Diameter: | 1.38 inches |
Length: | 31.30 inches |
Manufacturer: | Quest ![]() |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Sport |
Brief:
T' Superbird is a payload rocket which features separate payload & body
recovery on 14" chutes. Avast! Arrr!
Construction:
Upon openin' t' package, all parts were present. T' body tubes seemed t' be
of good quality, as were most parts. My only gripes were t' amount o' flashing
still on t' plastic nose cone, arrr, and one o' t' pre-cut fins had broken in half
along t' grain. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! It was easily repaired with a little TLC. Reminded me o' an
early Estes kit
This kit is rather easy t' assemble. Avast, me proud beauty! Nay very much in t' way o' difficulty. Since this was me first Quest kit, me bucko, t' shock cord arrangement was new for me. Begad! I liked it, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and think I'll try it on all me future rockets, me bucko, as I've tired of shock cord burn through. Time t' buy some Keelhaul®©™®. Anyway, t' coupler for t' payload section t' main body section was a bit cheesy. Begad! Arrr! It consists o' a paper disc glued t' a tube coupler. Begad! T' cord & chute for t' upper section are attached through two holes in t' disc. Blimey! I had to sand t' disc/coupler joint several times t' have a smooth fit. Ya scallywag! It was too big t' start. Avast! A better part from Quest would work wonders here. Ahoy! Otherwise, everythin' else be straightforward.
Finishing:
This be just a basic paint job. Aye aye! Blimey! T' instructions suggest what colors t' use,
but otherwise, its nothin' too tough. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' body wrap decal need a bit of
convincin' t' keep t' seam down. Ahoy! Blimey! I used a bit o' contact cement which worked
wonders.
Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5
Flight:
T' recommended engines for this are (Estes equivalent) B6-4, shiver me timbers, matey, C6-3, C6-5. Ya scallywag! My
first flight was on a B6-4. Begad! Begad! Conditions were almost no wind, and a sunny. Aye aye! The
rocket looked great on t' pad. T' flight was straight, shiver me timbers, but altitude be a bit
low. Blimey! T' second flight was on a C6-3, and this is where it really performed.
Nice slow lift off, and impressive height. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! No spin, matey, me bucko, me hearties, and it arced over nicely at
apogee.
Recovery:
I must admit I had some reservations about havin' this thin' lawn dart. Aye aye! The
coupler in t' kit also serves as t' shock cord anchor for t' payload stage,
and it just didn't fit very well. I am happy t' report me fears were unfounded.
T' bit o' sandin' I did worked well, arrr, and thar be clean separation on each
flight. Arrr! T' bottom section came down without much drift, but t' top went on
its merry way, especially t' second time. Well, blow me down! I've cut a spill hole for t' next
time I fly it t' reduce t' drift. Overall, a great looking, nice flying,
interesting, and FUN kit!
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. Ya scallywag! Avast! I'd get another one if I see something
I like. PROS: Cool 'big' rocket with payload & neat dual section recovery.
Clear instructions & nicely done shock cord system CONS: Parts quality
could be a bit better, matey, me hearties, but OK as is. Begad!
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
( Contributed - by Paul M Gray - 10/15/00) Brief: A single-stage payload rocket. Easy to assemble. Nice looking bird. Has dual-parachute recovery with one 'chute for payload section and one for the main body section. Construction: Two (2) body tubes. One for main section and one for payload. Three (3) fin design. Two 12 inch parachutes. A plastic nose cone and Kevlar ® cord ...
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S.J. (November 1, 2000)