|
Kit |
Squirrel Works SpaceCruiser FFE |
ThrustAero Mars Probe |
Mile High Rockets Explorer 1 |
|
Length |
20.5" |
13.6" |
22" |
|
Weight |
2.1 oz. |
1.1 oz. |
1.6 oz. |
|
Fins (qty) |
8 |
8 + 2 Rings |
3 |
|
Fins (material) |
Balsa |
Balsa |
Balsa |
|
Fins (Laser, Die, You-cut) |
Laser Cut |
You Cut |
Laser Cut |
|
Fin Mount (TTW, Surface, etc) |
surface |
surface |
surface with fin mounting rails |
|
Body Tube (size) |
1.3" |
.0978" |
.097" |
|
Body Tube (material) |
Kraft Paper |
Kraft Paper |
Kraft Paper |
|
Motor Mount (size) |
24mm |
18mm |
18mm |
|
Centering Rings (qty) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Centering Rings (material) |
paper |
Paper |
Paper |
|
Motor Retention (Y/N) |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Nose Cone (material) |
Balsa |
Balsa |
Plastic two piece |
|
Launch Lugs (material) |
rolled plastic |
rolled plastic |
rolled plastic |
|
Recovery Method |
chute |
chute |
chute |
|
Shock Tether (mat & len) |
NA |
5" Kevlar thread |
24" Kevlar thread |
|
Shock Cord (mat & len) |
36" elastic |
24" elastic |
9" Kevlar/elastic |
|
Shock Mount (3-fold, motor tube) |
three fold |
motor tube |
motor tube |
|
Parachute (material & size) |
15" Heat resistant Mylar |
You Cut 12" Mylar |
12.5" Heat resistant Mylar |
|
Fin wrap Guide |
printed |
printed |
printed |
|
Decals (self, water, vinyl, etc) |
water slide |
water slide and reflective tape |
vinyl |
|
Recommended Motors |
C11-5, D12-5, D12-7 |
A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, C6-5 |
A8-3, B6-6, B6-4, C6-5, C6-7 |
|
Instructions (# of pages, size) |
four 8.5X4 |
8, 8.5X11 |
4. 8.5X11 |
|
Illustrated (hand or computer) |
computer |
computer |
computer |
|
Photo-Illustrated (B&W, Color) |
B&W Illustrations |
B&W photos |
B&W Illustrations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price |
$20.95 |
$15.95 |
$15.00 |
|
Parts Quality |
5 |
4 |
4.5 |
|
Construction Difficulty Rating (ESTES Scale 1-5) |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Manufacturer Care and Details |
5 |
3.5 |
4.5 |
|
Flying Rating |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Recover System |
4.5 |
4 |
4.5 |
|
Overall Style |
5 |
5 |
3.5 |
|
Overall Rating |
5 |
4 |
4.5 |
|
Review Pro's |
Great looking, goes together easily, high quality parts, manufacturer
care and attention to detail, excellent decals, easy to follow instructions, flies on almost any motor you stuff it
with. |
Unique design, pleasing to the eye, flies well, pre-cut tube fins,
Kevlar enhanced recover system, two tail shrouds supplied, instructional photos proved to be a great aid in
construction. |
Goes together easily, parts were of good quality, prefabricated fin
mounting rails are a great idea, full length kevlar thread, kevlar wrapped shock cord, heat resistant parachute, good
instructions. |
|
Review Con's |
Almost nothing other than recovery system needs Kevlar enhancement and
chute shows sign of melting. |
"You Cut" fin material too fragile, Kevlar thread WAY too
short, chute too large, packaging is crude, small gotcha's in instructions, poor quality decals |
Shock cord was WAY too short, vinyl decals are too thick, lack depth
and color and don’t adhere well, parachute is a bit thick for BT diameter. |
|
Comparison Pro's |
Cool Retro design, easiest to build, best quality parts, most dramatic
flights. |
Most original design of the lot, wish I had thought of it, great
altitude for a tube fin rocket. I consider it a Dimond in the Rough. |
Easy to build, good part quality, best recovery system, flies well,
least expensive. |
|
Comparison Con's |
Most expensive, needs Kevlar upgrade and that is about it. |
Lowest quality parts and decals, balsa too fragile for "you
Cut" parts, rough packaging, only model in comparision with Gotcha's. |
Low quality decals, mediocre styling, looks "blah" compared
to other models. |
