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Contributed by Matt Gillard ![[Rocket Pic]](/images/archive/images_est/rp_est_tornado.jpg) I recently bought a Estes Tornado. The Tornado
is an Estes Explorer (Intermediate) series rocket.
This kit was packaged in plastic with a cardboard picture of the
rocket. The price was very right, $4.95. All the parts were included and
none were damaged. The instructions were typical Estes. The instructions were
typical Estes. Recently I've been exploring rockets with other than streamer or
parachute recovery. The special feature of this rocket is at apogee the
two section helicopter to the ground. The kit contains a plastic nose cone, two
body sections, balsa fins and a motor retention ring.
The rocket is a little over 9 inches in length. Maximum C engine
power.
An experienced modeler will have no problem at all with this
kit. It is important to have accurate line transfers from the paper jig
provided in the instructions to the body sections because it will be key to
fitting your rocket together later on. Also make sure you follow the
instructions and make accurate measurements.
I rate construction of this rocket a
4,
quality balsa that fit together when you do the measurements right, no major
design deficiencies or obstacles.
I primed the rocket and painted the top section red and the bottom yellow to
aid in recovery. I then applied the two water transferable Tornado
decals.
Basically the engine holds the top and bottom section halves
together. You may need to add a small piece of masking tape if your engine is
really loose. My first launch was at my club, SPAAR NAR Section
503. I used an A8-3 because I didn't want to lose it. This thing would scream
on a C. The launch was good and I was really entertained watching the two
sections spiral to the ground.
I rate flight a
5.
Very entertaining.
I really like this little kit. For the price and the fun overall I rate this
kit a 5. Flight Log| Date | Rocket Name | Motor(s) | Altitude | Notes |
|---|
| 2000-07-08 | Eric Miller's Estes Tornado | A8-3 | - | Good Flight. Nice to have friends along to track the separate sections. Landed fairly close to the... | | 2004-08-08 | Kyle Hancock's Estes Tornado | B6-2 | - | First flight. | | 2004-09-19 | Kyle Hancock's Estes Tornado | A8-3 | - | | | 2005-03-20 | Kyle Hancock's Estes Tornado | B4-4 | - | Recovered both parts | | 2005-05-24 | Nelson Eisel's Estes Tornado | A8-3 | - | First rocket I ever built, when I was 13... first flight since then! And it came back! Most... | | 2005-06-24 | Nelson Eisel's Estes Tornado | 1/2A6-2 | - | 1/2A6 gives a nice low flight and yet a very satisfying whoosh. Recovered both parts again, I... | | 2005-06-27 | Reid Smith's Estes Tornado | A8-3 | - | Top section tumbled into a yard of someone in my neighborhood. Went to find it after I was done,... | | 2007-02-10 | Dan Eastwood's Estes Tornado | A8-3 | - | First flight, unpainted, motor not taped in. Est'd 300-400 ft straight up. Both halves drifted as... | | 2007-03-08 | Matt Guerin's Estes Tornado | A3-4 | - | This was the first launch on a 13mm engine in my front yard. The flight was beautiful, but the... | | 2007-03-26 | Dan Eastwood's Estes Tornado | 1/2A6-2 | - | First flight with new bottom half. Used low power motor to avoid losing, recovered easily. ... | | 2007-04-21 | Dan Eastwood's Estes Tornado | C6-5 | - | Too much power for this sleek bird - painted Estes' gold/white scheme. Beautiful 1000'+ flight... | | 2007-05-21 | Matt Gillard's Estes Tornado | A8-3 | - | good take off, lost against cloud, both parts seen after eject, main boby spins giving a slow... | | 2007-05-21 | Matt Gillard's Estes Tornado | A8-3 | - | similar to first flight. | | 2007-05-21 | Matt Gillard's Estes Tornado | B6-2 | - | went very high. both parts tumbled ino a wood down wind - drat. |
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