Frank Casey's Page

2009-09-30

Review
This is a large 24mm through the wall fin rocket put out by Estes. It utilizes the standard elastic shock cord and plastic parachute system that Estes is well known for, which in this case isn't the best option for this particular rocket. More on that later. The components are of good ... [More]

2009-09-29

Aerotech Wart-Hog (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a very versitile kit made by Aerotech. The motor selection is excellent. this rocket can fly on 24mm and 29mm single use or RMS motors. The kit provies a 29mm mount and a 24mm mount adapter. Construction: The parts are top quality, sturdy and include: Motor ... [More]

2009-08-11

Estes Mercury Redstone (Kit)

Review
This is the original Estes Mercury Redstone Kit No. K-41, a scale replica of the first manned ballistic space vehicle. The header tag lists a price of $3.50. It is a single stage rocket with a two parachute recovery system, one for the body and one for the capsule. I purchased this kit on ... [More]

2008-11-16

Semroc Gee'hod (Kit)

Review
This is a Groonie, which I guess is something like a first cousin to the Estes Goonybird. I actually purchased two of these from Semroc, one to build and fly and one to add to the kit collection inventory. It's my first Groony build and I'm glad that I picked this unPC bird to break the ice. ... [More]

2008-11-14

Estes Star Trek Klingon Battle Cruiser (Kit)

Review
Brief: This OOP Estes Rocket kit number 1274 is a skill level 4 kit. It's a 25th Anniversary Commemorative Special Edition kit and comes in a very sturdy large black box with excellent box art on the front and even a schematic of the Starship Enterprise and Klingon Battle Cruiser on the ... [More]

2008-07-11

Estes Der V3 (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is an OOP Estes Kit made from 1987-1989. I purchased it on eBay for 25 dollars. This is a four fin rocket that spoofs the V-2 with comical decals and witty descriptions like Der Fin Wiggler, Der Ender Vots Upper, and Der Lugsfer Launchen. Construction: The parts ... [More]

Estes Mercury Redstone Liberty Bell 7 (Kit)

Review
This is the third Mercury Redstone kit produced by Estes. I built the original K-41 when I was younger and there really isn't any comparison between the two. This newest kit is more like a snap together plastic model kit. There was not much skill involved in building it other than trying to ... [More]

2008-07-09

Clone Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper (Clone)

Review
This is a scratchbuilt clone of the Estes Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper kit, #1310. Parts were either ordered from Semroc or I had them in my parts supply. The instructions were the original Estes instructions downloaded from JimZ's site. The decals were copied from JimZ's site and ... [More]

2008-03-31

Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) (Kit)

Review
Brief: The Estes V-2 "E" Engine Powered kit aka Maxi V-2 is the latest version of the original Model No. 1267 Maxi V-2 which was produced from 1974-1981. I had that original kit way back in the day and it was by far my favorite rocket then just as it is now. This newest ... [More]

2008-03-30

Estes Star Wars Trade Federation Battleship (Kit)

Review
This is one of the Estes Star Wars collection rockets. It is the Trade Federation Battleship from Episode I. I picked up three of these in a package deal on eBay for very short money. I later learned why... It is a single stage rocket which consists of the Trade Federation Battleship with ... [More]

Estes SDI Satellite (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a single stage low power kit. It has a very unique appearance. Some people like the look while others think it's one of the ugliest rockets ever made. Construction: Parts List: Main body tube 8 Fuel tank tubes Nose cone Engine mount tube ... [More]

2008-03-29

Semroc Golden Scout (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Frank Casey - 03/29/08) Brief: This is a reproduction of the original Scout introduced by Vern Estes back in the 1960s. Back in the day, it sold for a mere 70 cents and introduced millions of people to model rocketry. Construction: Parts list: 1 ... [More]

2007-11-09

Plastic Kit 1/48 Jupiter C (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Frank Casey - 11/09/07) Brief: I purchased this plastic model kit on eBay for $16 including shipping. This is a great kit to convert to a flying model rocket using an 18mm mount. Modifications: This kit lends itself to a conversion fairly well. In fact this was ... [More]

2007-10-24

Sunward Aerospace CFX-Six Footer! (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Frank Casey - 10/24/07) Brief: I purchased this kit from a rocketry vendor on eBay for short money, however, when I received it I found that two of the tubes were partially damaged--not badly but there was some creasing (3 inches and 11 inches, respectively) ... [More]

2007-10-18

Modification Der Red Max (Screamin Mimi) (Modification)

Review
This is a kit conversion from an Estes Screamin' Mimi to an Estes Der Big Red Max based on Der Big Red Max instructions provided by JimZ #1977. The only change I made to the JimZ plan was to use the 24mm mount setup that came with the Screamin' Mimi kit rather than the suggested 18mm ... [More]

2007-10-17

Estes Long Big Bertha (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Frank Casey - 10/17/07) Brief: This is a modified Big Bertha rocket. The main body tube was partially crushed when I purchased this kit. Estes sent a replacement which was also partially crushed. When the third tube came, I decided to couple it to the unharme ... [More]

2007-09-29

Estes Saturn V (Kit)

Review
This is the classic Estes Saturn V kit, No. 2001. I purchased this kit off of eBay for a very good price. The kit was started. The single 24mm motor mount had been installed (using crazy glue), the fins and fin fairings had been partially assembled, the engine nozzles had been completed and ... [More]

2007-06-18

Estes Phantom (Kit)

Review
The Estes Astron Phantom was produced between 1973-1996. This particular rocket was never meant to fly. Instead is was created as a display and demonstration model, showing the inside of a typical model rocket. This kit came with the usual parts and also the following special parts: ... [More]

2007-04-07

PD Rocketry USS Atlantis (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a skill level 3 kit. It's a faithful recreation of the old Estes kit that I had as a child. The instructions are clear and in good order. The only thing I would like to have seen is a couple of pictures of the finished bird with all decals applied. There are a lot of ... [More]

Estes Star Trek Starship Enterprise (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a single stage 18mm kit of the famous Starship Enterprise. There are other excellent reviews of this rocket that accurately detail it’s construction so I won’t call out every detail on this build. I picked this kit up on eBay for $12.00 including shipping. As a matter of ... [More]

2007-03-31

Semroc SPEV (Kit)

Review
Brief: The SPEV (Space Exploration Vehicle) by SEMROC is a Retro-Repro of an Estes kit made back in 1972 in the Model Rocket News, Volume 12, Number 3. It was a limited run and was discountinued that very same year in November, never having made it to an Estes catalog. ... [More]

2007-03-08

BoRocks Rocketry Mega Mag! (Kit)

Review
Brief: This rocket is called the "Mega Mag!". It is a beta kit from BoRocks Rocketry. The rocket wasn't in kit form at the time of this review. It came in a LARGE box. Construction: The parts were all very high quality and include: Four BT-80 tubes, 18" each ... [More]

Quest Force 5 (Kit)

Review
Brief: The Force-5 Kit No. 3010 is a skill level 3 kit by Quest. It flies to 700 feet and uses a 14" parachute. It comes with laser cut balsa fins. This was my first Quest kit and I was very impressed by the quality of parts and originality of design. This isn't your typical 3 or 4 ... [More]

2006-12-25

Semroc Saturn 1B (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a Retro-Repro kit by Semroc. What is a Retro-Repro? As quoted from Semroc Saturn 1B Instruction Manual: "It is a reproduction of an out-of-production model rocket kit. It is a close approximation of a full scale model of an early historically significant model rocket ... [More]

2006-06-14

Estes Porta-Pot Shot (Kit)

Review
Brief: This is a new Estes Kit. It is a single stage kit and recovery is by parachute and also a white streamer meant to look like toilet paper. (I don't make this stuff up...) Construction: The body itself is styrofoam and comes in two sections. The roof of the rocket is made of ... [More]

2004-07-15

Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) (Kit)

Review
Brief: Large Mid-engine rocket with dual parachutes. Construction: The model came in a huge box. It was dented but there was no damage. Parts in the kit: Nose cone Shock cords Parachutes Engine tube holder Engine tube Tail cone Four fins Engine hook ... [More]

2003-10-20

Estes Star Trek Klingon Battle Cruiser (Kit)

Review
Brief: A single staged Model Rocket commemorating the Star Trek series 25th Anniversary. Flies on a single 18mm motor and recovers with a standard 18" plastic parachute. Construction: Again, as is the case with the Enterprise rocket in this series. The Klingon ship has a very ... [More]

0000-00-00

Estes SDI Satellite (Kit)

Review
Brief: I chose this rocket because I was sick of all the "normal" looking rockets. In New Zealand, only Quest and SOME Estes kits are available, and a look through what was available in NZ made me realize that, on the most part, they all looked the same. Then I came across this ... [More]

Frank Casey