Estes Meanie

Estes - Meanie {Kit} (877) [1990-1991]

Contributed by Matt Gillard

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Estes
(OOP) Estes Meanie

Brief:
A four finned 13mm rocket quite large for its motor size. It recovers via a streamer and comes in a plastic bag with an art card.

Construction:
Kit consists of:

  • 1 launch lug
  • Estes paper shock cord mount
  • 1 streamer
  • 1 2ft length elastic shock cord
  • Balsa nose cone
  • Body tube
  • Ring adapters
  • Engine mount tube
  • Engine hook
  • Pre-cut balsa fins
  • Paper adapter rings
  • Decal sheet

I added a foot length of Kevlar® cord.

To build the kit I used:

  • CA gel glue
  • Model knife
  • Sandpaper
  • White PVA glue
  • Primer spray paint
  • red enamel spray paint

Builds pretty much like most of the basic Estes kits. The instructions are clear and straightforward. Being a vintage kit, it had the old style elastic cord, and true to all Estes kits, it was far too short. The only change to the build was too add a length of Kevlar® cord tied to the motor tube and then to the shock cord supplied. I like the balsa nose cone. It's a shame that nearly all Estes kits now use plastic.

Finishing:
One coat of primer. Two coats of red spray paint to match the art work on the card supplied. The body tube has next to no grooves in it. Waterslide decals are supplied which went on well.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
Flies on a 1/2A3-2T, 1/2A3-4T, A10-3T or A3-4T

I used 1 sheet of Nomex® wadding and I've flown it on 1/2A3-2T and A10-3T motors. Flights are nice and straight. Lift off the pad was at a good but trackable speed. Unlike most small rockets, you can see the whole flight provided you don't take your eyes of it.

Recovery:
Recovery is on a steamer. This brings the rocket down fast, but due to its light mass, there have been no problems.

Recovery:
A big little rocket that performs well allowing you too see the whole flight, unlike other "FAF" (fire and forget) rockets that I have lost.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
A big little rocket that performs well allowing you too see the whole flight, unlike other "FAF" (fire and forget) rockets that I have lost.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Flights

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