RocketReviews.com - Estes - Snitch (1807) [1998-2004,2007-2008]

I purchased the Snitch to add to my 18mm U.F.O. comparison article. It is a simple Ready-to-Fly model from Estes made up of plastic and seemingly indestructible.

The instructions are printed on the back of the cover-art and they simply tell you how to hook in the wire legs and flying guidance. That's it. Ready-to-Fly.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. What can ya really say for an RTF?

Estes recommends the B6-0 or the C6-0. They estimate altitude as 65 feet and 120 feet respectively.

Flight preparation is simple. Insert the motor, twist on the retainer ring, install igniter and fly.

I have flown the Snitch three times all on C6-0's and all in our front yard. It gives very stable flights. At apogee it flips over and falls until it bounces on the landing legs. The only issue was that one leg popped out on one flight. It was right back in place in seconds.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 5 points. With the extra retainer and consistent flights, it is a perfect rocket for backyard and U.F.O.-type rocketry.

I give the rocket an OVERALL rating of 5 points. It lives up to being a Ready-to-Fly.

Brief: This is one of the NEW 99 Estes RTF kits that I got from Walmart for a mere $7! It is a copy of the old Estes Flying Saucer. It looks cool and is awesome when it lands inches from the pad.

I expected possible damage to legs clips (that hold the legs in place) but after some 6 flights I have not yet had a problem. But, you do need to keep it clean and be careful unloading as to not damage the retention ring. [If you] break the ring, no problem you can use the extra but if you break the MMT part of the ring you are in trouble. I have yet to have a problem yet!

As usual Saucer flights ROCK! I love them. They are the maximum fun for the dollar and are very camera friendly. I hope to have pictures when I launch at my next club launch!

Construction: It came in a blister pack that says in large letter "READY TO FLY" and this is not a flying model rocket ... it is a flying action toy Rocket.

Instructions? What instructions? All it needs is installation of the landing legs which is covered on the inside of the cardboard of the blister pack. Very easy to build however a nasty gotcha is to keep in mind that you need to install the legs with care (although not a finicky as the Quest UFO). If you are too rough you will break a clip that holds the legs in place.

There is no finishing beyond installing the landing legs (which move the CG where it needs to be for stable flight). Decals are already applied and I like the twist-on motor retention a lot. My kit, surprisingly whether by accident or on purpose, came with an extra retention ring in case I lose the first.

Although it is an RTF it is very cool looking and I love saucers. I can not really rate construction since there really was not any construction to perform.

Flight: Motors are B6-0 and C6-0. B6-0 would be a bore since it would not get very high but it flies as expected on a C6-0. I love the slow and very low saucer flights and re-prep is a snap . . . unlock engine, remove, install, lock, & relaunch. No wadding or anything! It always impresses!

I can not wait to make this a two-stage saucer also an Apogee D10 would be fun but expensive.

Summary: I have mixed feelings on RTF rockets, but I must say this new line of rockets are, if anything, very cute and worth having. Just for that reason and also the $7 price tag does not hurt a bit!

I love the flights and design and I actually like the color as well (partial to yellow and orange).

The flights are awesome for the kids and they will NEVER lose this rocket! This is important and it won't VANISH on them. Trying to catch it is a serious NO, NO since when it hits your hand it will usually deposit a nice lump of still very hot motor stuff (yes I did this).

The only CON I expected was the leg clips but they have survived so far so I guess I will wait and see!

Flight Log

Date	Rocket Name	Motor(s)	Altitude	Notes
1969-12-31	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	I have flown this model many many many times, but this is my first recorded flight. It is the...
1998-09-01	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	I have used engines with ejection charges several times. Flight profile is about the same as for...
1999-04-18	Bob Kaplow's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-
1999-04-21	Eric Miller's Estes Snitch	B6-2	-	This rocket is supposed to fly on an engine with no ejection charge. It is a Ready to Fly (:p) but...
1999-05-30	Bob Kaplow's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
1999-08-07	Bob Kaplow's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	cork blew closure 1 leg lost
1999-09-18	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	The engine ejection again jolted the saucer hard but it came down in weeds without breaking. I now...
1999-09-18	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	D12-0/C6-0	-	This is my 1st try at CHAD staging. I forced the D12 onto the end of the C6 (~1/8-1/4)and secured...
2000-01-01	MikeyR's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Nice wobbly boost. Lost a leg (found) on landing.
2000-01-07	MikeyR's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Nice wobbly boost. Lost leg and found again.
2000-04-15	Scott Patterson's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Went up - turned over and landed on table next to our flight announcer. Applause from crowd :-)
2000-04-22	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	good flight to about 150 ft.
2000-04-22	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	B6-4	-	wanted to see if the delay caused any problem; it did but I can't remember what it was other then...
2000-04-29	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	good flight
2000-05-21	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2000-07-22	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2000-07-23	Mark VanArsdall's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2000-08-06	Jeff Howard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	Notes: perfect as always
2000-08-26	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	one of 8 saucers in a simultaneous launch at the MASA 2nd annual Great UFO launch (see picture at...
2000-10-22	Steve Smith's Estes Snitch	C6-7	-	The ejection charge fired right after the saucer landed on the damp grass, giving a landing...
2000-11-05	Donald Besaw's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Nice flight, It's amazing how much fun you can have with this rocket
2001-03-07	MikeyR's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	Nice, wobbly flight.
2001-03-07	MikeyR's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	Again, nice and wobbly.
2001-03-10	David Logan's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Another perfect flight, landed 10 ft from pad.
2001-05-20	Donald Besaw's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Removed the legs before flight. Flew just fine without them.
2001-05-26	Jeff Howard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Always a crowd pleaser .......
2001-05-27	Jeff Howard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2001-06-02	Nicole Axtell's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Still think I like it.
2001-06-10	Nicole Axtell's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2001-07-04	Diane Kirkland's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	7 deg angle with the wind. Recovery 20 yards from the pad.
2001-07-28	Nicole Axtell's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	Nice Flight, but low on the B engine.
2001-08-25	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	launched as part of the Minnesota Amateur Spacemodeler Association (MASA) 2nd annual great UFO...
2001-09-29	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2001-11-10	David Logan's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2001-11-17	John Arthur's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Perfect, as always.
2002-03-20	Tim Burger's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	Nominal.
2002-05-27	Ken Kirkland's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	1st launch of the year. Touchdown 10 yards from the pad.
2002-07-20	David Fergus's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-
2002-09-07	Tim Burger's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Nominal flight.
2002-09-13	Donald Besaw's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Nice flight. Landed about 3 feet away from me.
2003-11-22	David Logan's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Typical saucer flight.
2004-01-20	MikeyR's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	The burning propellent shot 30-40 feet in to the air. Broke off the retainer ring for the motor,...
2004-03-19	EMRR's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	A repeat flight and trying to get pictures. Up, flip and down. Very stable and really slow on the...
2004-04-17	Darwin May's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Came down hard and fast, acts like a big chute. Broke one of the landing thingies, may fly again...
2004-04-17	Darwin May's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	Nice first flight, significant weathercocking
2004-05-27	EMRR's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Drag race with the Quest UFO. Quest got faster start but the Snitch passed it and went higer.
2004-06-06	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	C11-0	-	stopped dead in its tracks at BO; D12-0 staged to a C0-0 (required for CHAD)
2004-06-06	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	D12-0	-	cool flight; D12-0 staged to a C0-0 (required for CHAD)
2004-06-27	David Logan's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2004-07-02	Frank DiMatteo's Estes Snitch	B6-6	-	Good flight except it almost hit me and the ejection charge fired and almost got me.
2004-07-10	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	D12-0	-	great flight (D12 staged to a C0-0)
2004-08-14	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	D12-0	-	CHAD to a C0-0
2004-09-28	Sam Hughes's Estes Snitch	C11-0/B6-6	-	the engins blow up in mid air very cool.
2004-10-16	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	B6-2	-	Hey, this thing is fun! Kind of low flight but it all worked fine. This thing is great for school...
2004-10-16	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Much better height with a C engine! Flips over and then the ejection goes off. Almost stuck the...
2004-10-16	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Third flight of the day. Same as the others. Spectators are requesting this one again and again.
2004-10-16	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Ok, this is the fourth flight, same again!
2004-10-16	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Fifth flight today! Same ol,same ol.
2004-11-26	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Good flight but broke a landing wire this time. Will be tricky to repair. Main body is showing...
2005-02-05	Alan Tuskes's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Second flight of the day for this one. Typical, fun flying saucer flight. Landed less than 20 feet...
2005-02-05	Alan Tuskes's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Third flight of the day for this one. Engine tube area starting to get pretty warped from engine...
2005-02-05	Alan Tuskes's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Daughter's favorite rockets.I've learned to love flying saucers. Body tube is starting to get a...
2005-05-21	Alan Tuskes's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	My daughter's favorite rocket. Another enjoyable flight with a short walk for recovery. Gotta try...
2005-05-21	Alan Tuskes's Estes Snitch	D15-0	-	Left the delay and ejection charge out of this engine. Great, loud, fast flight. One of the other...
2005-05-29	EMRR's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Good flight.
2005-06-26	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	straight up, flips and lands- a bit boring really.
2005-07-02	Alan Tuskes's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Ran out of booster motors, so I used a C6-3. Another great flight on my daughter's favorite rocket.
2005-07-02	Alan Tuskes's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	My daughter asked for it, she got it. Extremely straight flight in a respectable breeze, but still...
2005-07-09	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C5-3	-	This is a great engine for this one! Really good height with just a bit short on the delay....
2005-08-13	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C5-3	-	I like this engine. Not quite as high this time, felt a little tight on the rod. Stuck the landing!
2005-09-04	James Reyome's Estes Snitch	B6-4	-	One of those things we just had to have, a flying saucer. The Snitch flew great and landed soft,...
2005-10-18	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B4-2	-	did not have a 0 second delay, 2 seconds worked well, nice flip and a hardish landing. no damage
2005-10-22	James Reyome's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Perfect flight for what is now our favorite wind checker.
2006-01-08	Alan Tuskes's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	My daughter's favorite rocket. Very good flight to somewhere around 100 feet (maybe) Don't have...
2006-05-13	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	Open spot landing contest. Dang, had the range just right but it took off at an angle and was off...
2006-05-13	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	Test flight for open spot landing contest. Good height and range.
2006-06-29	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	good flight
2006-07-01	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	perfect
2006-07-03	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	good.
2006-07-04	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	up down
2006-09-08	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	up, down, fine.
2006-09-09	Al Gloer's Estes Snitch	D24-0	-	OK, this was just about as much as you can stuff in a snitch!
2006-10-07	Cliff Oliver's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2006-11-06	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-6	-	straight boost,landed 5 foot from pad
2006-11-09	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	always a great flight
2006-11-09	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	great
2006-11-17	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	strong winds, still performed well
2006-11-23	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-P	-	ejection charge damaged rear clip -will probably fix, might use this as a starting point for a new...
2007-01-02	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	great flight
2007-02-03	Cliff Oliver's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2007-03-25	Mal McClenaghan's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Last flight of the day (at dusk). Beautiful!
2007-03-25	Mal McClenaghan's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Great windy day rocket!
2007-03-25	Mal McClenaghan's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Another classic Snitch flight.
2007-04-01	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	low flight
2007-04-01	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	good flight
2007-04-02	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	good
2007-04-02	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	D12-0	-	chad staged to an empty 18mm motor, another great flight- D12 is the way to fly the snitch
2007-04-02	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	D12-0/B6-0	-	first time chad staging- works very well with the snitch, really good flight, give it a go!
2007-04-14	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Second flight same as first!! Broke again! OK, no more of this!!! Will repair.
2007-04-14	Geoffrey Kerbel's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Night launch with small strobes on each landing leg. Good boost but came down too fast with extra...
2007-05-06	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	D12-0/B6-0	-	fantastic flight
2007-06-17	Mal McClenaghan's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Always good.
2007-06-17	Catesby Wolski's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Great flight!
2007-07-15	John Lee's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	First Flight. Kids loved it
2007-07-17	John Lee's Estes Snitch	D21-7	-	Bought as a prebuilt for the kids; they loved it on the small booster motors and I decided to try...
2007-07-21	Dwayne Shmel's Snitch	C6-0	-	As Alan said: nice waste of a C motor. Actually it was a fun flight. One of the springs came off...
2007-07-29	Bill Poster's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2007-07-29	Dwayne Shmel's Snitch	D12-0/C6-5	-	Nice flight in the church field.
2007-08-01	John Lee's Estes Snitch	D21-7	-	I just get a kick out of watching this thing scream off the pad, invert and come in for a landing.
2007-08-19	Catesby Wolski's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Great flight - I love to watch this rocket fly!
2007-08-25	Dwayne Shmel's Snitch	C6-3	-	UFO drag race. Nice flight.
2007-09-08	John Lee's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	This was more impressive than one would suppose. Everyone got a good look.
2007-10-06	Cliff Oliver's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Mass Launch
2007-11-18	Catesby Wolski's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Great flight!
2007-12-16	John Lee's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	Another one for the kids.
2008-05-18	James Bishop's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	Good flight, landed 15 metres from pad.
2008-05-31	Scott Smith's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2008-05-31	Scott Smith's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Fun Rocket, no worries even with high winds.
2008-05-31	Scott Smith's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Even with 10+ winds the Snitch landed 15ft from launch site.
2008-06-01	Bob Harrington's Estes Snitch	D24-4	-	Fun saucer flight.
2008-06-01	Catesby Wolski's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Good flight!
2008-06-04	Bill Cooke's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-
2008-06-15	Catesby Wolski's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Great flight!
2008-07-11	John Lee's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	Kids loved it
2008-08-23	Dwayne Shmel's Snitch	D13-7	-	Drag race with other UFOs. Very cool. No delay charge installed.
2008-09-20	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	D12-0+C6-0	-	It angled over and the C6 segment was parallel to the ground. Thanks, Nick, for the C6-0 ;)
2008-09-21	Catesby Wolski's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Great flight!
2008-09-28	James Bishop's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Nice flight.
2008-09-29	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	another up and dowm flight.
2008-09-29	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	another good flight
2008-09-29	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	another good flight
2008-09-29	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-	straight up and down - no problems
2008-10-19	James Reyome's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	First flight of a surprisingly (and happily!) long day. Dead-straight boost and surprisingly high....
2008-12-01	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	another good flight
2008-12-01	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	good flight
2008-12-07	Chan Stevens's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2009-04-19	Catesby Wolski's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Drag race with two other saucers - three way tie.
2009-04-26	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Great first flight of my new Snitch. Forgot to attach landing gear spring wires I was in such a...
2009-04-26	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	2nd flight of my new Snitch. This time I have the metal landing legs on.
2009-04-26	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	3rd flight of my Snitch. Great little performer.
2009-05-17	Chan Stevens's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2009-05-30	Dwayne Shmel's Snitch	C6-5	-
2009-06-06	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Another nice flight of my Snitch. I like this little saucer-roc.
2009-06-20	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-
2009-06-20	Eldred Pickett's Estes Snitch	C6-0/C6-7	-
2009-06-20	Eldred Pickett's Estes Snitch	D12-0/C6-5	-
2009-07-11	John Lee's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Good flight after repair of shell
2009-07-12	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2009-07-12	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2009-07-12	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-
2009-07-12	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-
2009-07-14	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	Cracked the saucer on landing; repairable.
2009-07-19	John Lee's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	Good Demo Flight. The kids loved it.
2009-07-20	Eldred Pickett's Estes Snitch	A8-3	-
2009-07-20	Eldred Pickett's Estes Snitch	A8-3	-
2009-07-25	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2009-08-22	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	B6-0	-
2009-08-24	EMRR's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Oh, funny, launched up nicely and then arced while under power right over the house.
2009-09-12	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2009-09-19	Eldred Pickett's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2009-11-07	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Another great Snitch flight.
2009-11-07	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Drag race with Darrel's Snitch...I lost. No photo of this one.
2009-11-07	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	This time Dwain got the lead on my drag race Snitch with Darrel.
2009-11-14	Kathy Miller's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-
2009-11-14	Eldred Pickett's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-
2009-12-13	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-3	-	Another cool flight of the Snitch. Gotta love this one.
2009-12-13	Moe Bertrand's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	Final flight of the day (13 on the 13th) during my Sponge Bob Santa Rescue Mission. Snitch...
2009-12-13	Ben Genn's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	First flight and a great one - fantastic fun!
2010-01-10	Ben Genn's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Another great flight.
2010-08-01	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-4	-	Used the Snitch to test a batch of old B6-4s. Good flight.
2010-08-01	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-4	-	Used the Snitch to test a batch of old B6-4s. Good flight.
2010-08-01	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	B6-4	-	Used the Snitch to test a batch of old B6-4s. Good flight.this batch od motors seem to be okay
2011-06-15	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	Motor CATO. Blew the snitch apart
2011-08-07	Dick Stafford's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-
2011-09-06	Matthew Bond's Estes Snitch	C6-5	-	Very nice "Snitch" like flight. Low and sorta slow with lots of smoke and noise. Flipped over at...
2011-10-18	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	good flight
2011-10-18	Matt Gillard's Estes Snitch	C6-0	-	second flight of the day

Estes - Snitch (1807) [1998-2004,2007-2008]

Flight Log

What You Can Do