Estes Tidal Wave (RTF)

Estes - Tidal Wave {Kit}

Contributed by Brian Jarchow

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

Estes Tidal WaveBrief:
A ready t' fly starter set with rocket, arrr, matey, launch pad, me hearties, controller, me bucko, and two B6-4 motors. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket is essentially t' Code Red with blue plastic & tube sticker.

Construction:
T' rocket comes almost ready t' fly; all t' purchaser has t' do is t' attach the 12 inch parachute, which is pre-assembled. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Look at t' instructions before attachin' t' parachute, especially if you are an Estes oldtimer like me. Aye aye! Avast! When I was a teenager t' parachutes were normally attached t' t' nosecone. Ahoy! For this kit t' instructions specify attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord 3/4 inch from t' nosecone. Begad!

T' fins, nose cone, and launch lug are all plastic and t' rocket seems sturdy enough t' handle a fair bit o' abuse. Avast! Begad! Like t' reviewer o' t' Code Red I thought t' nose was a bit loose in t' tube, but since t' instructions make no mention o' tapin' t' nose cone, ya bilge rat, matey, and since an inexperienced builder wouldn't know t' do so, matey, I decided nay t' tape t' nose. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' set comes with t' Electron launch controller and Porta Pad 2. Arrr! The launch controller is designed with a rubber grommet in t' safety key. Avast! This design requires a great deal o' pressure on t' key t' arm t' circuit - enough pressure t' be uncomfortable in me hand and too much for me 8 year old to manage. Aye aye! Fortunately t' rubber can be pulled out with a pair o' pliers. Begad!

T' Porta Pad comes with a two piece launch rod. Arrr! I found that after getting the two pieces together t' joint betwixt t' rods is a little weak and easily bent. This is somethin' t' watch out for.

Attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord is somethin' anybody should be able t' do in under a minute. T' instructions are almost all pictures and very easily followed.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Estes Tidal WaveFlight:
Motors: This kit provides estimated altitudes with t' motor list. Aye aye! T' table is:

Engine Feet
A8-3 84
B4-4 230
B6-4 254
C6-5 600
I launched with A8-3 and B6-4 engines and found t' estimates about right. Avast, me proud beauty!

Retention: T' motor is held in place by a screw-on retainer on t' bottom. When installin' t' B6-4 engines that came with t' kit I had no problems, ya bilge rat, but the fit was very tight with some A8-3 engines I had purchased. Avast, me proud beauty! A child may have difficulty gettin' t' retainin' rin' on, ya bilge rat, but t' instructions do advise adult supervision. Ya scallywag! Four squares o' waddin' were used, shiver me timbers, as per instructions. Ya scallywag! T' rocket flew straight with t' B6 engines and showed no weathercocking. Avast! T' flight was exactly what it should be for a first timer's rocket. Arrr! Ahoy! When usin' t' A8 engines some weathercockin' was observed, me bucko, but nay a great deal.

Estes Tidal WaveRecovery:
T' descent is just about perfect. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Because t' rocket is constructed with fairly sturdy plastic and t' only weak point (the top o' t' body tube) is the last t' hit t' ground t' rocket can handle a fairly quick descent which minimizes drift. Begad! My daughter's only complaint is she couldn't launch and be in a position t' try and catch t' rocket, she had t' choose.

T' only problem with recovery be a little scorchin' o' t' parachute on one flight. Arrr! Begad! Addin' a fifth square o' waddin' t' future flights eliminated the problem. Avast, me proud beauty!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great rocket for introducin' somebody t' t' hobby, and the appearance will appeal t' anybody who likes t' color blue. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket is easy to prep and fly, matey, arrr, me hearties, and t' rocket can be flown from a backyard usin' A8s and reasonable care.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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