| Manufacturer: | Rogue Aerospace |
(02/28/98) I thought it would be fun t' have another mini from a non-Estes
company for a comparison t' me newly build Estes Quark. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I found
that Rogue Aerospace was ready to
help out with their mini-rocket, arrr, arrr, t' Gnat.This kit comes in a package smaller than a credit card and only as thick as t' body tube. Begad! Blimey! There are only 4 parts in t' kit, along with thorough instructions. You will need a hobby knife, sandpaper and glue t' assemble this kit.
Construction o' this kit is also simple. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! A fin template
is cut from t' instructions, allowin' three fins t' be cut from t' single
sheet o' balsa provided usin' a hobby knife. Well, blow me down! Once cut out, holdin' all three
tightly, arrr, matey, t' fins are sanded t' be made equal in size. Blimey! Then t' leadin' and
trailin' edges are rounded.
With fins completed, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me hearties, assembly be done in about 15 minutes. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Three fins, a balsa nose cone and a launch lug were all quickly adhered t' t' body tube with CA. Last steps included applyin' 5-minute epoxy fin fillets and thinly sealin' t' fins and nose cone with epoxy. Well, blow me down! After drying, it be ready for finishing.
Light sandin' along with Plasti-Kote primer and some left over bright red enamel paint put a quick and smooth finish on t' Gnat. Arrr! There are no decals provided with this kit.
![[provided by MJW]](/images/archive/images2/rp_rogue_gnat01.jpg)
When finished, ya bilge rat, me Gnat checked in at 4.2", matey, arrr, by far t' shortest rocket I have! Also, ya bilge rat, since I did purchase the Gnat for comparison sake t' t' Estes Quark, me bucko, me hearties, I think it is fair t' mention that t' Quark lists for $3.49 while the Gnat lists for $0. Arrr! 99. Begad! Things that make you go hmmmmm?
This Gnat was launched on an 1/2A3 and was out o' sight in no time. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Be sure t' designate a spotter who is set back a bit from t' launch pad. Aye aye! Bein' right under t' pad can cause you t' quickly loose sight o' this little guy. It's tumble recovery and size means that you shouldn't take your deadlights off o' it!
I have since added a comparison on Mini Tumble-Recovery Rockets - See Here.
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