Estes - Yellow Jacket (7005)
Contributed by Ted Phipps
Like most Estes kits, it comes in a plastic bag. I like the fact that I can inspect the parts for damage before buying. My kit had no missing or damaged pieces. Building is as standard as it comes, with no surprises or special tricks. Estes instructions are consistently good. Don't forget to replace the kit shock cord with sewing elastic at least twice the body length. The relatively large fins make for very stable flights, but care is needed to glue them on straight. Definitely use double-glue joints and fillets as suggested in the instructions. Also, use a snap swivel between the nose cone and parachute, this rocket will get enough altitude to make drift a problem. I sometimes replace the standard 12" chute with a large streamer or a chute with the vent hole cut out. For this rocket, prep work is 90% of the finish. Even if you usually don't, I suggest filling the tube spirals, and getting the fin grain filled with sanding sealer or spackle. The large unbroken areas of color on the completed model will highlight a good finish. Painting couldn't be simpler; black on top, yellow on bottom, and the supplied decals do the striping for you. The Yellow Jacket will weathercock, so it's best on days with relatively little wind. I occasionally fly on A8-3's when the wind is kicking up, but that's like using a Ferrari as a golf cart. B6-4's or -6's are better, C6-7's are great, and even built stock, it'll handle the 18mm D's for awesome flights.
Ratings:
(Taken from Spinal's Fun & Hobbies Page---http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/3913) ![[Picture]](/images/archive/images_est/rp_est_yellowjk.jpg) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: Estes Price: $8.99 Series: BETA Rating: (*)(*)( )( )( ) Engines: A8-3, A8-5, B4-4, B4-6, B6-4, B6-6, B8-5, C6-5, C6-7 Nose cone: Plastic Engine Mount: Quick Release Engine Hook Fins: Balsa Recovery: 12" parachute Decals: Water Transferable Max. Altitude: 300 meters ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I did not like this rocket. When it is finished, it doesn't look all that nice like the picture. Trying to get the fins to stay on is very hard and when I launched, the Launch Lug and Fins came off! This rocket went a pretty high, but it lost a fin up very high. Luckily I recovered it. I don't think this rocket should be in BETA, but the only thing I like about it is the yellow jacket on each side. I don't recommend this rocket.
What You Can Do
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