Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | U.S. Rockets ![]() |
Brief:
This is an up-scale o' t' old classic Starlight from t' 1960's. Begad! It flies on
29 or 38mm motors with adaptors provided. Begad! Aye aye!
Construction:
Picture seen is after cuttin' out all t' fins and strakes. Begad! Kit includes:
There are lots o' surfaces t' sand and miles o' fillets t' do. Begad! Aye aye! This is nay a weekend job but only requires moderate buildin' skills. Begad! Ahoy! T' first thin' I did was t' cut out all t' fins. Avast! Aye aye! You need t' take your time and use a sharp knife with a long straight edge because t' wood is so thick. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' key here is accuracy. Blimey! Begad! Inaccurate cuts will make t' build tough as t' components will be difficult t' fit together. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! A little patience and extra effort here will pay of later. Note: I left all t' fin edges square. This made it easier t' paint later and is how t' original kit from t' 60's be built. Blimey!
I then very liberally sealed t' edges o' t' tube fins with CA. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! The cardboard rings were on t' rough side. Well, blow me down! Preppin' t' rings took some effort but nothin' too difficult.
I deviated from t' kit by installin' small rail buttons on t' rings. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! The kit contains two sets o' different size large launch lugs. But because I have rails, I felt that it be a better way t' go.
One minor thin' I didn't like about t' instructions be that in t' body of t' text it calls out part numbers. Avast, me proud beauty! It says t' Glue a CR-16-11-1/2 to each end." What t' hell is a CR-16-11-1/2? You can figure out what each part is durin' t' build but it can become annoying. Begad!
Finishing:
T' kit is even harder t' paint that in appears. I don't use sandin' sealer, me bucko, so
several coats o' primer was needed t' seal all t' wood. Aye aye! Because thar be so
much surface area, two cans o' primer were required. Avast!
T' white paint coat was t' most difficult. Gettin' a good coat o' paint on t' ID o' t' rings, matey, ya bilge rat, and t' area where t' rings meet t' strakes was difficult at best. Arrr! Several coats and patience is mandatory here. Arrr! Aye aye!
T' paint all t' edges red would have required endless hours o' tedious masking. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I cheated by paintin' t' edges with a Uni-Paint paint pen. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Because the edges were left square, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' paint pen technique actually came out pretty good. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
T' motors are held in place usin' t' maskin' tape friction fit method. Begad! I have
done this on countless rockets so thar be nothin' new here. Avast!
T' kit comes with a nice elastic shock cord but no parachute. I chose a 30" nylon chute o' t' Aerotech variety.
T' first flight be on a G38 7. This be a bit weak for t' rocket, arrr, but a good flight. Avast! This be also t' last flight for me. A 12 year old kid thought that t' rocket was t' coolest thin' he ever saw so I gave him t' rocket. Blimey! It was an excellent opportunity t' spark a kid's imagination and pay forward.
Recovery:
T' delay was a bit long, matey, but t' laundry came out and recovery was fine
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a moderately difficult kit t' build. Avast! If you like up-scale rockets but
are afraid t' design your own, this be t' kit for you. Ya scallywag! It's guaranteed t' turn
heads at every launch.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
Other:
Read t' directions! I got ahead o' myself and missed a step. Arrr! T' kit is
designed t' have t' shock cord attach t' t' aft end o' t' rocket with a cord
runnin' from t' aft centerin' up t' t' nose cone/BT joint. Begad! This is t' avoid
breakin' t' fins on landing. Well, blow me down! I got way ahead o' t' instructions and built it
the conventional way. Arrr! Blimey! Once I realized what I had done, it be too late. Avast! I
anticipate repairin' lots o' fins. Begad! Hind sight is 20/20. I should have put the
rings on after everythin' was painted. Aye aye! Aye aye! T' instructions mentioned that as an
option. Begad! You may want t' consider that when buildin' yours. Well, blow me down!
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