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Estes - X-Prize SpaceShipOne

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

Contributed by Eric Maglio

Estes X-Prize ShaceShipOne

Brief:
This is a scale model of the Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne. It is part of a new line of rockets including many X-Prize kits from Estes. This rocket uses 18mm motors and has a 12" parachute recovery.

Construction:
The kit comes with a motor mount kit, body tube, nose cone, and a scale tail cone. Also included is the recovery system and laser-cut balsa parts. The shock cord is short but does not make a difference to the flight of the rocket. Overall, the kit comes with good quality parts that go together well and are free of defect.

The instructions are well written and easy to follow. I found that this kit goes together extremely well and takes a short amount of time to put together. I was pleased when I found the wings and tail booms interlock with each other for an easy fit. Also, a cardboard stand comes with the rocket for proper wing placement and alignment. There are no special tools needed for assembling this rocket. All that is required is a pencil, ruler, and basic hardware.

Finishing:
Finishing this rocket is very easy. The rocket is painted all white then decals are applied. The decals come in groups for easy placement. The only problem during finishing is no diagram was included to show where the windows on the nose cone are located.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
The motors reccomended for this rocket are motors of B and C impulse. For the first flight, I used a B6-2. The rocket flew straight but the delay was too short so it didn't get to a very high altitude. For the next flight, I used a C6-5. At first, the rocket flew straight, to an altitude of about 100 feet. Then, it turned horizontal and continued until the ejection charge went off. This was because of the high wind combined with the rod angle. Overall, the rocket seems stable and flies well, but must be launched at a 0 degree angle for a safe flight.

Recovery:
The flight recovery is near perfect. The delay must be 3 or more for the rocket to slow down enough though. SpaceShipOne comes down rather fast but the parts don't break on impact. No damage was caused by ejection or recovery on this model.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
This is a good quality kit from Estes. All parts are pre-cut and go together well for easy assembally. Also, finishing is quick and simple. Flight is not as stable as other rockets because of the unusual fins and wings, but the rocket flies well. Also, recovery is near perfect with the supplied 12" parachute. This rocket's good looks factor in as well. I flew this rocket at a club launch and more people were interested in looking at the rocket than seeing it fly. Overall, this rocket is a hit and another good, sure-to-be popular kit from Estes.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

    Flight Log

    DateRocket NameMotor(s)AltitudeNotes
    2005-02-19Eric Maglio's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Extreme weathercocking on this flight, the rocket went horizontal. I will add more noseweight.
    2005-02-26R. Christian's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-6- My first flight was fantastic and very text book...except for the rocket eating tree. Next weekend...
    2005-03-06Fred Shecter's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- I added the extra .50 ounce of clay for a total of 1 ounce. Perfect boost and it went *WAY* higher...
    2005-03-06Fred Shecter's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB6-2- I added the extra .5 ounce of clay per Estes direction (via telephone and e-mail). I'm the r.m.r....
    2005-03-19Dick Stafford's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Nice flight with some weather cocking. About 1/2 of extra nose weight did the trick.
    2005-03-29Donald Besaw's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Added the sugguested nose weight. Beautiful first flight, very straight boost, very little...
    2005-04-16Dick Stafford's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Great swooping flight
    2005-04-19Warren Evans's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Great flyer, Its now one of my Favorite Low Power rockets I got
    2005-06-25Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Added extra nose weight per the discussion on RMR. Also decided to recover the model in 2...
    2005-06-25Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Duplicate of first flight.
    2005-06-26Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Another great flight.
    2005-07-09Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Perfectly straight flight on a calm day.
    2005-07-16Mike Kiss's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Nice flight to about 350 ft, ejection right at apogee, chute tangled and rocket came down hard and...
    2005-08-28Mark Thompson's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB4-4- Low power first flight nearly put it in the trees. SS1 Arched immediately off the pad to an...
    2005-10-03Donald Besaw's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Very nice flight, nice straight boost. Landed close to pad. No damage.
    2005-10-15Dick Stafford's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Despite previous successful flights (it had the extra nose weight), it went up about 15 feet and...
    2005-10-22James Reyome's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB6-4- Flew great even in a gusty wind. Weathercocked, but seemed to roll till its wings were level...
    2005-10-22James Reyome's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB6-4- Another nifty roll to horizontal and a great flight. Used a Top Flight chute this time and a Nomex...
    2005-10-22Warren Evans's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-5- It was all over the place but still a good flight
    2005-11-05Edward Chess's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB4-2- Had not read the warnings about the need for extra nose weight. The ship cleared the launch rod,...
    2005-11-11Donald Besaw's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Very nice flight and recovery, landed close by. No damage.
    2005-11-20Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Great flight!
    2005-12-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Good flight, diving into the wind.
    2006-01-02Jeff Lane's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Maiden flight. Gradual arc downwind with a slow barrel roll so recovery was a long walk. Used a 15...
    2006-01-14Jeff Lane's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Best flight I've ever seen with an SS!. The typical oddly angled-off trajectory at 100 ft was...
    2006-02-19Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Great flight.
    2006-03-04Edward Chess's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Added the extra 1 oz. nose weight, but it didn't help. Trajectory went horizontal and crashed...
    2006-04-22Jeff Lane's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Another beautiful flight. This is one of Estes' best kits.
    2006-04-29Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Model was flown when I wasn't looking. Guess it flew alright, since I found the 2 parts in the...
    2006-05-20Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- This model just doean't seem to mind the wind at all.
    2006-05-21Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Great flight, but broke one of the long fins upon landing.
    2006-06-04Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- First flight. Straight boost and nice close recovery.
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-5- flight #4 reefed 'chute , landed closer
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-5- flight #3 long walk again
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB6-4- First flight , way underpowered
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-4- flight#2 real nice , slight spin , long walk
    2006-06-24Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Arcing stable boost. Good eject. Treed over a river. Dislodged, baptised, and retrieved.
    2006-06-27Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Nice flight
    2006-07-01Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneA8-3- A late eject and low flight meant a hard knock before the chute could do it's job. A cracked fin...
    2006-07-03Andy Turits's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- A nice maident flight for this historically skittish kit. Straight boost to about 400 feet....
    2006-07-08Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB6-2- Nice Boost. Well timed deploy. Snagged a line on a wing, speeding descent. Bellied in, snapped...
    2006-07-08Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Slight roll during boost. Perfect flight.
    2006-07-23Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Slight spin , but still a good flight
    2006-07-29Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Repaired (again)with stir stick stiffeners along the trailing wings, it arced over and flew...
    2006-08-19Clive Davis's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Boost was perfect for this monster. There was a slight roll the entire flight. Looked very...
    2006-08-19Clive Davis's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Another perfect boost and flight. Parachute came out exactly at apogee. The fins cracked away...
    2006-09-09Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Nice flight
    2006-10-08Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Beautiful straight flight
    2006-11-18Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Another perfect flight for this rocket.
    2006-12-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Great flight, except for cracking one of the long fins upon landing.
    2006-12-25Andy Turits's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB6-4- Nice straight flight to about 200 but chute lines got a little snagged after ejection. Slowed SS1...
    2006-12-30Gerry Williams's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-5- MAIDEN FLIGHT: Accidentally assembled one side wing upside down, so didn't finish painting before...
    2007-01-07Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Weathercocked slightly but otherwise perfect flight.
    2007-01-13Mike Kiss's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Flew about the same horizontal into wind as vertical, good ejection right at apogee, landed about...
    2007-02-24Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Good flight.
    2007-03-31Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Ejection charge, but no chute. Severe chute melting. Snapped off one wing tip on the bounce. Not...
    2007-04-14Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3-
    2007-04-21Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Another beautiful flight from this rocket.
    2007-06-09Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Parachute stripped off at ejection. Landed with no damage.
    2007-06-24Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Another perfect flight. Landed in irrigation ditch but missed the water and was fished out with...
    2007-06-30Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Nice flight. Long drift and landed in a tree. Retrieved from tree with no damage using recovery...
    2007-10-06Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Another perfect flight but broke a boom upon landing.. repairable
    2007-12-15Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Good flight, but broke off one of the fin assemblies upon landing. Should be easy to fix.
    2008-02-17Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Good flight.
    2008-06-28Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Typical good flight for this model.
    2008-08-09Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- 4 way Space Ship One drag race.. Only 3 launched and mine went straight up for a perfect flight.
    2008-09-28James Reyome's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Yikes! Stuck on the launch rod! Well, it was pretty, and the old motor lit just fine. It did melt...
    2008-09-28James Reyome's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Much better. Zoomed up, arced to the north, popped just past apogee with that heavy nose down. A...
    2008-11-02David Sindel's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- First flight for my SS1 with 1 oz (4 butter pats) of nose weight. The parachute tangled, saving it...
    2009-02-07David Sindel's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Too large a chute got it stuck in a large tree. However, the elastic broke weeks later and it came...
    2009-02-14 Duane Boldt's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Perfect motor for this rocket. This is a real cool rocket in flight.
    2009-03-07David Sindel's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneB6-2- Came down a hair fast and shattered a boom. Repaired.
    2009-07-11Jeff Lane's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Nice, typical flight.
    2009-08-22 Duane Boldt's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Perfect flight for SpaceShipOne. Should have one at least a couple $Mil...
    2009-08-23Jim Bassham's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Never got more than 150ft off ground. Took off spinning downwind - wildly unpredictable rocket. ...
    2009-08-23 Jim Bassham's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Horrible, spinning, mostly horizontal flight. Unstable and unpredictable rocket.
    2009-10-10David Sindel's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Arced waaaay over into the wind - max altitude was no more than 200 feet.
    2010-02-20Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Only 1 of 2 chutes opened, but no damage.
    2011-03-20Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOneC6-3- Good flight

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