Estes StrikeFighter

Estes - StrikeFighter {Kit}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes

Brief:
I built this kit in t' late 1980's. Well, blow me down! This model really looks cool and, matey, despite t' number o' parts, was nay terribly difficult t' put together. Avast, me proud beauty! It is a futuristic space fighter reminiscent o' somethin' from Star Wars or maybe Battlestar Galactica.

Old Instructions Graphic

Rocket PicConstruction:
T' Strikefighter sports a unique nosecone that gives t' appearance o' a ramjet engine. Avast! Well, blow me down! T' body tube is BT-55 and t' fins are die-cut balsa. Blimey! Begad! There are two main fins set 180 degrees from one another. Avast, me proud beauty! On t' tip o' each win' is a complex nacelle. I say they are complex only because o' t' number o' parts that went into them. They have a section o' BT-5 centered in a BT-50 outer tube by six balsa vanes. Avast! T' BT-5 tubes have simulated weapons mounted in t' front. Aye aye! These were built-up from a small dowel, a section o' launch lug, and numerous cardboard components. Three stabilizers are mounted on each nacelle, one as an extension o' t' main win' and two at an angle slightly greater than +/-45 degrees.

Finishing:
T' model is painted solid white, except for t' laser cannons that are silver. Blimey! Aye aye! Trim includes a simulated scoop mounted near t' rear, ya bilge rat, a clear cockpit, me bucko, cardboard fairings mounted over t' structural fin fillets, and a whole bunch o' decals. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! A decal be even provided for t' tip o' t' nosecone t' look like turbine blades.

Construction Rating: 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines include t' B4-4, B6-4, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and C6-3. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Blimey! Since I built this as a display model for me son, me hearties, it only flew once on a B6-4.

Recovery:
T' recovery system included a rubber shock cord and a plastic chute. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! There was plenty o' room t' pack these in t' BT-55 body tube. T' flight was successful except for a few scrapes where t' nosecone evidently rebounded into t' body tube. Begad! If and when I fly it again I will replace t' rubber shock cord with light Keelhaul®©™ line.

Flight Rating: 4

Summary:
This was a really great lookin' kit that was relatively easy t' build. Begad! If you can glue a fin on straight then you could build this one.

Overall Rating: 4

Flights

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