Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Length: | 3.75 inches |
Manufacturer: | Art Applewhite Rockets |
Brief:
The Steath is a unique kit that is easy to build, quick to prep and a great flyer. The spinning flight is sure to turn heads and its flight characteristics make it ideal for small fields.
Kit Contents:
Construction:
This kit is extremely easy to assemble. The instructions are crisp and clear. There are pictures for each step in the process. Finally the material used in constructions is very easy to work with.
There is one pattern that needs to be cut from each of the 3 foamboard pieces that make up the pyrimid shape. A bevel needs to be cut on 2 edges and a jagged edge on the third. This is easily accomplised with a sharp hobby knife and patience. The three sides are then glued to one another along the beveled edges. Because of the assembly method and the use of white glue, there is lots of room for error on the beveled edge. Once the 3 sides of the rocket are dry, the base is glued in. This adds rigidity to the rocket.
Finally the motor mount is glued in. The motor is indended to be friction fit into the mount. This is the one part of the kit that I would suggest be changed. Although taping the motor is a trivial task, there is no other prep necessary for the rocket. So if this was eliminated, the rocket could be recycled quickly. This is easily accomplished by adding a thrust ring and a motor clip. If you were to add these materials to the rocket, the prep time for this rocket would fall to zero.
Construction Rating:
5 out of 5
Finishing:
The instructions specify that any exposed foam be covered by white glue because any foam that comes in contact with paint may dissolve.
The rocket spins in flight and so I wanted to accentuate it. I created spiral templates, one for each side. One by one I taped the template to the side and applied the paint. I finished the kit with clear coat to protect the paper on the foamboard.
Flight:
All flights were on D11-P motors. The rocket flew straight and spun as it ascended. Similar to cone stabilized rockets, the smoke trail was more concentrated behind the rocket than with the typical fin stabilized rocket.
The rocket is designed to be retrieved by featherweight recovery. At apogee, the rocket began to tumble, but eventually stabilized and made a soft landing.
Flight Rating: 5 out of 5
Summary:
With the exception of the motor mount additions, which are inexpensive and easy to add, this kit was easy to build and fun to fly. I highly recommend adding this to your fleet.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
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A.E. (March 14, 2004)