Estes - Cruise Missile

Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: RTF

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Contributed by Chan Stevens

Estes Cruise Missile

Brief:
I'm almost ashamed to admit having an RTF in my fleet, but this rocket actually looks pretty cool and flies much better than any other RTF I've seen lately. With a half-off coupon and already owning everything else in the store, I just couldn't walk away empty handed and picked this up for about $6.

Construction:
The rocket is all plastic, with "menacing" decals already applied and a 12" chute.

Construction consists of attaching the chute. I guess that's why they call these ready-to-fly...

Finishing:
No finishing work whatsoever is needed, except for tucking in the wings before flight. I have no idea what the purpose of these are, as they aren't supposed to be deployed for flight and don't come out at apogee for a glide effect.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
First flight was on an A10-3T, which is supposed to achieve 209 feet. I think that was a fairly accurate estimate as it flew fairly straight and stable, weathercocking slightly into an 8 mph wind.

Recovery:
The chute popped out at apogee but didn't unfold, acting as a very small streamer. No damage done though as the rocket landed in tall grass.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
This is a good rocket for the kids and can be a nice diversion on the nasty weather days when you want to fly SOMETHING but don't want to sacrifice any of your favorites. With a retail price of $12 though, I'd look for one of those half-off coupons before picking this one up.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5

Comments:
D.B.Jr. (June 1, 2001)
I normally hate RTF. I first bought this rocket when I saw it at a local Wal-Mart, I was impressed with the styling and knew I had to have it. The first launch took place after a heavy rainfall earlier in the day. The rocket acually landed in a big mud puddle. After removing the motor, I left it open to let the wet shock cord and parachute dry. Because of the all plastic construction absolutely nothing was ruined. A good kit to fly on wet ground.
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