| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Published: | 2016-03-09 |
| Diameter: | 2.50 inches |
| Length: | 48.70 inches |
| Manufacturer: | Estes  |
| Style: | Sport |
Brief
This kit appears to be a bash of Pro-Series II parts featuring The nose and transition from an Argent, with one lower body tube instead of two. It also appears to have the Partizon's fins. It still uses the standard pro series 29mm mount and screw retainer and 24" chute. Finished weight for me was 13.08 Oz.
Components
There are two main body tubes, a 2" upper tube and a 2.6" bottom tube, similar to the Argent but without the middle tube. Plywood fins appear to be from the Partizon, and are through the wall to the standard 29mm motor mount with plywood centering rings and the standard plastic screw adapter. Recovery is the standard 24" nylon PS-II chute with trifold anchor and 1/2" elastic cord. Nosecone is plastic and appears to be from the Argent.
Construction
Kit goes together very easily, like other PS-II kits. Fit and finish is comparable to those kits as well. The standard "gotchas" apply for the motor mount centering rings. It's easier to leave the aft ring off and do internal fillets, then add the back ring. This is different than the instructions. I choose to add an eyehook through the top centering ring and attach Kevlar cord with a mylar wrap, but this is separate from the actual kit materials.
Finishing
No special skills were required for the kit, fit and finish required little sanding and sealer. Body tubes are colored white like all PS-II kits and have a reasonably smooth finish. One coat of primer and two coats of paint and it came out looking great.
Flight
I've flown the Sahara four times. Twice with Estes F15-6, which is a slightly longer delay than the recommended -4. Both times the rocket deployed just at apogee or within 30-40 feet after apogee. Altitude via Jolly Logic 3 was 670 and 654 feet on the two launches. The flights were text book straight and true off 6 foot 1/4" rods and 5-6 MPH steady breeze. The 24" chute allows for a little drift given a non-loaded weight of 13 Oz for the rocket. The second two launches were on AeroTech G74-6 Economax motors. They were VERY fast and altitudes was 1698 and 1721 feet respectively. With the wind it was quite a walk for recovery (1/4 mile or so) but our field is large. A -6 delay is a little short, with the deploy at moderate speed. A 7 second delay or so would likely be ideal.
Recovery
The 24" chute allows for what I would say is a slow decent/recovery, I've recovered safely all four launches in one day.
Summary
I think this is a great kit and bridges that gap between an rocket that can fly on large BP motors and AP. Would recommend it.
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Flights
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