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. Arrr! T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.

Construction:
T' HyperX, shiver me timbers, on t' outside, is a basic 4FNC rocket. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! 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. Due t' t' length o' t' blades, t' shock cord is mounted WAY down t' body tube.

Since this is an RTF, ya bilge rat, me bucko, ya bilge rat, thar be very little construction. Even t' chute was preassembled and attached t' t' shock cord. Aye aye! Blimey! T' only assembly required was t' attach rubber bands t' t' nose cone blades. Ya scallywag! T' rubber bands provide t' tension necessary t' unfurl t' blades after t' nose cone has been ejected from t' body tube. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' fin unit/motor mount is molded plastic. Avast! While it is no fun for modelin' purposes, t' plastic is very durable and can withstand hard impacts. T' same applies t' t' plastic nose cone. T' "launch lug" is a molded piece o' plastic, matey, with two rings t' guide t' launch rod. Begad! One major drawback t' t' construction be t' very slender shock cord mount (probably 1/8"). Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Like I said, t' shock cord is mounted very deep into t' body tube t' give t' nose cone fins some room. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! This places it closer t' t' engine's ejection gases. Well, blow me down! No doubt this shock cord is goin' t' be burned off soon. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, matey, B6-2/4, me bucko, and t' C6-3. Begad! I used t' fins on t' nose cone t' pack t' recovery waddin' as far as possible into t' body tube. Begad! T' parachute and shock cord were then put into t' tube. Begad! T' nose cone blades were collapsed, and t' nose cone slid easily into place. Arrr! T' motor retainer rin' twisted off easily, me bucko, t' motor was inserted, and t' retainer rin' twisted securely on. T' first flight was on a B6-2. Begad! Shortly after leavin' t' launch pad, t' rocket took off on a 45 degree angle. Ahoy! It probably didn't get more than 100' off o' t' ground. Arrr! T' ejection charge kicked in, ya bilge rat, and t' nose separated. Avast, me proud beauty! T' nose dropped like a rock for about 15 feet before t' blades kicked in. T' nose cone's descent rate was pretty slow, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and on a windy day it will definitely drift quite a bit. T' body tube came down rather smartly on a 12" chute. Well, blow me down! T' second and third flights were better, ya bilge rat, also on B6-2s, me hearties, but nay straight up. Avast, me proud beauty! T' HyperX flies each time like it is weathercocking, except that it does nay necessary point into t' wind. Begad! Each time t' nose cone drifted a lot. Aye aye! This is definitely nay a rocket t' fly on a windy day. Aye aye! It's also a fairly heavy rocket, so t' flights are nay that high. Launch it on a C if you have t' room t' recover t' nose cone unit. Begad! Still, matey, t' helicopter recovery makes this a fun rocket t' fly. Begad! It is one o' me son's favorite rockets t' watch.

Recovery:
Like I said, t' nose does drift quite a bit. Well, blow me down! But after several flights, 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, me bucko, but it is a lot o' fun, especially for kids. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' biggest con is that is is an RTF! Blimey! This would have made a great kit.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

comment Post a Comment