Brief:
If the Flintstones had a rocket, this would be it. A simple BT-80 based 3FNC
with an unusual nosecone, waterslide decals, and a novel paint recommendation.
Construction:
The kit contains:
- 1 X BT-80 body tube 14.25"
- 1 X BT-50 24mm 4.25" motor mount tube
- 3 X laser cut 1/8" balsa fins
- 2 X BT-80 motor mount rings
- 1 X 24mm engine block ring
- 1 X D-engine motor hook
- 1 X BT-50 external coupler engine hook retainer
- 1 X rubber shock cord 30" length, trifold mount
- 1 x NC-80 nose cone (Estes part number 61465, PNC designation not known)
this is a new dimpled FatBoy style cone
- 1 x 3/16" x 2" launch lug
- 1 x 18" assembled parachute
- 1 x yellow engine space tube
- 1 X sheet waterslide decals
Instructions were typical Estes. Very easy to follow, nicely illustrated. No
gotchas. Materials were typical high Estes quality with a longer than usual
shock cord. Motor mount tube is easily long enough to set up for an E-motor but
engine hook is for D (and 24mm C) engines.
Finishing:
Finishing is what sets this rocket apart from other Estes kits. Recommended
paint is grey "textured" paint to give the rocket a rough
granite-like appearance. This paint is expensive (almost as expensive as the
kit) so look for it on sale. Having never thought to use this non-aerodynamic
paint on a rocket kit before, I found it a lot of fun. Really hard to
"mess up" the paint job on this kit. I was also concerned the decals
wouldn't apply well to the surface but I was wrong. They laid down surprisingly
well and minor pressure on the decals with a piece of balled up paper towel
made them mold into the nooks an crannies. I saw a recommendation somewhere to
first apply a gloss coat, after the initial textured coat, to help the decals
lay down but I didn't find this necessary. I did gloss coat afterwards to seal
the decals in place. Only potential "gotcha" on the decals is that
the fin decals are a fairly large, pre-sized X-shape which may be difficult for
folks new to waterslide decals. Having put on a million decals in my youth I
found them a slight challenge to apply without folding or tearing. They might
be a litle frustrating for a skill level 1 builder (which is what this kit is
rated). I've heard complaints about decal fragility in other new Estes kits but
I didn't find that a problem with the Rock-it. Overall, what sets this rocket
apart is it's finish and I found it to be new, different, and fun. Lots of
smiles at launches with the novelty and silliness of the way it looks.
Construction Rating:
4
out of 5
Flight:
Completely unexpected was how well this rocket flies. It's basically a
lengthened Fat Boy (now discontinued) with a 24mm motor mount. Wow does this
thing fly great. On C11's it does about 350 - 400 feet and a D12 gets about
500-600 feet. A more emphatic flight than the Fat Boy because of the bigger
boost. Very stable, even in high wind. I haven't checked RockSim but I can't
imagine setting up for an E would pose a problem. Really flies great.
Recovery:
Chute is right sized, but it really doesn't matter. I drove 2 hours to launch
with a friend and got there to find 15 - 20 mph winds. I launched the Rock-it
with only nose-blow recovery (no parachute or streamer at all) and it tumbled
down nicely onto the grass completely without injury to the fins or body tube.
I've since had another flight where the chute tangled and acted more as a
streamer. Again, no damage, this time from D-altitude. With fins this big you
think they'd be prone to snapping but apparently the 1/4" balsa does the
trick. Shock cord is much longer than prior Estes standards, almost 30"
which works well.
Flight Rating:
5
out of 5
Summary:
Overall, I like this rocket way more than I thought I would when I bought it.
I've flown a lot this summer and this is the one rocket I've taken to every
launch. Unique look. Easy to build. Flies great. Solid as a tank. Heck of a
looker and performer for such an inexpensive level one rocket. My only ding in
the points is because the fin decals might be a little frustrating for true
level one builders. Other than that, this one is perfect in every way. After 40
years it must be a little hard to come up with something new, but the Rock-it
is a surprising great addition to the Estes legacy.
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Flight Log
Comments:
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JFB (October 27, 2008)