RocketReviews.com - Estes - Stars and Stripes

Brief:
This is a Starter Set that includes the Stars & Stripes E2X Series rocket with streamer recovery, two B6-4 motors, igniters and wadding. Also included is a launch pad, controller, special USA decal and complete instructions for the rocket and launch pad and controller.

Construction:
The rocket components included a white BT-56 body tube, red fin assemblies and retention ring, blue nose cone, shock cord, launch lug, American Flag streamer and decals for two different decal schemes.

The instructions included were very good, so good in fact that someone with little or no previous rocketry experience wouldn't have any problem assembling this kit. This is a very easy rocket to build. I built mine in about an hour and a half. The only materials needed were tube type plastic cement, white glue, scotch tape and a hobby knife. The parts fit for this rocket couldn't have been better. Everything went together very nicely and easily with absolutely no modifications. PROS: Easy and quick construction. CONS: None

Finishing:
I don't know if I would use the term "Finishing" with this kit due to the precolored components. I finished the model by trimming the flashing from the nose cone. I then attached the streamer to the shock cord with scotch tape as recommended by the instructions. I really don't like this method of attachment as the tape wants to peel away from the streamer. I then attached the decals for the scheme that I picked. The result was a sharp looking patriotic rocket commemrating the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on our country. Way to go Estes. PROS: No painting required CONS: Method of streamer attachment

Flight:
The recommend motors are the A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5, C6-7. This rocket does require the use of recovery wadding to protect the streamer and since the streamer is paper, you should use more wadding than required to prevent scorching. The retaining ring holds the motor in place during flight and is adequate. I have only flown this rocket once so far. Another problem with the streamer is that it is somewhat challenging to pack as it wants to unravel. I wind it up as tightly as possible and then wrap the shock cord around it. I used one of the B6-4's provided for my flight. The rocket flew straight and true with a slow rotation to about 450-500 feet. Not bad for a B motor. I can't imagine what a C will do. PROS: Nice flyer. CONS: Streamer is a little tough to pack properly.

Recovery:
With the provided streamer, this rocket comes down FAST!!! Fast enough to pose a potential recovery hazard. I thought about catching it, but when I saw it falling like a homesick rock, I immediately backed off. Luckily the rocket landed in some tall grass and there was no damage. Whoa. I would highly recommend a 9 or 10 inch parachute to slow the descent. PROS: None CONS: Very fast descent on stock streamer.

Summary:
Priced at about $19.99, I feel that this set is a real value for someone just getting into the hobby. However, I received mine as a Christmas gift from my girlfriend. I do however, highly recommend replacing the streamer with a small parachute to eliminate a potential recovery hazard. Main PROS: Great value for a newcomer. Main CONS: Streamer and method of streamer attachment.

Flight Log

Date	Rocket Name	Motor(s)	Altitude	Notes
2001-12-25	Peter Allen's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-7	-	Launched into the wind, the rocket ejected very far away but the wind tends to make it drift a lot...
2002-01-28	Donald Besaw's Estes Stars and Stripes	B6-4	-	Received as Christmas gift. Nice high flight. Fast descent on stock streamer. No damage.
2002-09-12	Jason Vennard's Estes Stars and Stripes	A8-3	-	First flight, good straight boost, no problems.
2003-02-28	Jason Vennard's Estes Stars and Stripes	B6-4	-	Good flight and recovery on our windtester for the day. 12 plastic chute.
2003-06-01	Jeff Williams's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	Great launch! Rocket flies incredibly well in windy conditions. This is due, in part, to streamer...
2003-06-30	Jason Vennard's Estes Stars and Stripes	B6-4	-	Light east winds. Another nice boost and flight. Recovery fine under 12 nylon
2003-08-10	Jason Vennard's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	Nice flight with no probs.. 12 nylon chute
2003-09-14	James Reyome's Estes Stars and Stripes	B4-4	-	Very nice first flight. PJ did the stickers on this one and did a very creative job. An...
2003-10-25	James Reyome's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	PJ was bound and determined that his Stars and Stripes would fly on a C despite the small field,...
2003-11-15	David Dye's Estes Stars and Stripes	B6-4	-	Flew straight - good altitude for B6-4 motor. Landed in a corn field about 30 feet from launch...
2004-01-25	Donald Besaw's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	Very nice flight. Went wwwaaayyy up there. I never saw anything except I heard the streamer...
2004-04-01	Saunassa's Estes Stars and Stripes	A8-3	-	nice flight, needs more power
2004-04-11	Jason Vennard's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	Nice straight flight as usual... recovery with nylon chute.
2004-05-16	Frank DiMatteo's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	On ejection the shock cord ripped and nose cone and parachute drifted into lake. Other part of...
2004-10-10	Saunassa's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	once again it flew straight and was easy recovery. noted that when i use 'C' motors the plastic...
2004-10-17	Gregory Cecil's Estes Stars and Stripes	B6-5	400 feet	Time with my younger brother, Tristan. We built the rocket in 1.5 hours and flew it three times...
2004-12-27	Gregory Cecil's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	500 feet	Rocket got hit with a strong gust of wind right after leaving the pad. It went nearly a 3rd of a...
2004-12-27	Gregory Cecil's Estes Stars and Stripes	B6-5	200 feet	3 launches on this motor. Used the steamer because of strong gusty winds. No problems encountered.
2005-04-09	Zappacky Anonymous's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	900 feet	Reached about 900 feet, makeshift sextant used. Streamer opened, lost in woods next to house....
2005-05-14	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-3	-	Nice flight for a reliable rocket. Fast recovery on the supplied streamer.
2005-05-14	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	Another nice flight on a nice clan day. Another recovery close to the launch site.
2005-06-25	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-3	-	Nice high flight. Streamer brought rocket back with only a short walk for recovery.
2005-07-23	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-3	-	Nice high flight. Streamer kept it from drifting too far in strong breeze
2005-08-20	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-3	-	Streamer stripped but landed with no damage.
2005-10-10	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-3	-	Normal good flight. Close recovery with streamer.
2005-11-05	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-	High flight. Streamer recovery was a short walk
2006-06-04	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-3	-	Typical flight for this rocket
2006-10-08	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-5	-
2006-11-18	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	C6-3	-	Nice flight.
2007-06-09	Bob Harrington's Estes Stars and Stripes	B6-4	-
2008-02-02	Ray King's Estes Stars and Stripes	B6-4	-	As always with this consistent rocket - nice boost, good ejection and streamer deployed without...

Estes - Stars and Stripes

Flight Log

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