Begad! Blimey! T' tower extension is a 7/8" wooden dowel. T' recovery system is nay included and a chute o' 55-60" is recommended. Arrr! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Steel screw eye bolts are provided for recovery attachment.

T' directions are well laid out and easy t' follow. Arrr! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I do think that for t' more inexperienced modeler, me bucko, ya bilge rat, slightly more in depth directions with larger pictures would help, matey, me hearties, but in me opinion this is nay for t' rocketry beginner. T' assembly is straightforward and if you have some HPR and modelin' experience under your belt, you'll be fine. Ahoy! Blimey! T' templates are very accurate and easy t' use. Well, blow me down! Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! T' only component that I would recommend changin' be t' main body tube. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' Uline tube I received is nay paper covered tubin' and fuzzes and breaks down easily. Aye aye! Blimey! I think that SHR should switch tubin' but that's just me. Avast, me proud beauty! After a lot o' sandin' and priming, I did get a suitable finish. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I'm very picky with a rockets finish and I spend a lot o' time on aesthetics. This is a very sturdy kit and if you are patient and willin' t' spend some extra time on t' finish, ya bilge rat, this rocket should last a long time. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! T' main thin' is patience. Ahoy! Blimey! You can't throw this one together quickly. Aye aye! Blimey! I had over 60 man hours invested, matey, but then again I'm picky. Begad! Overall this is a great kit!

Sheri's Hot Rockets Little Joe II

Finishing:
I sanded t' main tube then applied several coats o' Bondo spot putty and resanded prior t' any construction. Avast! Ya scallywag! This will help later t' hide spirals and BT imperfections. I also used some 12 minute epoxy and milled fiber for attachment o' t' fins and 2-part foam in each fin for strength. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Most o' t' decals are vinyl which is a lot better than waterslide, arrr, however, matey, t' US BT decals are waterslide since vinyl won't work for t' BT.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
G40-4W as recommended.

Recovery:
2-ply nylon cord, matey, ya bilge rat, me bucko, 60" chute, Nomex cloth and use t' lanyard line recommended.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Overall great rocket kit!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Sheri's Hot Rockets Little Joe II By Robert Koenn (November 9, 2008)

    I think the Apollo Little Joe 2 is probably my favorite rocket of all time. I am not sure why but I liked the appearance of it back in the late '60s when I purchased my first Estes kit during my high school days. I think it is the Apollo capsule and launch escape system (LES) parked on top of a stubby, brute force rocket of very basic design. The actual vehicle was a conglomeration of solid ...

  • Sheri's Hot Rockets Little Joe II By Tim Doll (October 30, 2008)

    Sheri's Hot Rockets Little Joe II is a mid power (29mm engine mount), 1/30 scale model of the popular NASA test vehicle that was used during the mid 1960s to test the Apollo Launch Escape System. Sheri keeps a consistent "Buy It Now" presence on eBay or you can order it direct off her website . As of this writing, the list price is $89, although she does have occasional sales where she'll ...

Comments:

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K.J. (April 3, 2010)
I read about waiting for your order. I am waiting for my order for nearly one year now. So I think I will not get the delivery for which I paid $640 for. Problem is I am living in the Netherlands and visiting them to collect my money is not an option. I have tried to contact them via e-mail but mostly get no response or in each case not the appropriate action: them sending the goods I paid for. So, my advice: Do not pay in advance. This is not a trustworty firm.
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Roger Smith (July 12, 2011)

Note: Sheri's Hot Rockets products are now manufactured and sold by Red Arrow Hobbies.  The comment above was posted before Red Arrow took over the product line.

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