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This is another Estes
kit. It is a bit more difficult to construct than the packaging would
indicate. The boost section is easy but the two gliders are touchy.
The bent wings make for some critical alignment issues that could seriously
effect flight performance. The couplers that hold the gliders in place
through the boost phase are a weak link. They are made of a thin
plastic that rips easily.
Launch: First flight took place using a B6-4 engine. I didn't
want to chase lost gliders all day. The unique problem of trying
to track a booster and two little airplanes at the same time is quite a
job for one set of eyeballs. I recommend a spotter or two to help
out. The rocket lifted off the pad nicely and flew without a wobble
to apogee. The gliders separated but did rip the mounts in doing
so. The booster came down fairly quickly on a streamer but I lost
sight of it for a bit while tracking the gliders ( I found it later).
Both gliders did in fact glide. One had a gentle turning glide, the
other was a more violent tighter turning glide. Both ended up on
the ground fairly close to one another with no damage. I recommend
this kit on its strangeness alone but I also recommend some extra eyes
to keep track of things.
Length: 18.5", drones: 6.1"
Diameter: booster: approx. 1"
Weight: 1.1 oz, drones: .5 oz
Recovery: streamer, glide
Engine: B, C
Max altitude: 700' (my flight was about 300')
Total flights: 1 |
