Quest - Nike Smoke {Kit} (2007) [1994-]

Quest Nike Smoke

Quest - Nike Smoke {Kit} (2007) [1994-]

Contributed by Yitah Wu

Manufacturer:	Quest
Style:	Scale

(Contributed - by Yitah Wu)

In general, this kit is high quality, well thought out, and very easy / quick to build. The fin unit is a single molded piece, but without the cheap feel and look of the Estes ones.

Overall, construction was less than an hour, and would have been closer to 30 minutes had I not made different launch lugs. Instead of the large molded launch lug, I used standard Estes 1/8" lugs about 1/4" long, 4" apart, on 1/8" balsa standoffs (to clear the nose bulge). It looks much better than the stock lug, and I'm sure is lower drag

Nose cone is 3 pieces, 2 halves and a cap. I had a hard time getting the cap to line up perfectly, but otherwise it fits fine. The ribs on the shoulder of the nose cone showed through the body tube to some extent, so I shaved them off and shimmed up the shoulder with tape.

Motor mount is simple, easy, and quick to construct. It would make conversion to 24 mm difficult though. I think that it probably gets enough altitude with a C that 24 mm power is unnecessary.

I finished the kit with the standard flat white with 3 red fins / one yellow fin, etc, it looks HOT! The scale nose cone has all the detail, including the 3 access plates and exhaust port. I think that someone mentioned that the distance between the fin and the rear of the rocket was slightly longer than would be 100% scale, but I'm *Very* happy with it. I think that every scale fan should buy one.

All for less than $10!

Other Reviews

Quest Nike Smoke By Dick Stafford
( Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 10/01/02) Brief: When it comes to flight profiles, I almost always prefer a ‘low and slow’ flight. You see more of the smoke, and hear more of the noise. You see the whole flight, including ejection. Moreover, you maximize the odds of finding your rocket! However, it seems that I always have to have one ‘disposable’ 29mm rocket in ...

Flights

Comments:

R.G. (July 1, 2000)

I also had some problems with the nose cone the seams didn't meet completely and the pins were not completely formed. I've flown it on all the recommended motors with great results. But the best flight has to be the last one at Monroe with an AeroTech D21-7 it really screamed off the pad! It's a very sturdy kit.

unknown. (November 1, 2000)

Fins were a bit warped, but it didn't seem to affect the flight, and isn't noticeable from a few feet away. Mostly just annoying.

C.D. (January 1, 2001)

I felt the plastic pieces were poorly done. The fit between the three nose cone pieces were poor at best and the plastic required a fair amount of filler (I used Testors Model Masters) at the seams, where the nose cone tip meets, and on the main body of the nose cone it self to fill in dimples, and to build areas back up that would have made the cone assembly look flattened otherwise. The panel lines then had to be re-scribed. The fin can however was ok and the rest of the assembly went well and produced an attractive product.

T. (February 1, 2001)

I was given a Nike Smoke kit for Christmas. The fin unit was warped and the nose cone was also warped. In flight it curves. I first launched it on a C6-3 (not recommended) the parachute strings ripped and it fell straight to the ground. No damage though. Next I cut the tail off one of my kits and used it as a streamer. It is 3m long and weighs a bit but works excellent with a C6-3 and doesn't rip.

D.F. (March 1, 2001)

I just bought the kit from hobbylinc.com for $6.49; great value. The fin can is sturdier than Estes with more detail as well. All the plastic parts had more flash than normal, but that is easily fixed. The nose cone is typical molded plastic in that it doesn't fit together real well, but hey, for $6.49, what do you expect? The nose cone had lots of detail, but lots of dimples and ridges as well. I mainly bought this to be a smaller scale companion to my Cosmodrome Nike Smoke, which is cool to have them side by side. Along with the quest kit came a two page write up on the history of the Nike Smoke, including scale drawings of the prototype that were drawn by G Harry Stine in 1967! That is almost worth the price of admission right there. My problems with quest kits as compared to similar Estes kits in general are flimsier engine hooks, parachute attachment and material are flimsier, and more use of plastic model cement on plastic/cardboard joints. I appreciate the Kevlar thread attached to motor mounts instead of elastic glued into folded paper, but feel more comfortable with heavier braided Kevlar(R) cord.

J.L. (January 5, 2003)

I built many Quest Nike Smokes to fly on G engines. Many of the kits have warped fins. The bore of the fin can is off centered. Many of these rockets fly straight during boost, but strangely corkscrew during coast. The nose and body frequently separated during ejection. When it all works the flights are beautiful. It sims to 5000 feet.

K.R.E. (June 18, 2003)

Not sure if I have an exceptional kit or not, but my fins were dead on straight and the nose cone, even the two piece tip assembly went on well. Flights are terrific on a C6-5. The weight of the rocket is enough that chute modifications are not needed unless flying in 10mph winds or over. Often this kit is sold as a sale or bargain item. It's worth it.

J.F.B. (October 27, 2008)

The plastic pieces for the nose cone are not the besting fitting parts. It takes a lot of filling and sanding to get an acceptable looking cone. The rest of the model goes together fine with no issues. The plastic fins for my Smoke were straight with no warps. Great performing rocket.

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