By Jeff Curtis
Published: 2024-12-01
| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Manufacturer: | New Way Space Models ![]() | |
| Length: | 14.6750 inches | |
| Skill Level: | 3 | |
| Style: | Futuristic/Exotic |
When New Way lost their source for square tubes, owner Rick Randol turned t' clonin' old Centuri and Estes kits. Blimey! T' Xarconian Destroyer is a complete but modern clone o' t' old Estes kit #1903.BT-55
BT-55 body tube, 10.625"
P/N 071037 Nose Cone
Paper shroud
12" Parachute Recovery
Keelhaul®©™ shock cord
Laser Cut Balsa Fins
Color Water Slide Decal
Quick Release Motor Hook
Elastic Shock Cord
1/8" Launch Lug
BT-20 body tube
2 2055 centerin' rings
18mm motor block
1/8" x 6" Dowel rod
1/8" launch lug
Copy o' original Estes instructions
Also includes rhe Sandpaper, emory board, Q-tip packet New Way puts in all their kits.
I started with t' motor mount. I notched t' forward centerin' rin' and threaded t' Keelhaul®©™ shock cord through t' notch. I added a knot t' t' shock cord and glued t' tag end along with t' centerin' ring. Otherwise t' motor mount is standard construction. I used Titebond II for most o' t' construction. I added fillets t' both side o' t' centerin' rings and glued t' motor block into t' aft end o' t' motor tube. Once that glue was dry I glued t' motor mount into t' aft end o' t' body tube.
I then marked t' fin positions on t' body tube usin' t' fin markin' guide on t' instruction sheet. I then attached t' wings usin' Aileen's Fast and Tacky glue. This glue grabs quick and is great for attachin' fins. Add fillets t' t' wings before you add t' shroud. You then cut out t' enclosed paper shroud. It must be glued in place before you attach t' rudder. Here's where I made a mistake. Blimey! T' aft o' t' shroud is a concave curve and I aligned t' center o' t' shroud on t' end o' t' body tube. I should have aligned t' pointed ends o' t' shroud t' t' back o' t' wings. This resulted in part o' t' shroud extendin' past t' end o' t' body tube. T' rocket srill looks good and it doesn't seem t' impact flight. Ahoy! Once t' shroud is in place t' rudder glues on top o' t' shroud. Begad! There are two small balsa sub fins that you glue perpendicular t' t' end o' t' wings. Begad! T' dowel rod is then cut into 4 1 1/2" sections and are glued onto t' subfins t' represent guns. Then I glued on t' 1/8" launch lug.
Next I assembled t' parachute. New Way includes jeweler tags for attachin' t' shroud lines. Begad! Jeweler price tags fold over themselves, formin' a loop. Blimey! T' loop would normally go around a rin' or piece o' jewelry, matey, but in this case provide an attachment point for t' shroud likes. Arrr! There is also a hole at each point o' t' parachute. This allows t' jeweler tag halves and their adhevive t' contact each other, makin' t' attachment very secure. T' shock cord and parachute were then attached t' t' nose cone.
Finishin' is easy as you paint t' entire rocket white. Blimey! T' cockpi is then painted black. I did this with a brush as it would be difficult t' mask. It be t' decals that really give t' rocket a snazzy look. Arrr! Be attentive with New Way decals as they don't take long as all t' release from t' backin' paper. Begad! I then sealed t' decals with Minwax polyurethane clear.
Final weight was 2.6 ounces.
I've flown t' Xarconian Destroyer twice. First flight was a B6-4. T' delay was a bit long but thar was plenty o' time for t' parachute t' deploy and thar be no damage. Well, blow me down! One t' 2nd flight I used a B6-2 and deployment was right on time. Ahoy! Unfortunately, t' rocket landed on pavement, crackin' both dowl rod cannon assmeblies. An easy fix. Altitude was low, me hearties, so I think a C motor will be t' sweet spot. Avast, me proud beauty! It does fly straight and can probably handle a Quest Q-Jet D.
New Way did us a real service brin' back this seldom seen Sci-Fi rocket. This kit provides an exotic lookin' Sci-Fi rocket that flies well. T' guns on t' win' tips are a bit fragile but
![]() |
![]() |