Brief:
This is an egg lofting rocket by Estes with a large payload capsule suitable
for eggs and other payloads. It flies on 18mm motors and is recovered by a
parachute. It has been out of production (OOP) for a few years.
Construction:
The kit came packaged in a nice bright colored box and included the two motor
mount sections, retention ring, fins, lower launch lug, two BT-56 sized blue
body tubes, coupler section with the upper launch lug, lower and upper payload
capsule sections, adapter ring, foam insert, shock cord, 18 inch unassembled
parachute, shroud lines, and tape rings and decals.
The instructions were of typical Estes material and had illustrations and
text. No templates or shock cord mounts were included as none were needed.
The kit was in the E2X line and all the components were pre-colored in
orange and blue.
I started by assembling the motor mount/fin can assembly. I then attached
the shorter body tube, followed by the coupler. I tied the shock cord onto the
cross bracing in the coupler as directed, however, I don't think this method of
attachment is very good. Next came the coupler and then I aligned the launch
lugs and attached the upper body tube. Finally, I assembled the parachute and
attached it to the lower section of the payload capsule and tied the shock cord
in place to finish the assembly.
PRO: Easy and quick construction.
CON: None here.
I really like the payload capsule on this rocket, as it screws together
easily and tightens securely plus a foam insert is included. Just cut the
insert in half and you're all set.
Finishing:
There is no real finishing involved with this rocket due to the pre-colored
orange and blue components. I just placed the peel and stick decals on it. The
finished rocket is rather sharp looking and the colors make it easy to find on
the ground.
PRO: No painting required
CONS: None
Construction Rating:
5
out of 5
Flight:
The recommended motors for this rocket are the B4-2, B6-2, C5-3, C6-3. With
egg, C5-3 and C6-3, however, C5-3s are currently out of production.
The retaining ring holds the motor in place during flight and this rocket
does use recovery wadding.
For the first flight, I used a B6-2 and flew the model empty. It was a nice
straight flight and reached a modest altitude. Unfortunately, the lower launch
lug was nearly broken off.
After fixing the launch lug, I launched this again with a C5-3 and with an
egg onboard. Due to the extra weight, there was some noticeable weathercocking
but the chute still deployed in plenty of time and I got the egg back intact.
For the third flight, I used a C6-3 and launched another egg. This time I
noticed almost severe weathercocking almost right off the rod. I thought for
sure that I was going to end up with a smashed egg but about 50 feet off the
ground, the ejection charge went off and with authority. It severed the shock
cord allowing the booster to free fall and land without damage but the payload
capsule returned under chute and the egg was surprisingly unscathed.
Post-flight inspection clearly revealed the shock cord failed at the mount.
I ended up cutting off the burned portion and I remounted it in the normal
manner with a paper tri-fold mount.
PRO: Flies nice without payloads.
CONs: Durability of lower launch lug. Seems to weathercock significantly
when launching eggs.
Recovery:
For recovery, this rocket uses an 18 inch parachute which is sufficient to
bring it and an egg back safely but the shock cord is not all that good. I feel
that it is mounted too close to the ejection charge. Even with using the
recommended amount of wadding and perhaps a little more, I got two flights out
of it before it failed. If Estes ever decides to reissue this rocket, it needs
improvement here.
PRO: Correct parachute size.
CON: Shock cord mount location.
Flight Rating:
3
out of 5
Summary:
I feel that this is a good egg lofting rocket but it is by no means perfect. I
feel that the shock cord system definitely could use some improvement and the
weathercocking might be a nuisance to some. It needs a bit more power than a
C6-3 can provide.
For comparison, I tested this along with my Quest Courier on the same motor
(C6-3) and with the same Grade A large egg. The Courier easily outperformed the
Omloid with a boost that was almost arrow straight compared to the Omloid's
massive weathercocking and reached an altitude maybe double that of the Omloid.
I would recommend this rocket but since it is OOP, I would not put a whole
lot of effort into trying to find one when there are better alternatives that
are readily available.
Main PRO: Easy construction and finishing.
Main CONs: Flight performance does leave a little something to be desired.
Lower launch lug durability. Shock cord mount location.
Overall Rating:
3
out of 5
Flight Log
| Date | Rocket Name | Motor(s) | Altitude | Notes |
|---|
| 2001-04-02 | Donald Besaw's Estes Omloid | C5-3 | - | Lofted raw egg into low earth orbit. Parachute opened immediately and egg came back without a... |
| 2003-08-03 | Donald Besaw's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | Carried an egg onboard. Major cocking off the rod. Shock cord seperated from booster. Booster and... |
| 2006-10-12 | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | with an egg, weather cocked towards a wood, ejection was very late, just before the wood,... |
| 2006-11-06 | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | straight boost, egg undamaged. |
| 2006-11-06 | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | arched boost, went horizontal, parachute opened just in time, no damage to egg. |
| 2007-02-04 | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | arced on boost, ejection 2 foot from ground, egg payload smashed to pieces, body tube core sampled... |
| 2009-10-16 | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | good flight, no damage to egg |
2011-04-12  | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | near horizontal flight.
egg broken. |
| 2011-04-12 | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | near horizontal flight.
egg broken. |
| 2011-04-12 | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | near horizontal flight.
egg broken. |
| 2011-04-13 | Matt Gillard's Estes Omloid | C6-3 | - | Egg did not break this time. |
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