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Estes - AIM-9 Sidewinder (2125) [1996-2000]

Manufacturer:Estes
Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Contributed by Paul Altman

I received a Estes AIM-9 sidewinder kit for Christmas. The kit came in a box and I am sure it was bought a WAL-MART for $10.00 (great price).

The instructions were standard Estes with only 2 confusing parts and I got them figured out with the help from my local club buds . The fins are thru-the-wall mount, very strong but the balsa was very soft (for a good reason), the rear fins had to be glued together. I just CA'ed them with the gap filling kind. All of the parts fit well but the rear fin slot was very wide, the diagram showed that you turn the fin so that all the fins turn in the same direction. Contrary to popular thinking they are to be turned not straight like most fins. This was one of those confusing parts in the directions but everyone said they go on straight but the illustration showed the offset. So I went against what my friends told me to do: offset the rear fins, my thinking came from looking at the picture on the box with the spinning smoke trail.

The decals didn't fit well. The color band didn't wrap all the way around the tube so I put all the seams in line with each other on the side of the launch lug (good move it hides all seams while on the rod).

The model is very sturdy but, heavy as I attempted to launch it on a A8-3 (not a recommended motor) and it almost crashed, ejection was at 4 or 5 feet off the ground but no damage! Sturdiness is rated at a 4, assembly was a 3 because the card stock tube wrappers are hard to get tight to the tube. Not to mention the fin offset was hard till I thought about it and I used yellow glue at the root and CA'd the rear of the fin to one side and bent it over at the front and CA'd it there, it worked great. It comes down in two parts, so getting everything in there neat and not too tight was tricky.

Now every other kit review of the Sidewinder said it was very unstable (my thinking was they put the fins on without the offset because mine was the straightest rocket I own, not to mention the way it spun just like the photo on the box and had a spinning smoke trail!

I rate flight as a 5 . The only thing I didn't like about the recovery was the fact that I launched (I used a Estes C6-5) it for my mom when it was done to show her the gift she bought and a tree ate the rocket. The nose cone escaped certain death as it recovered fine. But if the tree was not there I would give recovery a 5, the two parts would have been close together. Sorry no pictures I would need a super zoom lens it is hanging over 100 feet up. This is a truly fun kit to fly it just takes a little time to build it right, have fun with yours!

    Flight Log

    DateRocket NameMotor(s)AltitudeNotes
    1969-12-31Mike Goss's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Rocket did large corkscrew ending up with a long unpoweredhorizontal glide, ejection was when it...
    1969-12-31Mike Goss's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Rocket did same as before, only shorter glide.
    1969-12-31Mike Goss's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderB6-4- Rocket keeled over and flew horizontal, recovery OK
    1999-04-21Eric Miller's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderB6-2- Windy day, nice straight flight, no weather cocking, ejected parachute floated over house and...
    1999-04-27Mike Goss's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Too much tilt for such a heavy nose. Almost went ballistic, ejection 40 feet off ground, rocket OK
    1999-05-22Eric Miller's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderB6-4- I like military styling, my rocket retriever was losing interest now since they had a yard sale...
    1999-06-19Eric Miller's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-5- Interesting flight, parachute did not deploy it looked like a real Sidewinder, people were calling...
    1999-08-28David Fergus's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC5-3- good straight flight to about 100ft, not much spin in spite of the angled rear fins. had added...
    1999-09-25David Fergus's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC5-3- good slow straight flight, not much spin.
    1999-10-22Mike Goss's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Rocket tilted slightly just after clearing rod, then flew straight. Parachute tangled, but no...
    1999-10-23David Fergus's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- good straight med speed flight to about 800ft. moderate spin, nc came down faster on a 12 chute...
    1999-10-26Scott Smith's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Straight launch, drifted a bit during the descend. Solid rocket.
    1999-10-26Scott Smith's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderB4-2- Great first flight, straight up, and perfect dual parachute landing.
    1999-10-26Scott Smith's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- 2nd flight was perfect, great straight launch - no problems with the recovery.
    2000-04-22David Fergus's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- GOOD STRAIGHT FLIGHT, A LITTLE BIT OF CORKSCREW, BUT NOT MUCH.
    2000-04-24Ron Cooke's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Perfect first flight!
    2000-04-26Mike Goss's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Good Flight
    2000-04-29David Kneble's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Another good flight.
    2000-05-21David Fergus's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3-
    2000-07-08Eric Miller's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-5- This rocket was upgraded to D engine power and hasn't flown in a while. The Sidewinder lives up to...
    2000-07-16David Stubbs's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderG80-10- Modified AIM-9 to fly G80-10T engine, It got to 1500-2000 and had a slight wobble then straighten...
    2000-07-22David Fergus's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-5- After the loss of engine hook, I friction fit the engine into mount. ejection charge blew out two...
    2000-11-05Randy Powell's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- angled launch rod about 5* into wind. Boosted straight up and going a little downwind, 3 nice big...
    2001-01-27Donald Besaw's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderB6-4- Underpowered flight with B6-4. Will try a C5-3 next time.
    2001-02-24Jim Zamecnik's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Chittenden Reservoir. Straight boost to about 300', plastic chute didn't open, rocket fell...
    2001-03-11Donald Besaw's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC5-3- Finally got around to using this motor, What a combo! Nice straight flight. Both pieces recovered.
    2001-04-02Casey Smith's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Another great flight for this old kit. It looks great every time. It goes up with a little...
    2001-04-03Dan Hahn's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderE16-4- 18mm E16-4 RMS WOW! Perfect flight & recovery -15min epoxy, 4 coats sealer on fins, 4 ft by 1/4...
    2001-04-13Casey Smith's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-7- Nice boost got the cobwebs out. The delay is a little long, one line came off the chute.
    2001-04-14Casey Smith's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Good flight, tried streamers for recovery, very close recovery of each piece
    2001-04-22Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD9-4- Got about 2 seconds of bonus delay. Model recovered fine, no damage.
    2001-04-29Randy Powell's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5-
    2001-05-21Daniel Cutteridge's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Flew great. Very stable when motor is burning. Straight flight. Had a long walk to recover it. To...
    2001-05-21Donald Besaw's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Drag raced another Sidewinder. Took off late due to my crappy launch controller. Finally won a...
    2001-07-08Mark Patoka's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Another perfect flight. Caught some wind and drifted after chute deployed.
    2001-07-10Les Bradshaw's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderB6-4- Nice launch. Parachute only opened about 20' above ground, but no damage.
    2001-07-14Donald Besaw's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Good flight with quite a bit of wobble. Good recovery.
    2001-09-18Alex Shim's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderB6-6- Very good flight but lots of spinning. perfect ejection and nice 2 part recovery.
    2001-12-30Donald Besaw's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Must have homed in on an invisible target. Went horizontal at about 100 feet. No damage.
    2002-01-05Jason Vennard's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Good flight and recovery, 5 second delay too long.
    2002-01-11Jason Vennard's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Great flight and recovery, rocket is flying great.
    2002-02-24Donald Besaw's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Great flight. Long walk for recovery. No damage.
    2002-03-16Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD9-4- Wandered around a bit during boost trying to get a target lock, I guess. May need to use D15's to...
    2002-04-17Jason Vennard's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC5-3- Great motor for this rocket, great flight and recovery.
    2002-10-20Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC11-5- Well, THAT'S not the right motor!! Model recovered without Damage.
    2002-11-24Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD9-4- Lots of bouns delay again. Model recovered without damage.
    2003-04-26Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD9-4- Another bonus delay motor.
    2003-06-07Donald Besaw's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC5-3- Very nice flight. Very short walk for recovery. No damage.
    2003-06-23MikeyR's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Not too straight, but not bad.
    2003-06-24MikeyR's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3-
    2003-07-13Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Best flight to date for the Sidewinder.
    2003-11-15Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight!
    2004-02-21Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight.
    2004-05-16Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Another good flight.
    2004-12-18Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight!
    2005-02-19Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight.
    2005-03-20Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3-
    2005-12-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD15-4- Model got up in a hurry!
    2006-02-25Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD15-4- Model wandered about the sky, looking for a target lock, I guess. Good thing it happened at...
    2006-04-08Eldred Pickett's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5-
    2006-04-29Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD15-4- Good motor for this model.
    2006-05-26Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- First flight ... a slight spin on flight , both pieces landed within 20 feet of each other
    2006-06-04Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- nice flight
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- motor seemed underpowered with a very long delay but no damage
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderB6-4- underpowered , ejected 20 feet from ground , no damage
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Finally a perfect flight
    2006-06-26Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Slight spin, good flight
    2006-06-27Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Great flight
    2006-07-23Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Slight spin , perfect recovery
    2006-09-10Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Perfect flight
    2006-10-02Richie Brunjes's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Another nice flight
    2006-12-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD15-4- Nice high boost and safe recovery.
    2007-01-21Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD15-4-
    2007-04-14Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD15-4-
    2007-05-06Matt Gillard's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Good flight with a fair bit of roll. Ejection stripped the shock cord mount and the body tube did...
    2007-06-09Edward Chess's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-3- Arrow straight flight with a little wiggle at the end. A good motor/delay combo for this rocket.
    2007-07-21Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight.
    2007-07-22Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD15-4- Model took off with the wind. Had a bit of a walk to retrieve it.
    2007-11-18Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderE11-3- Model wandered about the sky, but still gained a fair bit of altitude. Pretty cool flight.
    2007-11-18Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight. Very stable on boost.
    2007-12-22Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight.
    2008-02-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight.
    2008-03-22Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Good flight.
    2009-01-25Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD15-4- Good flight.
    2009-04-19Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Great flight.
    2009-08-22Edward Chess's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Arrow straight boost, delay a bit too long.
    2009-08-22Edward Chess's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderC6-5- Squirrely take off this time, but recovered safely. Did not get all the altitude due to odd...
    2009-11-21Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Good flight
    2010-01-16Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3-
    2010-02-20Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Good flight.
    2010-05-08Bob Bernatchez's Estes AIM-9 SidewinderD12-3- Model veered off to the south, into the barley field. Nose section was lost. Will have to...

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