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4-Star ReviewsEstes Product ReviewsKit ReviewsReviews by Sean Guzek (2 of 4)Reviews of Estes - Echostar (2176) [2001-2003]

Estes - Echostar (2176) [2001-2003]

Manufacturer:

Estes

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Contributed by Sean Guzek

Brief:
A two staged low power payloader with through-the-wall fin alignment and 3 sets of fins (booster, sustainer, canard fins).

Construction:
There was one main slotted body tube, one small tube that goes on top of the plastic transition, and one booster tube. there were two sheets of die cut balsa fins, nosecone, decals, shock cord, parachute, centering rings, and motor mount.

The instructions were simple to follow, laid out in a logical order, and had illustrations. It is important that the two piece main fins are correctly aligned by gluing them together on a sheet of wax paper.

I used Great Planes slow-curing CA for the construction. The fins are glued on following the motor mount--it is important that you have the end of the motor mount even with the end of the body tube for proper booster alignment.

The smaller tube is glued on to the transition and a coupler is glued inside of the clear plastic payload bay. This rocket comes with a long motor mount for the main body tube to provide support for the through the wall fin mounting.

The booster consists of a motor mount and centering rings, 4 die-cut balsa fins, and a red coupler. It is important to get a tight fit on the payload bay connection, so it does not fall loose in flight.

Finishing:
I did not finish this rocket yet, but you need to use sanding filler to fill in the spirals and use primer.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I chose to use the Estes C6-0 booster motor to a C6-5 sustainer motor. Boost was straight up, but upon second stage ignition the nose cone fell off. I forgot masking tape--not because of the rocket's design--causing it to arch over.

Recovery:
Recovery was perfect. I think that the included parachute is too large, however.

PROs: Good flight and good recovery

CONs: Requires recovery wadding. I used 5 sheets of Estes wadding.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
PROs: Through-the-wall fin mounting. Payload section.

CONs: Friction fit assembly

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

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