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Estes Photon Disruptor

Estes - Photon Disruptor {Kit} (003025) [2010-]

Contributed by woody

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2011-02-23
Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 24.50 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 2
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

Brief

Kit #3025: The Photon Disruptor by Estes is a Sci-Fi stylized, multi-finned interstellar torpedo carrying a Radiation Flux-tipped warhead. Built by the Space Weapons Division (SWD), it is designated variant: Mod ptx-t1103 APP-RAD. 8-214.

 

Components

In the Estes Photon Disruptor kit #3025 there are two main body tubes, an upper body tube BT-55 at (34.5cm) long, and a shorter lower body tube BT-50 at 197mm long. The kit also comes with a nice balsa wood nose cone being not to hard or soft and just right for that perfectionist. The fin material is laser-cut balsa wood 3/32 thick with great density for fins and the engine mount is standard 18mm to fit the lower BT-50 body tube. The recovery system for the Photon is a 24-inch shock cord with a red 18-inch parachute preassembled with lines attached. The finishing touches for this rocket include a set of nice, and I do mean nice, decals to push the looks of this rocket. It also includes awesome instructions.

 

Construction

Take your time and follow the directions! I could not find anything wrong with the instructions, but pay close attention to putting the lower tube into the upper tube. I was using a wood glue that tried to set so fast (I call this gripping) that I almost didn't get the proper fit.

Finishing

The only con I had with finishing was one decal. Don't let distractions get you!! Throw the family out the door or at lest send them to the movies!!!! ARG!

Construction Score: 5

 

Flight

Pros: Nice four flights; recovery ejection at just past apogee on this batch of B6-4s

Cons: I would not fly it on A8-3 on a windy day. 

Recovery

Pros: I used a hole puncher to make one  small bleed hole in the chute to deter some swaying during recovery.

Pros: NICE Decent! A little softer would be something for me.

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

I do recommend this kit!!! Even the price of the kit is $Good$. Estes really thought it through! GOOD over-all flights and recovery. At the time of this review it has had eleven launches. I think I (MIGHT) try an Aerotech in it just to push it over D impulse. Tongue out

Overall Rating: 5
Other Reviews
  • Estes Photon Disruptor By Matt Joseph (July 6, 2010)

    Brief: This is a skill level 2, 18mm motor rocket. Recovery is via an 18" red plastic pre-assembled parachute. This is one of the Classic Series offered by Estes. Construction: The two body tubes are glassine paper tubes. On this kit, the tube spirals were practically non-existent. The fin material was laser cut balsa, and the nose cone was balsa. The instructions were easy ...

Flights

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