Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Estes |
Brief:
A kit containing 2 plastic bodied rockets (Space Bus and Space Hauler) with cardboard engine tube and metal engine hook.
Construction:
Well, I tried model cement but saw that it wasn't sticking to the plastic. Rather than second guess it, I went straight for the CA! I thought that since these little buggers were so small it would be OK--and it was! Construction was a snap, with about 10 minutes or less for each rocket. The stickers don't stay on the Space-Bus too well, but it's cute! The Space Hauler is pre printed. Instructions are easy to follow.
Finishing:
The stickers don't adhere well to the body, but that's about all the trouble I had.
Construction Rating: 5 out of 5
Flight:
Wow, do these critters soar! I went for broke and used the A3-10T. Now I have to admit I bought 2 of these kits because in the first kit both rockets were eaten by trees on their first flight. I could see them and though a little tough for a beginner to spot, I found that if you waited till early evening for the blue Space Hauler to launch, it showed up nice. Sundown worked good for the little Space Bus too! I had to buy a 2nd kit because my wife was mad at the tree that ate the rockets and she wanted another set... We got 2 launches out of the Space Hauler before a tree ate it! It went up nice, straight, and FAST! Even with a good wind it flew well. I had no trouble with either rocket in flight.
Recovery:
With the Space Hauler you have to carefully pack 1/2 a sheet of wadding and it might have made 3 flights until the rocket hungry tree got it. The Space Bus is still here after 2 flights and I had no trouble whatsoever except that it tends to go in the direction it's leaning from the launch rod--and that meant I had to avoid some curious cows in the pasture next door to get it back on the 2nd flight. You need 1 1/2 sheets of wadding in this one. The shock cords and streamers were both a little burnt and will need to be replaced after a few shots. The bodies are small and you have to pack the rockets carefully. I noticed the motor tube in the Space Bus now slides up and down a little bit now though.
Flight Rating: 2 out of 5
Summary:
PROs: Construction is quick and easy and they're cute! CONs: Keep them away from the trees!
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
Mini Engine Starter Set. Comes with a "Space Bus" bullet style rocket, and a "Space Hauler" Jayhawk style rocket. Also included is a mini launch pad, Electron Beam launch controller, two A10-3T motors with igniters, plugs, and wadding. The rocket kits each feature two body halves, a nose cone, nose cone base, plastic launch lug, motor tube, motor hook, overlap tube, shock cord, half width ...
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