Estes Pro Series Impulse

Estes - Impulse {Kit} (2064)

Contributed by Casey Smith

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 2.50 inches
Length: 37.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Style: Cluster

Estes ImpluseBrief:
This was one of the pro series line of kits Estes offered in the early 90's. It is a basic dual engine 24 mm rocket with some upgraded components. It has a very nice yellow nylon chute for recovery.

Construction:
The kit comes with the pre slotted main body tube, a "payload" section, and 2 motor tubes. It has 4 balsa fins that come with spruce to reinforce the edges of the balsa with. It has the basic nose cone, and a build your own type of interlocking motor mount to help secure the fins. The shock cord is actually mounted to a piece of basswood near the top of the main tube. This could be an early anti zipper design. Nicely done! I lengthened the motor mount tubes and built them with 30 minute epoxy in hopes of flying this kit on 2 G55's. I have not done that yet.

The directions are fairly easy to follow, but they are a little confusing about how to build this motor mount. It is similar to an Aerotech interlock fin design, that when the fins slide into the body, the slots help hold the fins in place and are quit nice for what they are intended for. I can't imagine they thought you needed this much reinforcement for just flying on D's. I secretly think they were there for the "EXPLOSIVE" power of some of Estes's E engines! The mount actually is strong enough to take E30's no problem. The fins are a snap to put on. The rest of the rocket can be assembled almost simultaneously after the motor mount is secured. I did brush on a layer of resin to fill the balsa fins and help protect them. The kit comes with some large waterslide decals which really make it look sharp.

Estes Impluse Estes Impluse

Finishing:
This kit is very easy to finish, and the decals look great on multi color paint schemes. The kit really looks and flies great! I painted mine orange and blue for the Syracuse Orangemen!

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I have flown this kit twice, on now extinct D12-7's and E30-7's. It goes really nice on the D's, lots of fire and smoke. It really screams on the E30's.

Recovery:
The bright yellow 18 inch nylon chute is very easy to see, and the rocket always lands gently. I used a screw holding a washer in between the motors for retention.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
PRO - Easy "PRO SERIES" kit to build, easy to modify. Great flights, great recovery system.
CON - They stopped making them.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Flights

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