T' Lynx (7233) is one o' three new rockets from Estes that feature a futuristic sci-fi design with twin scoops but in a smaller size than is normal for a skill level 3 build. Arrr! Blimey! This is a 13mm rocket that measures 13" in length, shiver me timbers, a dia. o' .74 in. Begad! and a wt. o' only 1.2 oz. Altitude is predicted at 400'. T' Lynx and her sister ship T' Scorpion (7232) share all t' same basic parts but just have different styled wings. Ahoy! Production date for this kit was 12/28/16.

Lynx (7233)

As is typical o' most Estes build this kit starts with t' motor mount. Now if you're all thumbs as I tend t' be at times, ya bilge rat, a pair o' tweezers will help with this section o' t' build as thar are 8 tiny parts that need t' be glued on t' end o' t' mount. On a side note here: Check t' green centerin' rin' that you split before gluin' it on t' ensure proper length for wood pieces. Begad! After gluin' t' white markin' rin' on all eight pieces o' wood were glued on.

Lynx motor mount

T' wings consist o' ten pieces with and additional three pieces for t' tail. As I'm goin' t' be paper coatin' all balsa I glued everythin' together first.

Wings & Tail Fin

After all parts dried I proceeded t' cover all balsa wood with paper. Here are t' parts after paperin' and prior t' painting.

Parts after papering

T' next step in t' instructions have you mark t' BT for t' win' and fin attachment which I did.

BT marked

This is where t' fun begins. I can see from t' instructions that paintin' this bird is goin' t' be interesting. That bein' said I have decided t' pre-color some parts before assembly with a black marker. Aye aye! Bottom o' win' was first.

Bottom Wing

I then followed t' instructions and glued t' tail fin assembly on t' t' body tube. Next I glued t' bottom win' on and let dry. After dryin' I glued t' top wings on and t' front conards. Avast! I then let everythin' set over night. Begad! T' followin' day I squared up t' win' ends and glued on t' win' tips.

Tail & Wings glued on

Back End

T' next step is attachin' t' launch lugs which is what I did. Some how in me haste t' build I forgot t' take a photo o' this step.

T' next step in t' instructions has you install t' engine mount but for what ever reason I skipped ahead t' t' intake prep and installation. I was able t' cut both intakes from one tube. (Sorry about t' fuzzy photo)

Both intakes cut from one tube

I then applied a bead o' yellow wood glue t' t' first intake and glued it on. Aye aye! I then did the same with t' other intake.

Intakes glued on

At this point I finally got around t' installin' t' motor mount.

Motor mount glued in

T' only thin' left t' do before prime and paint is t' attach t' nose cone and parachute. With this done I now have t' wait till sprin' t' paint. Here is a shot o' her with her sister ship T' Scorpion.

Lynx & Scorpion

Well weather finally got up t' 53 degrees today so I decided t' try and do some primer painting. I have four other rockets beside t' Lynx that need primmer so will see how they turn out.

Lynx primed 

Finally able t' get some black paint on this bird. Tomorrow I hope t' get t' decals done but won't be able t' clear coat it for a few days as its supposed t' rain t' next four days. Oh well with this Coronavirus goin' around I'm in no hurry.

Black paint applied

Lynx ready for decals

Well I managed t' get t' decals on today and I must say they were t' most difficult part o' t' build. Arrr! Blimey! They were very thin and hard t' see t' cut out. Ahoy! Blimey! I tried stayin' inside t' black lines while cuttin' them out and still ended up with some white edges along t' decals. Oh well, they won't be noticeable from 10 feet away or at launch time. Rocket just needs a quick clear coat and it's finished.

Lynx decaled