Brief:
This is an egg lofting rocket by Estes with a large payload capsule suitable for eggs and other payloads. It flies on 18mm motors and is recovered by a parachute. It has been out of production (OOP) for a few years.

Construction:
The kit came packaged in a nice bright colored box and included the two motor mount sections, retention ring, fins, lower launch lug, two BT-56 sized blue body tubes, coupler section with the upper launch lug, lower and upper payload capsule sections, adapter ring, foam insert, shock cord, 18 inch unassembled parachute, shroud lines, and tape rings and decals.

The instructions were of typical Estes material and had illustrations and text. No templates or shock cord mounts were included as none were needed.

The kit was in the E2X line and all the components were pre-colored in orange and blue.

I started by assembling the motor mount/fin can assembly. I then attached the shorter body tube, followed by the coupler. I tied the shock cord onto the cross bracing in the coupler as directed, however, I don't think this method of attachment is very good. Next came the coupler and then I aligned the launch lugs and attached the upper body tube. Finally, I assembled the parachute and attached it to the lower section of the payload capsule and tied the shock cord in place to finish the assembly.

PRO: Easy and quick construction.

CON: None here.

I really like the payload capsule on this rocket, as it screws together easily and tightens securely plus a foam insert is included. Just cut the insert in half and you're all set.

Finishing:
There is no real finishing involved with this rocket due to the pre-colored orange and blue components. I just placed the peel and stick decals on it. The finished rocket is rather sharp looking and the colors make it easy to find on the ground.

PRO: No painting required

CONS: None

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
The recommended motors for this rocket are the B4-2, B6-2, C5-3, C6-3. With egg, C5-3 and C6-3, however, C5-3s are currently out of production.

The retaining ring holds the motor in place during flight and this rocket does use recovery wadding.

For the first flight, I used a B6-2 and flew the model empty. It was a nice straight flight and reached a modest altitude. Unfortunately, the lower launch lug was nearly broken off.

After fixing the launch lug, I launched this again with a C5-3 and with an egg onboard. Due to the extra weight, there was some noticeable weathercocking but the chute still deployed in plenty of time and I got the egg back intact.

For the third flight, I used a C6-3 and launched another egg. This time I noticed almost severe weathercocking almost right off the rod. I thought for sure that I was going to end up with a smashed egg but about 50 feet off the ground, the ejection charge went off and with authority. It severed the shock cord allowing the booster to free fall and land without damage but the payload capsule returned under chute and the egg was surprisingly unscathed.

Post-flight inspection clearly revealed the shock cord failed at the mount. I ended up cutting off the burned portion and I remounted it in the normal manner with a paper tri-fold mount.

PRO: Flies nice without payloads.

CONs: Durability of lower launch lug. Seems to weathercock significantly when launching eggs.

Recovery:
For recovery, this rocket uses an 18 inch parachute which is sufficient to bring it and an egg back safely but the shock cord is not all that good. I feel that it is mounted too close to the ejection charge. Even with using the recommended amount of wadding and perhaps a little more, I got two flights out of it before it failed. If Estes ever decides to reissue this rocket, it needs improvement here.

PRO: Correct parachute size.

CON: Shock cord mount location.

Flight Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
I feel that this is a good egg lofting rocket but it is by no means perfect. I feel that the shock cord system definitely could use some improvement and the weathercocking might be a nuisance to some. It needs a bit more power than a C6-3 can provide.

For comparison, I tested this along with my Quest Courier on the same motor (C6-3) and with the same Grade A large egg. The Courier easily outperformed the Omloid with a boost that was almost arrow straight compared to the Omloid's massive weathercocking and reached an altitude maybe double that of the Omloid.

I would recommend this rocket but since it is OOP, I would not put a whole lot of effort into trying to find one when there are better alternatives that are readily available.

Main PRO: Easy construction and finishing.

Main CONs: Flight performance does leave a little something to be desired. Lower launch lug durability. Shock cord mount location.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5