Estes Der Red Max

Estes - Der Red Max {Kit} (651) [2007-]

Contributed by Matthew D.

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2013-12-24
Diameter: 1.64 inches
Length: 16.25 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport

Brief

This one's a classic. Arrr! Easy assembly, shiver me timbers, great decals, cool decals, me hearties, and presumably a good flier.

Components

This is a pretty regular 3FNC rocket, but t' part quality is what makes it shine. Arrr! T' rubber band shock cord is about 1/4 inch wide, much thicker than others I have come across. Arrr! It also seems t' be a slightly different, more sturdy material. This may be standard for all large-caliber rockets, me bucko, ya bilge rat, but this is me first, me hearties, so it's hard t' tell. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! T' fins are also o' high quality. Avast! They are thicker and sturdier than other fins I've seen, matey, me hearties, and seem t' be o' higher quality balsa.T' parachute, as always, me bucko, is very cool. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' decals really add t' t' personality o' t' kit-Mitt grabben! Blimey! Nicht stompen! Blimey! This kit includes an unusual fin alignment jig whuch is punched out o' cardboard and placed in two parts at each end o' t' rocket t' draw t' fin alignment lines. Ahoy! Begad! Blimey! I wish that every kit had this, me bucko, me hearties, as it made everythin' very easy.

Construction

No problems with t' construction until I got t' separatin' t' fins from t' balsa sheet. Begad! It seems that t' laser be malfunctionin' that day, shiver me timbers, and t' balsa be nay cut all t' way through in some places. I had t' separate this with a hobby knife, me hearties, which be hard and took over half an hour because t' balsa is especially thick. Aye aye! I'll have t' rate t' construction and finishin' 4/5 stars for this problem.

Finishing

Not too hard- primer, arrr, arrr, red, decals, clearcoat. Went off without a hitch.

Construction Score: 4

Flight

I have nay flown this yet, I'm waitin' for a non-windy day. Well, blow me down! This is a heavy rocket, and I think that a C engine would be perfect for it. Will update as soon as it is flown.

Recovery

Not recovered yet. T' parachute is cool, though.

Flight Rating:

Summary

This is a classic, and it just feels solid. It's heavy, arrr, t' assembly is easy, shiver me timbers, and it just looks fantastic with t' decals on. Arrr! My only problem be t' fin separation, but that's relatively minor. Aye aye! Begad! Overall, me bucko, I'll give this a 5/5.

Overall Rating: 5
Other Reviews
  • Estes Der Red Max By Todd Mullin (March 25, 2008)

    Brief: Undt zo! Dis es das refew of der Estes Der Red Max rockutt kit! Undt now, you vill read itt und you vill find it ver-r-ry interesting! Yahvohl! Dat ist as order! Another classic kit recently re-released by Estes with some modernization. The Red Max retains its zany fun graphics and original flight characteristics while getting improvements like laser cut fins and a skull ...

  • Estes Der Red Max By Douglas Gardei (September 19, 2007)

    Brief: Re-release of a classic Estes rocket! Includes a cool pre-assembled pirate skull 18" parachute! My first memory of the Der Red Max was a little over twenty years ago. I was between the age of 6 and 8, and my grandfather had given me $20 for my birthday. My parents took me to a mall and I was in Kay-Bee Toy and Hobbies. I was trying to find something to spend my money ...

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