| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
| Published: | 2013-12-24 |
| Diameter: | 1.64 inches |
| Length: | 16.25 inches |
| Manufacturer: | Estes  |
| Skill Level: | 1 |
| Style: | Sport |
Brief
This one's a classic. Easy assembly, great decals, cool decals, and presumably a good flier.
Components
This is a pretty regular 3FNC rocket, but the part quality is what makes it shine. The rubber band shock cord is about 1/4 inch wide, much thicker than others I have come across. It also seems to be a slightly different, more sturdy material. This may be standard for all large-caliber rockets, but this is my first, so it's hard to tell. The fins are also of high quality. They are thicker and sturdier than other fins I've seen, and seem to be of higher quality balsa.The parachute, as always, is very cool. The decals really add to the personality of the kit-Mitt grabben! Nicht stompen! This kit includes an unusual fin alignment jig whuch is punched out of cardboard and placed in two parts at each end of the rocket to draw the fin alignment lines. I wish that every kit had this, as it made everything very easy.
Construction
No problems with the construction until I got to separating the fins from the balsa sheet. It seems that the laser was malfunctioning that day, and the balsa was not cut all the way through in some places. I had to separate this with a hobby knife, which was hard and took over half an hour because the balsa is especially thick. I'll have to rate the construction and finishing 4/5 stars for this problem.
Finishing
Not too hard- primer, red, decals, clearcoat. Went off without a hitch.
Flight
I have not flown this yet, I'm waiting for a non-windy day. This is a heavy rocket, and I think that a C engine would be perfect for it. Will update as soon as it is flown.
Recovery
Not recovered yet. The parachute is cool, though.
Summary
This is a classic, and it just feels solid. It's heavy, the assembly is easy, and it just looks fantastic with the decals on. My only problem was the fin separation, but that's relatively minor. Overall, I'll give this a 5/5.
Other Reviews
- Estes Der Red Max By Todd Mullin (March 25, 2008)
Brief: Undt zo! Dis es das refew of der Estes Der Red Max rockutt kit! Undt now, you vill read itt und you vill find it ver-r-ry interesting! Yahvohl! Dat ist as order! Another classic kit recently re-released by Estes with some modernization. The Red Max retains its zany fun graphics and original flight characteristics while getting improvements like laser cut fins and a skull ...
- Estes Der Red Max By Douglas Gardei (September 19, 2007)
Brief: Re-release of a classic Estes rocket! Includes a cool pre-assembled pirate skull 18" parachute! My first memory of the Der Red Max was a little over twenty years ago. I was between the age of 6 and 8, and my grandfather had given me $20 for my birthday. My parents took me to a mall and I was in Kay-Bee Toy and Hobbies. I was trying to find something to spend my money ...
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