Estes HyperX

Estes - Hyper-X {Kit} (1804)

Contributed by Steve Terrell

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes
Style: Helicopter, RTF

Rocket PicBrief:
T' HyperX is an "Ready t' Fly" (RTF) that has a nose cone that comes down as a helicopter. Blimey! T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.

Construction:
T' HyperX, ya bilge rat, matey, on t' outside, me bucko, shiver me timbers, matey, is a basic 4FNC rocket. Pullin' t' nose cone out reveals three blades attached t' t' nose cone. Each blade is about 4 inches long. T' motor mount uses a retainer rin' instead o' t' usual Estes motor retainer clip. Ya scallywag! Due t' t' length o' t' blades, t' shock cord is mounted WAY down t' body tube.

Since this is an RTF, thar be very little construction. Arrr! Even t' chute be preassembled and attached t' t' shock cord. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' only assembly required was t' attach rubber bands t' t' nose cone blades. Avast! T' rubber bands provide t' tension necessary t' unfurl t' blades after t' nose cone has been ejected from t' body tube. Blimey! Aye aye! T' fin unit/motor mount is molded plastic. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! While it is no fun for modelin' purposes, arrr, t' plastic is very durable and can withstand hard impacts. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' same applies t' t' plastic nose cone. Blimey! T' "launch lug" is a molded piece o' plastic, with two rings t' guide t' launch rod. Well, blow me down! One major drawback t' t' construction be t' very slender shock cord mount (probably 1/8"). Arrr! Ya scallywag! Like I said, matey, t' shock cord is mounted very deep into t' body tube t' give t' nose cone fins some room. Begad! This places it closer t' t' engine's ejection gases. Blimey! No doubt this shock cord is goin' t' be burned off soon. Well, arrr, blow me down! Remountin' t' shock cord at t' same depth might be tricky.

Finishing:
No finishin' necessary.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
Recommended motors are t' B4-2, B6-2/4, and t' C6-3. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I used t' fins on t' nose cone t' pack t' recovery waddin' as far as possible into t' body tube. Blimey! Blimey! T' parachute and shock cord were then put into t' tube. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' nose cone blades were collapsed, me bucko, and t' nose cone slid easily into place. Begad! Blimey! T' motor retainer rin' twisted off easily, t' motor was inserted, and t' retainer rin' twisted securely on. Ahoy! Blimey! T' first flight be on a B6-2. Avast! Blimey! Shortly after leavin' t' launch pad, arrr, ya bilge rat, t' rocket took off on a 45 degree angle. It probably didn't get more than 100' off o' t' ground. Blimey! Blimey! T' ejection charge kicked in, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and t' nose separated. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' nose dropped like a rock for about 15 feet before t' blades kicked in. T' nose cone's descent rate be pretty slow, matey, and on a windy day it will definitely drift quite a bit. Aye aye! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' body tube came down rather smartly on a 12" chute. Arrr! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! T' second and third flights were better, also on B6-2s, arrr, but nay straight up. Blimey! Blimey! T' HyperX flies each time like it is weathercocking, ya bilge rat, except that it does nay necessary point into t' wind. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Each time t' nose cone drifted a lot. Arrr! Blimey! This is definitely nay a rocket t' fly on a windy day. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! It's also a fairly heavy rocket, ya bilge rat, so t' flights are nay that high. Begad! Blimey! Launch it on a C if you have t' room t' recover t' nose cone unit. Still, arrr, t' helicopter recovery makes this a fun rocket t' fly. It is one o' me son's favorite rockets t' watch.

Recovery:
Like I said, t' nose does drift quite a bit. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! But after several flights, shiver me timbers, t' only noticeable wear be t' typical scorch marks on t' shock cord.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
T' HyperX is nay a great flyin' rocket, but it is a lot o' fun, especially for kids. Avast! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. Begad! Blimey! T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, matey, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. Ya scallywag! T' biggest con is that is is an RTF! This would have made a great kit.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

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