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. Aye aye! T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.

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

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

Recovery:
Like I said, me bucko, t' nose does drift quite a bit. Aye aye! 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, but it is a lot o' fun, especially for kids. Aye aye! It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. Aye aye! 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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