Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Estes ![]() |
Brief:
I built this kit in t' late 1980's. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! This model really looks cool and, me bucko, despite t' number o' parts, matey, was nay terribly difficult t' put together. Well, blow me down! It is a futuristic space fighter reminiscent o' somethin' from Star Wars or maybe Battlestar Galactica.
Construction:
T' Strikefighter sports a unique nosecone that gives t' appearance o' a ramjet engine. T' body tube is BT-55 and t' fins are die-cut balsa. Avast, me proud beauty! There are two main fins set 180 degrees from one another. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! 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. Arrr! Well, blow me down! They have a section o' BT-5 centered in a BT-50 outer tube by six balsa vanes. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! T' BT-5 tubes have simulated weapons mounted in t' front. Begad! These were built-up from a small dowel, a section o' launch lug, me hearties, matey, and numerous cardboard components. Ya scallywag! Avast! Three stabilizers are mounted on each nacelle, matey, 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. Aye aye! Blimey! Trim includes a simulated scoop mounted near t' rear, a clear cockpit, arrr, shiver me timbers, cardboard fairings mounted over t' structural fin fillets, and a whole bunch o' decals. Begad! A decal was 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, and C6-3. 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. Begad! Blimey! There was plenty o' room t' pack these in t' BT-55 body tube. Begad! Blimey! T' flight was successful except for a few scrapes where t' nosecone evidently rebounded into t' body tube. Begad! Blimey! If and when I fly it again I will replace t' rubber shock cord with light Keelhaul®©™ line.
Flight Rating: 4
Summary:
This be a really great lookin' kit that be relatively easy t' build. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! If you can glue a fin on straight then you could build this one.
Overall Rating: 4
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