Estes Cosmic Explorer

Estes - Cosmic Explorer {Kit} (2421)

Contributed by Jonathan Burton

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2014-04-08
Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 24.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport

Brief

A very nice, sturdy, solid, and pretty lookin' rocket. Avast! This kit is based off o' t' Centuri Centurion. Its skill level is 1, arrr, shiver me timbers, but it was a challengin' build for me regardless. It was t' first one that I had t' sand, me bucko, cut, and do specific detailin' like fillets and proper fin alignment. Begad! This kit was made for performance since t' components featured in it are a lot more sturdy and solid than t' standard Estes rocket kit. This kit also features through-the-wall fin construction.

Components

It's components are as follows;

  • Two very sturdy and solid body tubes, with very thick walls
  • A classic nose cone
  • Thick balsa wood fins.
  • A very thick and very long rubber shock chord, longer than t' rocket itself. Ahoy!
  • An 18" plastic red transparent parachute with very sturdy shroud lines
  • Water slide decals
  • Standard engine mount
  • Thick and sturdy thrust rings
  • Standard launch lugs.

Construction

This kit is outstanding, ya bilge rat, t' instructions were very straight forward and easy t' follow. 

Pros:

  • Solid parts which were easy t' assemble
  • very clear and straight forward instructions
  • Not too much sandin' and cuttin' o' parts was required.


Cons: None

Finishing

Finishin' t' kit be t' most challengin' part t' do since this is a sport kit and is made t' look nice. Avast!

Construction Score: 4

Flight

Mine has nay flown yet.

Recovery

Never flown.

Flight Rating:

Summary

To sum it all up, ya bilge rat, this is an outstandin' kit and I would recommend it t' any hobbyist lookin' t' expand their fleet. T' first issue I had with buildin' this kit was that I had forgotten t' prime t' nose cone since it is balsa wood. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! So t' paint turned out a bit flatter and sloppier on t' nosecone. Avast! It is a bit more on t' challengin' side for a skill level 1 since t' parts are a little higher in quality than most standard kits.  My second issue was that I had assembled t' engine mount before alignin' t' fins t' it, shiver me timbers, so I had t' force t' fins in a bit. Aye aye! Blimey! I probably broke t' balsa on t' ends o' t' fins, me hearties, matey, but I still be able t' get them glued in.

Overall Rating: 5

Flights

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