| Construction Rating: |  | | Flight Rating: |  | | Overall Rating: | |
Contributed by Frank Casey
 Brief:
The Estes V-2 "E" Engine Powered kit aka Maxi V-2 is the latest version of the original Model No. 1267 Maxi
V-2 which was produced from 1974-1981. I had that original kit way back in the day and it was by far my favorite rocket
then just as it is now. This newest version (now also OOP) is setup with a 24mm motor mount capable of holding a D or E
engine. It utilizes two 24" parachutes, one for the main body and one for the large nose cone.
Construction: The kit includes::
- Body tube BT-101
- Body tube - BT-50 (serves as engine mount & Stuffer tube)
- Body tube - BT-52 (slips over engine hook and BT-50)
- Nose Cone - PNC-101F
- Tail cone
- 4 Fin sheets (two fins halves on each sheet
- Yellow spacer tool
- Engine hook
- Orange Spacer (for E to D engine usage)
- Green engine block
- Launch Lug
- Wood dowel 1/2" x 6"
- Shock cord 1/4" x 18"
- Shock cord 1/4" x 36"
- Die cut ring set
- Decal sheet
The build was very straight forward and the instructions were laid out well. This model requires plastic modeling
cement for the plastic components and wood glue for the other components.  The fin construction was challenging but I followed the instructions and things went smoothly. Once
I had all fins glued together I just took my time sanding, filling and each one came out great. Gluing the four
completed fins to the boat tail was a snap.
Finishing:
PROs: The paint scheme I chose was basically similar to the box cover picture so painting was very easy to do. I used
green, almond and brown paint to give the rocket the desired look.
CONs: None that I can think of.
Construction Rating:
5
out of 5
Flight:
This rocket requires the Estes E-Launch Pad since it's big and heavy. It also takes a good deal of wadding if you
don't want your parachutes burned during ejection.
For the first flight I used an E9-4 engine that a friend of mine had laying around. That engine choice proved to
be very costly. I put the V-2 on the pad, hooked up the clips and stood back with camera in hand to capture the launch.
There were more than a few folks on hand to see the launch; the countdown reached zero the button was depressed. The
engine roared to life. However as it did it blew the nozzle out and a great stream of fire poured down onto the blast
deflector and up around the rocket.
For a moment, I was surprised and didn't move towards the rocket right away. By the time time I grabbed it up and
away from the blast deflector the lower fins were burned and twisted. The bottom of the boat tail was also burned
through in one place but not otherwise melted. I guess that engine had been sitting around too long and perhaps the
conditions it sat in weren't optimal. I called Estes and they were kind enough to ship me a new set of fins. I cut the
old ones off of the rocket and applied the new ones. It was a repeat of the first fin build and after some touch up
paint the V-2 was ready to go again.
On the next flight I used a D12-3. This time the V-2 lifted off slowly and gained altitude. It didn't go straight
up. It traveled at an angle. I think it only got to 150 feet or so and ejection was far too close to the ground for my
liking. It was still a very cool launch and recovery via the two huge chutes was done without damage.
I then sent it up on an E9-4 and this time the rocket healed over at about 80-90 feet or so and travelled cruise
missle style until it ejected only about 25 feet or so from the ground. The very tip of the nose cone chipped off when
it hit a concrete road but other than that no damage resulted. The Estes E9-4 is NOT the engine for this rocket. For
that matter neither is the Estes D12-3.
Additional D12-3 flights were similar to the first D12-3 flight so I put the V-2 on the shelf. The V-2 looks great
on display! It will fly again, but only on Aerotech E and maybe F engines.
Recovery:
PROs: It's a great looking rocket on display, on the pad and as it lifts off. It's slow and majestic and definitely
commands attention.
CONs: The two recommended engines fall far short of being able to deliver the power or speed needed to give this
wonderful rocket a decent flight.
If you are lucky enough to find one of these I suggest going with a larger engine than either of those recommended
by Estes. I also recommend a long launch rod since it will keep the rocket on track longer while it is building up
speed.
Flight Rating:
4
out of 5
Summary:
Out of all of the rockets that I have built over the years this is my absolute favorite. Rebuilding this rocket after
the fire was almost as much fun as building it the first time. I look forward to flying it on larger more powerful
engines in the future.
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5 Flight Log| Date | Rocket Name | Motor(s) | Altitude | Notes |
|---|
| 2002-05-25 | Mike Doherty's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E15-4 | - | This kit ROCKS on this motor. First flight for kit & my first E flight ever. Awesome. only bummer... | | 2002-07-13 | Mich Henshaw's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F21-6 | - | Took advice on NOT using E size engines for this ship. The F21 in this model was my first... | | 2002-07-16 | Robert Vaughan's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | - | Absolutely beautiful flight. NC 'chute tangled in body 'chutes, came down quick. Cracked two fins... | | 2002-08-24 | Christian Voto's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F21-6 | - | Awesome boost with slight spiraling probably due to warped plastic fins. Over 800 feet. Both... | | 2002-09-14 | Joe Skitka's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | 2xE9-4 | - | A dual 24mm motor mount works great in this rocket and allows you to get the speed of an AP motor... | | 2002-10-05 | Randy Powell's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F20-4 | - | This was the maiden flite for this rocket.It boosted well and weather-cocked.The delay was real... | | 2002-10-20 | Randy Powell's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F20-4 | - | definitely needs a G for max altitude...looks very realistic when boosting. | | 2003-04-12 | Randy Powell's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | G38-4 | - | | | 2003-04-16 | Fred Dilley's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | 4xE9-9 | 250 feet | This rocket weathercocked severely. Flight was to 250 feet. Rocketwas headed towards the ground... | | 2003-04-19 | William Beggs's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | - | Great flight and recovery. | | 2003-08-17 | Rod Thrasher's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | - | Kit too heavy for an E9. Does not accelerate fast enough to get up straight. Arced over and flew... | | 2003-09-07 | Chris Douglas's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | 500 feet | Built and flew per Estes instructions, everything stock with no modifications. Spectacular flight... | | 2003-09-21 | Randy Powell's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | G38-4 | - | both G38s in this pack ejected way too early...hope that doesn't continue...rocket was'nt hurt. | | 2003-10-18 | Jason Vennard's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F21-6 | - | Built completely stock except for recovery system which is all kevlar. Perfect quick boosted... | | 2004-04-04 | Brian Jarchow's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | - | Third flight for my V-2, and definitely the best. Would have launched it again that day but I... | | 2004-04-10 | William Beggs's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | - | Good flight. Damaged one fin on landing. | | 2004-05-02 | Tim Doll's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E18-4 | - | Slight weathercock off the rod, but otherwise a near perfect flight. Next time it gets an F motor. | | 2004-06-14 | Tim Baumgart's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | - | Built stock with epoxy putty fin fillets, launched off a 6 foot high steel rod. Nice long burn on... | | 2004-06-26 | David Logan's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E18-4 | - | Used a single PML 24 inch chute which brought it down a little too fast. Luckily it landed in some... | | 2004-06-27 | David Logan's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F21-6 | - | Great motor for this one. Rod whip sent it with the wind, and use of a 30 inch chute made for a... | | 2004-07-10 | Greg Deeter's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F50-4 | - | 29mm Aerotech cooling baffle upgrade. Very loud flight, twisted a little on the way up. Came down... | | 2004-07-11 | Terry Fernandes's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | 2xD12-3 | - | Flies quite nice with double D12-3's. Recovered with a 24 spherachute. Perfect flight. Nice to see... | | 2004-07-24 | Greg Deeter's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F50-4 | - | Extremely loud lift off. Someone commented that we should have ear plugs when using the F50 in... | | 2004-08-28 | Clive Davis's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F21-6 | - | Great flight for this motor. Very stable, great ascent. I should have gone with the F21-4, because... | | 2004-08-28 | Greg Deeter's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F50-4 | - | Extremely loud and nice boost. Some typical twisting. Landed to scale. Nose cone ejected but 30... | | 2004-09-11 | William Beggs's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | - | Parabolic flight. Damage on landing. | | 2004-10-26 | Robert Buss's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | D12-3 | - | Perfect flight and recovery. No weathercocking. This is a good small field motor. | | 2004-11-02 | Robert Buss's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F21-4 | - | Wow! What a performance boost. Some weathercocking (wind was picking up by now). Long walk to... | | 2005-10-15 | Greg Deeter's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F50-6 | - | Brought this bird out of retirement this morning and launched it at NASA's Johnson Space Center on... | | 2006-05-21 | Hank Coates's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E15-7 | - | Very nice boost. Coast to about 750 ft then turned over. Screamed towards the ground. Ejected... | | 2006-06-18 | Paul Bethel's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F12-3 | - | 10th flight!Built w epoxy,old dependable. | | 2006-07-21 | Anonymous Joe's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E9-4 | - | Slowest liftoff ever seen. Flew to about 150 ft. This motor is good, but I might try an E15 or an... | | 2007-04-01 | Dave Hein's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | E28-4 | - | Amateur Rocketeers of Texas Launch at Meek Ranch, TX. Perfect launch and recovery. | | 2007-05-19 | Dave Hein's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F24-6 | - | Amateur Rocketeers of Texas launch at Meek Ranch. I drilled out the delay element to reduce the... | | 2007-06-02 | Dave Hein's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F39-4 | - | | | 2007-08-25 | Dave Hein's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F39-4 | - | Cracked a fin on landing. Can be repaired. | | 2007-09-10 | Ed Boyd's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F24-4 | 900 feet | The AT F24-4W is easily the best motor for this kit. I have tried numerous other engines (forget... | | 2009-09-07 | Ed Boyd's Estes V-2 (E-motor Version) | F35-5 | 750 feet | Tested with the AT F35-5W...excellent flight near Mannheim Germany; V-2 right at home. Combo very... |
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