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Estes - Big Daddy (2162) [1998-]

Manufacturer:Estes
Diameter:3.0000 inches
Skill Level:2
Style:Sport

Contributed by Tony Turley

Estes - Big Wild Daddy (aka Big Daddy)
(Contributed - by Tony Turley - 07/16/99) 

Rocket PicThe Estes Big Daddy first caught my eye hanging on the rack at WV Hobbies in the fall of 1998. It looked to me to be a good candidate for conversion to 29mm power, so I put it on my Christmas list. My request was granted, and away I went.

My first decision was to evaluate the kit parts to see what I would need for the conversion. I ended up keeping only the fins, body tube, nose cone, and main decals. I ordered a LOC 29mm stuffer tube from Magnum, and using fly cutters in my drill press, I made new centering rings from 1/8" birch ply. The motor retaining rods are 4/40 threaded rods, on opposite sides of the stuffer tube. I used a small round file to cut notches in the centering rings for the threaded rods, then everything was epoxied together and set aside to dry. A special note here is that I used the fins to position the centering rings, as I wanted the fin tabs to be a snug fit between the fore and aft rings. Although Dark Star motors have a lip on them, and many people use masking tape to make a thrust ring on other 29mm motors, I also glued a motor ring on the inside of the stuffer tube, just to be sure.

I glued the motor assembly in place using the fins for alignment. I cut 3/32" off the edge of each fin tab to get a tight fit against the body and stuffer tubes. Before gluing the fins in place, I saturated each one with thin CA, and let them set overnight before sanding them to remove the raised grain. I glued the fins in place with Pica Gluit - at which point, I hear you all gasping. Pica claims Gluit is stronger than epoxy ("Yeah, right!!" you say.) Gluit is thinner than epoxy, and wicks into wood grain and paper very well. I have complete confidence in its strength. But don't worry - I filleted each fin and centering ring with epoxy after the Gluit dried.

Launch PicThe entire rocket (except the NC, of course) was covered with .75 ounce glass cloth. A light mist of 3M 77 was used to hold the cloth in place, and Gluit was rubbed generously through the weave. An important thing to point out here is that I ALWAYS sand body tubes to remove the glassine covering; this helps the glue get into the fibers of the body tube better. Each set of ribs was covered with a single piece of glass cloth: from the tip of the rib, down across the fillets and body tube, and up to the tip of the adjacent rib. The top of the BT was covered with a single wrap of fiberglass. Gluit also sands well, without gumming, which left a smooth finish for the primer. I glued 1/4" launch lugs into one of the fin joints, and filleted them with epoxy and microballoons. After the minor imperfections that the primer revealed were filled and sanded, the entire rocket was painted with Krylon Hamm-r Tough Hunter Green, which gave a nice hammered metal finish. I also had several sets of Estes Wildfire decals, and I sliced these apart to create what I feel is a striking color scheme.

I added 3+ ounces of clay in the nose cone, held in place with another couple ounces of epoxy. The shock cord mount is a 3/16" eye bolt held in place by two nuts epoxied to either side of the top centering ring, and the shock cord is attached by a heavy-duty Swivel Eye Spring Snap from K-Mart's hardware section. Recovery is by a bright orange 30" Top Flite X-Form chute from Magnum.

Empty weight of the rocket is 17 ounces, and as those of you who were at the June 12 launch can attest, Big Wild Daddy gets airborne in a hurry on either an F62 Dark Star or G35 Econojet. I look forward to future such conversions - can you see a Big Bertha flying on Aerotech D21's?

    Flight Log

    DateRocket NameMotor(s)AltitudeNotes
    1969-12-31Russell Taragan's Estes Big DaddyE30-7- Two launches on this fast motor, nice speed and altitude. The shock cord should be extended for...
    1969-12-31Russell Taragan's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- First flight, nice and low (one of my first D motors). At ejection, the upper ring and nose cone...
    1969-12-31Russell Taragan's Estes Big DaddyF39-6- Two flights on this fast and powerful motor, flights similar to E30T-7, but a bit faster.
    1969-12-31Russell Taragan's Estes Big DaddyF12-5- Several flights on this slow motor. Nice and slow during liftoff, a gracefull climb and a good...
    1999-01-17Dave Hanson's Estes Big DaddyD12-5-
    1999-04-17Dave Hanson's Estes Big DaddyE15-7- The Big Daddy gets about 1500 ft. on the E15
    1999-05-16Bob Kaplow's Estes Big DaddyD12-3-
    1999-06-20Bob Kaplow's Estes Big DaddyD12-3-
    1999-07-11Ron Watkins's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Good flight-predicted altitude-540 ft. -slight drift on recovery.
    1999-08-21Dave Hanson's Estes Big DaddyE15-7-
    1999-08-22Bob Kaplow's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- no roll at all!
    1999-09-05Bob Kaplow's Estes Big DaddyE28-7- prang cone didn't eject - totalled
    1999-09-05Dave Hanson's Estes Big DaddyD12-5-
    1999-09-18Dick Stafford's Estes Big DaddyE15-7- nice flight, needs longer shock cord, slight crunch/deformation of top end of BT
    1999-10-23Dave Hanson's Estes Big DaddyE15-7-
    1999-12-18Paul Smith's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Perfect little flight.
    1999-12-19Paul Smith's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Another perfect flight.
    2000-01-07MikeyR's Estes Big DaddyD15-4- 18 parachute Nice fast boost. Good flight.
    2000-01-15Charlie Kazmir's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- first launch made on D12-3,ejection was perfect,altitude at least 400+'
    2000-02-06MikeyR's Estes Big DaddyF12-3- 18 parachute Very nice with a close landing. Loud.
    2000-02-06MikeyR's Estes Big DaddyE18-4- 18 parachute Very nice. Fast boost.
    2000-02-12Rick Vatsaas's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- First Flight in Snow Storm Awesome!! Launched on Frozen Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, MN
    2000-03-04Randy Ashley's Estes Big DaddyD12- Rocket Appeared to be on the verge of being unstable. I will add more nose weight before the next...
    2000-03-05Randy Ashley's Estes Big DaddyG55- Delay very long. This motor was intended for Mach Buster with long delay. Still recovered with no...
    2000-03-05Randy Ashley's Estes Big DaddyF72- Wow, more like it. It got way up there and quick. Glad I glassed the fins.
    2000-03-05Randy Ashley's Estes Big DaddyE15- Now rocket is too heavy, I need more motor. Giver all you got Scotty.
    2000-03-05Rick Vatsaas's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect vertical ascent No wind meant easy recovery
    2000-03-11Randy Ashley's Estes Big DaddyG55- Delay closer with the straighter launch angle I used today. After the last launch I cut the base...
    2000-03-12Randy Ashley's Estes Big DaddyF72- Once again nice flight. Very consistent flyer. This time changed chute out with a piece of Garbage...
    2000-04-22Rick Vatsaas's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Minor weathercock MASA Club Launch at Blaine, MN
    2000-05-21Frank Ross's Estes Big DaddyF40-7- Nylon chute tangled, came down fast and hard on a rock. Cracked nose cone, crushed airframe, broke...
    2000-05-28Rick Vatsaas's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect Flight, floated gently to ground under no winds. Lake Francis, MN
    2000-06-24Rick Vatsaas's Estes Big DaddyE15-7- Excellent Ascent Burned through shock Cord. Fuselage survived 1300 foot drop, narrowly missed...
    2000-07-04Rick Vatsaas's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect FlightCokato, MN
    2000-07-22Rick Vatsaas's Estes Big DaddyE15-7- Awesome flight on e15-7, Straight up
    2000-08-15Jeff Skinner's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Great liftoff. Even better lawn dart. I didn't see or hear any ejection charge. I think it was a...
    2000-09-09Kevin Johnson's Estes Big DaddyF39-9- Stretched Big Daddy with a strobe and siren from a personal alarm. Should have used a much shorter...
    2000-10-19Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-3350 feet Good flight up to about 350 feet with slight spin, long drift on recovery.
    2000-12-23EMRR's Estes Big DaddyE28-7- Was still going up, but not too much left. Nice first flight and recovery. Straight as an arrow...
    2001-02-06Jim Michaelis's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Built stock, Nice straight boost, good deployment, landed 100 ft. down range. Great rocket!!
    2001-04-02Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Rocket arched into the wind. Flew over highway. Luckily parachute ejected and rocket returned to...
    2001-04-13Steve Terrell's Estes Big DaddyC6-3- Wanted to see if the Big Daddy could fly on a C, and it did! Really SLOW takeoff and flight. Only...
    2001-04-29Bill Eichelberger's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Winds were non-existent at launch, but picked up just as rocket reached apogee. Rocket drifted...
    2001-05-12Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Flew in a drag race with another Big Daddy. Lost the race. Still had a perfect flight and recovery.
    2001-05-30Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Flew perfectly straight. Used smaller 18 inch chute. Came down a little fast but sustained no...
    2001-06-02Ken Kirkland's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- First ever D engine flight. This is one great rocket. Awesome flight - fused 'chute. Figured the...
    2001-06-06Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Excellent routine flight.
    2001-06-09Dick Stafford's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- good flight!
    2001-06-10Ken Kirkland's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- 300 yard hike to pick this ride up.
    2001-06-10Ken Kirkland's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Nice straight flight.
    2001-06-11Ken Kirkland's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Slow, lazy arcing flight. (Pretty, really.) First time the 'chute fully deployed. Landed in a...
    2001-07-03EMRR's Estes Big DaddyE11-5- This was a good flight and recovery
    2001-07-03EMRR's Estes Big DaddyE18-5- Excellent roar on this motor, but it came off the pad the wrong direction and then I thought it...
    2001-07-04Ken Kirkland's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- 18 deg angle into the wind. Rocket rose a bit higher... went a bit farther. 100 yards to recover.
    2001-07-14Dick Stafford's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- great flight
    2001-07-14Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Very nice flight totalling 7 to date. Long drift but good recovery.
    2001-07-22Bill Eichelberger's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Part of a 3 Daddy drag race. They took off simultaneously and crossed paths at about the 100'...
    2001-07-28MikeyR's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Something happened to the ejection. Didn't happen, actually. Impacted on road, totalled the rocket.
    2001-08-10EMRR's Estes Big DaddyF39-9- Awesome launch and equally awesome landing, destroying the rocket! Ejection charge had gone off,...
    2001-08-14Jim Michaelis's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Less wind, Nice straight boost and better altitude. Great rocket!! Perfect deployment and...
    2001-09-02Bill Eichelberger's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- A Big Daddy lawn dart that all but destroyed the top of the body tube and nose cone. There never...
    2001-10-13Dick Stafford's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- good flight
    2001-11-04John Storey's Estes Big DaddyF40-4- great motor for this rocket. Fins and body glassed with 2.3 oz.
    2001-11-10David Logan's Estes Big DaddyD12-5-
    2002-02-23David Logan's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Flew surprisingly straight considering the winds. Picture perfect flight.
    2002-05-10Jason Vennard's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Another great flight, works well with either 3 or 5 second delay. No problems. 18 nylon chute.
    2002-05-10Jason Vennard's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Great looking rocket and great flight. Nice boost, 18 nylon chute, no problems.
    2002-05-18Chris Hickins's Estes Big Daddy2xE28-5- Flight was perfect. First shot using composit motors.
    2002-05-20Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Nice flight and recovery. No damage.
    2002-05-27Ken Kirkland's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Waffled between a 3 and 5 second delay went 5, should have gone 3, I think. Turned hard into the...
    2002-06-16George Dean's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Flew the 'Daddy for Father's Day. Turned hard into the wind (glad I chose a short delay!). Good...
    2002-07-27Jason Vennard's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Great flight, as usual, however motor did not eject nose cone, rocket turned around and plowed...
    2002-08-28John Rowan-Stern's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Nice flight although a little hairy. Weathercocked (which is unusual for this bird) and landed...
    2002-08-28John Rowan-Stern's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- Nice Flight. Used 20 nylon cross chute that worked like a charm. No damage on recovery.
    2002-09-18John Rowan-Stern's Estes Big DaddyC11-5- Arced over and augered in to ground. Perfect upside-down-in-ground ejection. Although rocket seems...
    2002-11-16Eric Ellington's Estes Big DaddyE11-3- Built stock with wood glue. 18 chute. First Fire Jr ignitor. Quick ignition. Nice boost. Delay...
    2002-11-17Stephen Corban's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Part of a drag race
    2002-11-17Stephen Corban's Estes Big DaddyE15-7- Another round of bonus dealys, I counted 9
    2002-11-17Eric Ellington's Estes Big DaddyF39-6- Aerotech says 6 sec delay. NAR says 3. Believe NAR on this one. Shredded the chute. Otherwise no...
    2002-11-17Eric Ellington's Estes Big DaddyE11-3- Using 18 in. chute and First Fire Jr ignitors. Quick ignition and great boost. Delay seems more...
    2002-12-08Iain Banks's Estes Big Daddy4xD12-5- Excellent maiden flight. Nice slow launch with all four engines providing lots of flame and smoke....
    2003-02-23Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Rocket arced over after liftoff. A friend of mine managed to catch the rocket before touchdown.
    2003-03-08Matt Vennard's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Second flight. Another good boost, no cock this time, and floated a bit farther than I would like....
    2003-03-29James Reyome's Estes Big DaddyE9-8- Big Daddy was a Christmas gift that just now got to fly for the first time. Nice flight, though...
    2003-04-12Bill Dreyling's Estes Big DaddyE28-7- Good, straight flight even with 10 ~ 15 mph winds. 18 inch 'chute was a bit small and landed hard...
    2003-04-13Matt Vennard's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Good kick off the pad. Chute deployed, but didn't fully open, and landed a bit hard. No real...
    2003-04-26Jason Vennard's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Maiden flight on this our 2nd Big Daddy. Built completely stock except for E motor mount....
    2003-04-27Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Very nice flight, the straightest flight I've had with this rocket in awhile. No damage.
    2003-05-10Bill Dreyling's Estes Big DaddyE28-7- Good flight up into a light wind. I got a bonus on the delay time, as the 'chute deployement...
    2003-05-17Jason Vennard's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Great motor combo for this one, again another great flight and recovery, nice long burn. 15 nylon...
    2003-05-19Jon Ferrara's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- very good flight and i did it 2 more because i liked it so much next time i plan to send it up on...
    2003-05-31James Reyome's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Another perfect flight, except that this was the flight on which the Top Flight firewall burned...
    2003-07-05Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Very nice flight, chute stripped a few lines, rocket came down tumbling. No damage to the rocket...
    2003-07-28Luke -'s Estes Big DaddyC11-5- First Flight, bit heavier than most at 7.4 oz. with extra paint. Nice lift-off and straight...
    2003-08-03Scott Lyter's Estes Big DaddyE9-8- Flew with E9-8 with onboard wireless color video camera. I like the late ejection (scary!) as...
    2003-08-09James Reyome's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Yet another perfect flight for Big Blue Daddy. To prevent the scorching of the nomex heat shield...
    2003-09-27Paul Paul's Estes Big DaddyG79-91500 feet 38mm/carbon fibre tube and fins/6oz s-glass tube and finsToo much ejection charge-ripped plastic...
    2003-10-11Kevin Timmins's Estes Big DaddyD12-7- Nose cone jammed, a spacktacular lawn dart. buried itself 5 inches into turf. BT totally shredded
    2003-10-25James Reyome's Estes Big DaddyE9-8- Actually made it off the rod this time, and flew as magnificently as it always seems to on an E9....
    2003-12-08Alex Kowaleski's Estes Big DaddyE9-8- An impressive twilight flight. I feared that the delay would be too long, but it appeared shorter...
    2004-01-10Karl Houghton's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Ejection burnt through shockcord , nosecone drifted off about 200ft under 24 'chute.BT came down...
    2004-04-17Mike Kimbler's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Great flight!
    2004-04-17Philip Levanda's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- This rocket flies perfect on D12-3. Watch the shock cord tied to the centering ring. Get some...
    2004-04-17Philip Levanda's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Flew perfect curved a little in the wind came down 100 feet from the pad.
    2004-06-06Dick Stafford's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- low but good
    2004-06-06Dick Stafford's Estes Big DaddyD12-7- a bit late but a good flight
    2004-06-08Donald Besaw's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Very nice straight flight up to about 550-600 feet. Recovered very nicely on a Rockethead Rocket...
    2004-06-19Jason Vennard's Estes Big DaddyF21-6- Completely stock build other than longer motor mount, nice quick boost off the pad, a bit of an...
    2004-06-26David Logan's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Recovered 100 feet from pads using a 14 inch chute. Good flight
    2004-06-27David Logan's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Another good flight and recovery using a 14 inch chute.
    2004-07-01Brian Riendeau's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- This was the first flight for this rocket. The boost was awesome, the delay was perfect, the nylon...
    2004-07-04Bryan Penfold's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Maiden flight to about 850 feet. Landed 50 feet from the pad, no damage.
    2004-07-20Frank DiMatteo's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- The nose cone got stuck and the parachute never came out. It crashed and I could not fix it.
    2004-08-07William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Great flight and recovery.
    2004-08-21Keenan Cox's Estes Big DaddyF12-5- Nice flight. Flew to about 1100 feet. Some weathercocking.
    2004-08-28Keenan Cox's Estes Big DaddyF24-4- Great flight. Flew to about 1500 feet. Some weathercocking.
    2004-09-11Mark Van+Luvender's Estes Big DaddyE18-4- Great flight! Parachute fouled, cracked fillet, but easily repaired. Time for an RMS F!
    2004-09-18Keenan Cox's Estes Big DaddyF24-4- Nice flight. Flew to about 1900 feet.
    2004-09-18Keenan Cox's Estes Big DaddyF24-4- Great flight. Flew very straight. Very fast. Loud whistle. Flew to about 1800 feet.
    2004-09-25Keenan Cox's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- First D motor flight on this rocket. Flew about 300 feet.
    2004-10-08William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Great flight and recovery.
    2004-10-10Bryan Penfold's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Nice flight to about 900 feet. Landed about 50 feet from the pad, cracked fin.
    2004-10-16Robert Davis's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Shoved an E-9 into the back of the Big Daddy and rigged a retainer ring out of tape around the...
    2004-10-16Robert Davis's Estes Big DaddyD12-7- My son received the rocket already assembled from a friend, so not sure of the build. Delay was...
    2004-10-16Robert Davis's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- 3 second delay is the way to go. Chute opened fine and rocket looked great. Very happy child.
    2004-11-07William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Great flight and recovery.
    2004-11-13Robert Davis's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Nice lift-off. Heard the ejection charge, but nose cone stayed in rocket. Perfect aerodynamics...
    2004-11-20Clive Davis's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- This motor is just too weak for this rocket, but my co-workers' children were watching and...
    2004-12-04Chan Stevens's Estes Big DaddyE9-6-
    2004-12-11Keenan Cox's Estes Big DaddyF24-4- Good flight. Ejection charge after it hit the ground. I'm still not sure what happened. Completely...
    2004-12-13Robert Davis's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Nice slow lift-off from the pad. Went up to maybe 300'. Chute failed to open completely, but...
    2004-12-13Robert Davis's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Another slow lift-off. Chute opened fine this time.
    2005-01-15Robert Davis's Estes Big DaddyE30-7- Flew to around 1000'. Would have gone a little higher, but ejection was early. 10 seconds would...
    2005-01-15William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect flight and recovery.
    2005-02-05Alan Tuskes's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect flight. Slight weather-cock into the wind allowed it to be recovered about 50 feet from...
    2005-02-26Chris Guidry's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Another perfect flight for this reliable bird.
    2005-03-05Aaron Stanley's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Wow went higher then I thought it would good because my Big Daddy weighs 8oz perfect flight and...
    2005-03-19Robert Davis's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Nice slow lift-off to no more than 300'. Scary decent with the late delay, thought it was going...
    2005-04-03Andrew Grippo's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Good flight and recovery but not a lot of height with this motor. Begging for an Estes E motor or...
    2005-04-16William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Rocket crashed due to late delay. Body tube needs to be repaired.
    2005-05-21Alan Tuskes's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- Not being content with the weak ejection of the previous flight, I push my luck and try another...
    2005-05-21Alan Tuskes's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- Very weak ejection charge. I fart harder than this thing ejected. Chute was barely pulled ut but...
    2005-05-28Chris Guidry's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Nice flight (again) on this work horse
    2005-06-25Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- First Flight and the D motor puts it up there nicely.
    2005-07-30Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3-
    2005-07-30Philip Levanda's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Sweet straight flight
    2005-08-06Jason Lenentine's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Chute slightly melted so it didn't completely unfurl. Was more like a streamer. Got lucky...
    2005-08-06Jason Lenentine's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- First flight for this rocket. Perfect flight.
    2005-08-27Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Angled rod into wind but still had considerable drift on descent, nearly ended up in trees but...
    2005-08-27Andrew Grippo's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Great flight. This rocket took off and flew like it was on a rail. Good delay popped the chute...
    2005-10-01David Logan's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Low flight, seemed to be struggling for altitude. Recovered close by with a 14 inch nylon chute.
    2005-10-29Chris Guidry's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Nice flight
    2005-11-12Richard Irwin's Estes Big DaddyF40-7- Slow ascent off of standard rail, arched over, no event. Great lawn dart!
    2005-12-23Jason Lenentine's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Perfect flight after the lawn dart.
    2005-12-23Jason Lenentine's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Another super flight. Fourth of the day for this one.
    2005-12-23Jason Lenentine's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- This one lawn darted into clay. Fortunately the clay was soft. No damage to nose. Slight...
    2005-12-23Jason Lenentine's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect flight.
    2005-12-29David Allen's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Very good motor for this rocket. Straight boost with very little weather-cocking even with the...
    2005-12-29David Allen's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- EXCELLENT first motor for this rocket. Laser straight boost and perfect deployment.
    2006-01-07Andrew Grippo's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Good flight and motor - delay combination. No damage to rocket after recovery.
    2006-01-08Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Apogee in low cloud, couldn't see. Usually 1-2 seconds late on this motor because of additional...
    2006-01-08Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Apogee in low cloud, couldn't see. Usually 1-2 seconds late on this motor because of additional...
    2006-01-15Dave Brunsting's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- Great motor for this bird.
    2006-01-15Dave Brunsting's Estes Big DaddyC11-3-
    2006-02-26Dave Brunsting's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Once again I was cursed with a low-powered ejection charge and this time it shredded on impact...
    2006-03-25Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3-
    2006-03-26Tim Dicke's Estes Big Daddy2xC6-7+E9-6- Very quick flight. The E9-6 ejected last making a nice fireball when the rocket was under chute. ...
    2006-04-02Richie Brunjes's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Just past sunset , huge flame way up into the twilight sky. Recovered safely after a long walk ....
    2006-04-02Richie Brunjes's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- I like the 5 sec delay better than the 3 in this rocket
    2006-04-09Richie Brunjes's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Perfect flight
    2006-04-09Tim Dicke's Estes Big DaddyE9-6+2xC6-7- Got 'em all. Weathercocked a bit. Used my new homemade 14 nylon chute. Very nice recovery for...
    2006-04-22Dave Brunsting's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Not sure why this ejected so late but it's a good thing I added all that extra shock cord.
    2006-04-24Richie Brunjes's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Great flight , slight tangle in chute , no damage
    2006-05-07George Beever's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Weathercocked
    2006-05-14Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyF12-5- Yee Haw! Great motor for this rocket! First flight on my new 24mm Rousetech casing!
    2006-05-14Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyE9-4-
    2006-05-20Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Parachute did not fully deploy and rocket bounced upon landing, but due to sturdy construction had...
    2006-05-27Tim Dicke's Estes Big DaddyE18-7- Another nice boost. Ejected a little early too. Broke a shroud line on the parachute. Recovered...
    2006-05-27Chris Guidry's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Another pretty flight for the work horse rocket
    2006-05-28Mark Van+Luvender's Estes Big DaddyE18-4- This rocket loves this motor. Ejection just a bit early, but livable. Landed next to the road.
    2006-06-03Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyF12-5-
    2006-06-04Richie Brunjes's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Landed in the river and floated away. I followed it downstream for a while , then it went into...
    2006-06-24Jason Lenentine's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Perfect flight.
    2006-06-24Jason Lenentine's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Lawn darted again. Oops. Will have to rework the body tube to repair. It will fly again though!
    2006-06-24Chris Guidry's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Very high flight
    2006-06-24Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Good flight but parachute was destroyed.
    2006-07-04Joe Cacciatore's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Winds change and it started to rain during launch, aimmed to the west, went to the east. Lands...
    2006-07-04Joe Cacciatore's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Good flight although rocket didn't go where aimed, went about 800' and lands on blacktop, no...
    2006-07-04Joe Cacciatore's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- Great first flight on a C11, lands in tall grass close to a stream.
    2006-07-08Tim Dicke's Estes Big DaddyE9-6+2xC6-7- One of the fins took a bit of a ding when it landed on one of the asphalt park roads. Lit all...
    2006-07-08Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyF12-5-
    2006-07-08Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyE9-4-
    2006-07-15Warren Evans's Estes Big DaddyF23-7- another great flight
    2006-07-15Warren Evans's Estes Big DaddyF20-7- 29mm upgrade is great for this Rocket
    2006-07-16Joe Cacciatore's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Nice, long boost on an E9. Lands in tall grass by swamp but was able to recover.
    2006-07-16Joe Cacciatore's Estes Big DaddyD12-7- Seven second delay worked good, lands OK.
    2006-07-16Joe Cacciatore's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Seems to go almost as high as with an E9. Lands at edge of tall grass.
    2006-07-16Joe Cacciatore's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- Nice, low flight on a C11.
    2006-07-25Richard Irwin's Estes Big DaddyG80-10- Super fast and high! Long and far recovery. No damage.
    2006-07-27Richard Irwin's Estes Big DaddyF23-4- First flight after lawn dart repair. Great flight! No damage.
    2006-07-29Chris Guidry's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- High flight drifted in wind. Landed in road standing up.
    2006-07-29Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Great flight as usual from the Big Daddy, always a crowd pleaser.
    2006-07-29Andrew Grippo's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- A fun flight that boosted great and stuck the landing right on the road.
    2006-07-30Andrew Netrunner's Estes Big DaddyE9-8- WOW! turned into a cruise missle 250 ft up...don't know what happened there..ejected at about...
    2006-07-30Andrew Netrunner's Estes Big DaddyE9-8- Great flight ass before on this day...but 8 sec delay to long....6 was perfect... still good...
    2006-07-30Andrew Netrunner's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Love this rocket! One of my fav mid-power rocket kits just because of it's size...3 dia. anyway...
    2006-07-30Joe Cacciatore's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- Nice, short flight, lands close.
    2006-08-08Frank Broughton's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- Woe! Wind cocked very badly. Very late ejection. No damage, just to my ego - had 100 plus people...
    2006-08-26Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyF12-5-
    2006-09-10Chan Stevens's Estes Big DaddyD12-3-
    2006-10-02Ed Scientist's Estes Big DaddyC6-3- Arced over and didnt get more than 50 feet before going horizontal. Ejected about 10 feet off the...
    2006-10-06Richard Irwin's Estes Big DaddyF39-6- Another fast flight. No damage. This is a super fun rocket.
    2006-10-22Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect flight, didn't drift as far off as I feared it would.
    2006-11-18Donald Laskey's Estes Big DaddyD12-3-
    2006-11-25Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Shroud lines burned through on ejection, ejecting the still rolled up chute, rocket hit the ground...
    2006-12-08Richard Irwin's Estes Big DaddyE30-4- Good flight, although it weathercocked quite a bit. No damage. This rocket is quite the crowd...
    2006-12-30Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Drifted a bit under that big 24 chute even in calm conditions but a great flight.
    2007-01-14Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyE30-4-
    2007-02-10William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Parabolic flight but recovered perfectly.
    2007-02-10William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Perfect flight and recovery.
    2007-03-31Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Nice straight boost, good recovery.
    2007-04-21Donald Laskey's Estes Big DaddyE12-3- WOW
    2007-04-22Tim Dicke's Estes Big DaddyE9-6+2xC6-7-
    2007-05-12William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Good flight.
    2007-05-27Zane Brant's Estes Big DaddyB6-M300 feet good short flight, but no ejection.whent strate down; stuck in ground about 3 inchs!Crushed body...
    2007-06-02Andrew Grippo's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Rod whip sent the rocket on horizontal flight fifty feet off the ground. Plastic chute stripped...
    2007-06-08Dick Stafford's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- good flight
    2007-06-09William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Perfect flight and recovery.
    2007-06-10Sandy Houston's Estes Big DaddyE28-4- Good motor for this rocket. Ejected just before, but no damage.
    2007-06-10Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyF12-M-
    2007-06-30Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Used a Nomex chute protector for the first time, performed well and saves you a bunch on wadding...
    2007-07-22 Steve Lindeman's Big DaddyD12-5- Opted for a D engine because of wind. Nice straight flight with parachute deploying just after...
    2007-07-28Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Nice flight but on descent came close to being eaten by a tree, missed it by not much.
    2007-07-28Dwayne Shmel's Big Daddy - Lunar Theme (RETIRED)E9-4- Slight weathercock into the wind. Very stable flight with nice ejection. No damage.
    2007-08-05Dwayne Shmel's Big Daddy - Lunar Theme (RETIRED)D12-5- Shroud lines shredded during deployment. Rocket came down fast and hard. I managed to catch it -...
    2007-08-12Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyF12-5-
    2007-09-01William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Perfect flight and recovery.
    2007-10-21Tim Dicke's Estes Big Daddy2xC6-7/E9-6- 1 of the 2x C6-7's did not light most likely due to an ignitor failure. Off axis thrust caused an...
    2008-01-12Aaron Stanley's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect Flite.
    2008-02-01Natalie Ryan's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Perfect flight
    2008-02-09Natalie Ryan's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Into the wind about 15 degrees. Landed 50 feet from pad - perfect!
    2008-02-09Natalie Ryan's Estes Big DaddyF37-6- Sweet flight on an F37. Even going into the wind and using a reefed chute, I still had a 1/2 mile...
    2008-02-23Natalie Ryan's Estes Big DaddyE28-7- Ejection s little late, but no damage.
    2008-02-23Andrew Grippo's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Nominal Flight
    2008-03-02Natalie Ryan's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- ol' reliable flies again. reefed chute down to 12. Fast recovery into tall grass. No damage at...
    2008-03-08William Beggs's Estes Big DaddyE9-4- Great flight. No damage.
    2008-03-22Natalie Ryan's Estes Big DaddyF24-6- Another beautiful flight!
    2008-04-19Ron McFerren's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Wow, did this thing weathercock! If it hit 150 feet I would be surprised. Almost horizontal before...
    2008-05-24Todd Mullin's Estes Big DaddyE18-4-
    2008-06-28Tom Benson's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Maiden flight. Slow, noisy, fun.
    2008-06-28Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- A bit of an arc to the boost, but nice flight and recovery overall.
    2008-08-23Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Major failure at ejection. Must have had something go wrong with my chute packing as it lawn...
    2008-09-20Dick Stafford's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Lucky flight #13, lawn dart, dead. Oddly enough the next flight was Jim Filler's nicely finished...
    2008-11-23John Bergsmith's Estes Big DaddyE28-4- Straight fast boost, this is way the Big Daddy should fly. Ejected just before, but recovered with...
    2008-11-23John Bergsmith's Estes Big DaddyE28-4- Another straight boost, leaves the pad in a hurry. Awesome motor for this rocket.
    2009-01-11 Leigh Metzroth's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Went up nice and straight. Late ejection shredded the chute, then came down not particularly hard...
    2009-03-28 Duane Boldt's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- The Big Daddy's are fun on these motors.
    2009-04-04Aaron Stanley's Estes Big DaddyE30-7- A great flight on an E30.
    2009-06-05Michael Emerick's Estes Big DaddyE9-6-
    2009-06-26Matt Gillard's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- great straight boost, then drifted into tree!
    2009-06-26Matt Gillard's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- arched boost, good flight.
    2009-07-25Andrew Grippo's Estes Big DaddyE9-6-
    2009-09-12Mike Armstrong's Estes Big DaddyD12-3300 feet First flight. Good launch and flight. Ejection charge burned shroud lines but parachute acted as...
    2009-09-13Chris Fisher's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Perfect first flight. Weather cocked as expected so height not great, but otherwise flew ok.
    2009-09-19 Moe Bertrand's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Guest flying with CMASS at Amesbury, MA. My first ever Big Daddy, bought from Boris Katan, built...
    2009-09-19 Moe Bertrand's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- 2nd flight of Big Daddy. C11-3 just not enough power in the breeze we were flying in. Arched over...
    2009-09-19 Moe Bertrand's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Great third flight of my bandaged Big Daddy after the crushing impact of the previous flight. ...
    2009-09-19 Moe Bertrand's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- 4th n final flight of Big Daddy for today. Great boost in the Amesbury breeze. Stuck the landing...
    2009-10-10Mark Grisco's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- motot burnt through the side of itself and the motor mount and the body tube!!!!!! it did not...
    2009-11-18Monyt Ym..E's Estes Big DaddyC6-52758 feet it ejected 2 feet above the ground
    2009-12-13 Leigh Metzroth's Estes Big DaddyE9-4-
    2010-03-20Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Repairs made after it crashed last flight worked and the Big Daddy flew nicely. Small hole burned...
    2010-03-21Philip Levanda's Estes Big DaddyC11-5- Got it off the pad to about 100 feet. The delay was decent for this rocket.
    2010-03-21Philip Levanda's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- Beautiful CATO right at the pad. Hovered like a lunar lander about 5 feet off the ground for a...
    2010-05-02Philip Levanda's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- 3 second delay would have been better.
    2010-05-30Jeff Ybarra's Estes Big DaddyF24-4-
    2010-05-31 Dale Marshall's Estes Big DaddyE9-4691 feet This was a fun rocket to build, and even better to fly. Great rocket. I didn't put enough...
    2010-06-12Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Rod angled into the wind. Nice loud roar off the pad and away at about 40 deg. off vertical,...
    2010-08-15Dale Marshall's Estes Big DaddyE9-3- Arced severely into the wind but was perfect otherwise. Cracked fin somehow - caught it before it...
    2010-09-18vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyE9-3- NAother beautiful flight but this time with the Estes E motor. The model's size makes for a really...
    2010-09-18 vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- perfect launch. This is a great model to fly. very stable. parachute scorched and suffered small...
    2010-10-08Mark Grisco's Estes Big DaddyC11-3- low flight on a c-11.
    2010-10-08Mark Grisco's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- goes well on a d-12. replaced stock chute with 16 nylon, works well
    2010-10-10Matt Gillard's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- great flight
    2010-11-20 vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyE9-3- My favorite flying rocket. The model remains visible under the b plume of an E9. Stable and...
    2010-12-04 vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyE9-6- Big Daddy is a crowd pleaser. Model flies consistently and stable. I started using the nomex...
    2011-01-15vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyE9-6697 feet Overcast, ~40 degrees and a gusty up to 12mph W-NW prevailing wind. A very cold day. nice ...
    2011-03-12Jeffrey Gortatowsky's Bigger Daddy2xC11-3- Great flight. C11's kept it close. Wind dragged it a bit on the ground. Busted again, the same fin...
    2011-03-26vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyE9-6653 feet Perfect flight as usual. The orange NOMEX blanket didn't deploy again and remained in side and...
    2011-03-27Edward Chess's Der Grosser VatiD12-3- Maiden flight. Good fight, parachute deployed at apogee (good delay for this engine). No damage...
    2011-04-02vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyE9-6635 feet Excellent flight; beautufl recovery; very windy conditions; New parachute design very smooth GREAT...
    2011-04-03vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyE9448 feet weight 10.7oz.;Custome designed chure 22"1"spill; good flight nervous deployment close to ground....
    2011-04-10Matt Gillard's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- A good flight.
    2011-05-07Edward Chess's Der Grosser VatiC11-3- Slow lift-off, not much altitude, just past apogee
    2011-05-30Ken Tsai's Estes Big DaddyE23-7-
    2011-06-04Edward Chess's Der Grosser VatiC11-3- Motor a little underpowered. Good flight and recovery. Chute just past apogee.
    2011-06-15Matt Gillard's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Great flight
    2011-07-02Dwayne Shmel's Big Daddy - USD Themee (SEMI RETIRED)D15-4- 2 round parachutes, no spill holes.
    2011-07-16vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyF24-7W- first flight on RMS; Awesome flight; good chute, drifted a ways; compare to chute on maiden Mustang
    2011-07-18Paul Nortness's SLUF (Short Little Ugly Fella)D12-3350 feet Rocket boosted nicely on an early morning launch. Great looking launch, can't wait to try a E30!
    2011-07-23Glenn Weiss's Estes Big DaddyD12-3- Good boost, chute did not deploy but no damage
    2011-07-28 Bill Eichelberger's Der Grosser VatiE9-6- Beautiful first flight for this Big Daddy with an Excelsior decal. Overflew the competition range...
    2011-08-07vincent penoso's Estes Big DaddyE9-4667 feet rainy, overcast. little or no wind. great flight
    2011-09-03George Beever's Estes Big DaddyEstes D12-5- Good Flight.
    2011-09-03George Beever's Estes Big DaddyEstes D12-5- Good flight.
    2011-09-10Edward Chess's Der Grosser VatiD12-3- Good flight, at apogee, no damage, with on-board Booster-cam video
    2011-09-13Paul Nortness's SLUF (Short Little Ugly Fella)D12-5375 feet Good flight, SLUF comes off the pad nice and slow and loud. Had a scary moment just after apogee...
    2011-09-26Matt Gillard's Estes Big DaddyD12-5- perfect straight flight
    2011-10-02Dave B's RTillaryD12-5700-800' feet Cool to watch this thing lift off. Nice deployment at apogee and not a bad recovery despite...
    2011-10-17Paul Nortness's SLUF (Short Little Ugly Fella)D12-5300 feet Perfect flight on an entirely unexpected sunny October day. SLUF blasted slow off the pad and...
    2011-10-17Paul Nortness's SLUF (Short Little Ugly Fella)D12-5300 feet SLUF roared off the pad to the cheers of some passing bicyclists. This time, it veered towards the...
    2012-01-28Matt Mahoney's Big DaddyF24-4- Wind was 15mph at least (too much). Good launch though, no altimeter. Motor kept it safe. Estimate...

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