GUEST's OPINION:
10/07 - "About a year ago, I cloned a DRM rocket using this website. Recently I found out that Estes re released this kit and naturally I had to go buy it. Right off the bat, it appeared there was a difference between the BT length of my clone and the length of the BT that came with the new kit. Sure enough there is a difference. The tube that comes with the kit is cut to 8 9/16" vice 9 1/8" per the review. We'll see what happens when I build and fly this new kit." (W.D.M.)

GUEST's OPINION:
03/04 - "I still have my original DRM that I built back in the mid 70's when I was a kid. This rocket has become a family favorite. My kids now do the chasing. The only think I do different from the specs is I always use a C6-7. We love the large red tube doing a free fall before deploying the chute. I think it's time to do a large version." (K.W.)

GUEST's OPINION:
07/03 - "Well, it finally happened. My Der Red Max, built in the mid-70s, and proudly displayed but never flown, leapt off the pad twice at NYPOWERX. I prepped for this by re-filleting the fins with yellow glue, and replacing the rotting rubber shockcord with a much longer length of elastic. Modest height, and shred testing, was done on a B6-2. All went well, with surprising height from the little kick. A much more lofty flight occurred on a C6-3. For the truly vintage DRM, don't forget to check that the removable base of the two piece plastic nosecone is firmly affixed." (S.E.T.)

GUEST's OPINION:
06/03 - "The Der Red Max was a kit that I always wanted as a kid but never got. That was the early 70's and now that I'm an adult I finally realized my dream of owning a Der Red Max by building one from scratch using Jim Z plans. I found a Mean Machine on eBay and used the nose cone and body tube for the main parts. Also, bought a 18" chute and motor mount on ebay to finish out my list. Scrap balsa for fins and decals from Jim Z and I had a great looking and flying Der Red Max. A dream come true!" (K.M.S.)

GUEST's OPINION:
03/03 - "I've got bigger, faster, meaner, and prettier rockets- but the ol' Max is still the "go-to" bird. If I've got time for one launch to fire up a bunch of 4-H kids, I grab the Max and a C6-5. If I've got time for two, I take along my scratch-built 4" Firedrake and a G64. My Max has well over fifty missions on it, and is looking tired. I cannibalized my Mean Machine, and I found a post-mortem Red Max a while ago to get the nose cone (tough to find), so I should be in business a while yet. I think the next incarnation will have a 24mm mount and TTW plywood fins." (K.K.)

GUEST's OPINION:
12/01 - "Great review! I scratch-built my Der Red Max clone using the nose cone, body tube and motor mount from a sacrificed Mean Machine kit. I installed the 24mm motor mount, and installed a BT coupler ahead of the forward centering ring to protect the BT from the ejection gasses. I also reinforced the balsa fins with card stock that came from the Mean Machine kit. This is a key feature, as it adds a lot of strength to the fins. Everything was assembled with yellow carpenters' glue. The tube spirals will filled with Elmer's Fill N' Finish, then primer and paint. Some decals from Tango Papa rounded out the package. My DRM has flown a total of 9 times - first 3 flights on a C-6-3's, and the other 6 on D-12-7's. The reviewer is right on - put in a 12" chute! I have in a 12" chute with a 1" spill hole in mine. She really goes on a "D" motor so it needs it! She has come down really hard once due to melted chute, but suffered no (NONE!) damage thanks to the beefy fins. It flies stable, but I think it would benefit from a tad of nose weight. (due to the heavier fins and motor mount no doubt) Thanks for a great article! Joe Michel" (J.A.M)

GUEST's OPINION:
02/01 - "Thanx for the review Dave. After seeing Dave O'Nan's review on the DRM, I wanted to build one myself. The DRM was my favorite as a teenager. I cannibalized a tube(cut to 9 1/8"), nose cone, chute, and shock cord from an Estes "mean machine" kit. Got the motor mount from a motor mount adapter kit made by Estes. I used instructions and fin pattern downloaded from JimZ's site. (thanx Jim)! Assembly was a snap. I flew this rocket last weekend on B and C motors and all flights went fine with no problems encountered. This rocket works well on the B engines and I highly recommend launching on calm days if using the C engines. This rocket REALLY moves when using a C. Recovery was with a standard Estes 12" chute attached to the nose cone via snap swivel. Snap swivels are awesome as they really keep the chute shroud lines from becoming tangled. Overall, I rate this kit a 4 1/2 out of 5. Getting all the parts does take a little leg work. Other than that the DRM flies great and looks great. Yes, the review was right on the money. My experiences mirrored Dave O'Nan's." (W.M.)

GUEST's OPINION:
03/00 - "I had the good luck, years ago, to find a opened, rather battered "DRM" kit at a KB Toys outlet. I got it for a song. After many years, I built and finished it. What a neat model this is! Flies great even on an A8-3. Low-thrusty motors like the B4-2 work fine and look better. I couldn't see using more than a C in it; it's actually a fairly lightweight kit. I replaced the parachute with a big nylon streamer; so far, this has proved adequate. Recommended as a good first project for the budding kit-recreator." (S.J.)

GUEST's OPINION:
12/99 - "Nice review. I just finished restoring an original DRM just this week. It needed a fin, nose cone and motor mount. I don't have the Estes clip on mine but I am sure the tension fit will work fine. It's nice to know that these are still floating around out there. Are there repro decal sheets available for them?? I could use a new set...." (J.W.)

SPECIFIC ROCKET TIP:
02/05 - "Scrap the "bungee" style shock cord/paper cut-out mounting for this rocket. Instead of using wood or white glue, put a small piece of masking tape over paper cut-out with shock cord folded X3 inside. Attach 1.5 to 2 in. inside body tube. Then apply thin layer of epoxy over masking tape and paper cut-out. I've found this attachment method to work well even in mid-power rockets. I've never had one come off mounted this way." (W.D.M )

SPECIFIC ROCKET TIP:
10/04 - "Everyone has talked about using the Meanie for the conversion - but you can get your hands on a Screamin' Mimi a lot easier, usually, and the nose cone is the same - and it comes with a 'D' engine mount to boot !! I just bought a Screamin' Mimi kit at Hobby Lobby for 1/2 off, or $5 and some change. I'm building my Max now and I'll let you know how it turns out.....I always wanted one of these when I was a kid, it was hands-down the coolest rocket going." (K.G.D. )