Estes RediRoc Raider

Estes - RediRoc Raider {Kit}

Contributed by John Lee

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes
Estes Raider

Brief:
An all foam plastic (TufLite) ready to fly tumble rocket.

Construction:
There are only three parts: the "rocket" itself, an engine tube, and a decal sheet. There isn't much in the way of construction, just a quick sand down with fine sandpaper and then slide the engine tube into the base of the rocket. The tube does not require gluing as it is a tight fit.

Finishing:
The rocket can be flown naked, but it does look a lot better painted.

As the rocket is foam only, urethane or water based acrylics can be used. I went for the water based acrylics which I painted on with a brush. This took four coats to get rid of the streaky finish.

The decals are the clear sticky backed variety. They go on easy.

Construction Rating: 3 out of 5

Flight:
The only recommended motor is the A10-3T, the most powerful motor in the 13mm range. Even with this motor, the rocket is seriously underpowered.

The motor is friction fit and the rocket does not require wadding. it flies off a standard 3mm (1/8") rod. I used a shortened length rod (16 inches long).

She has flown three times now, each flight has been on a windy day (10mph+) and the rocket does not seem bothered by wind. All three flights were the same. It rarely gets above 50 feet, although the flights are reasonably straight and ejection of the motor is on the ground or within 10 feet of it.

Recovery:
Recovery is a kind of cross between air brake and tumble. The relatively large surface area and the lack of distance to fall means that the rocket comes in quite slow (for a rocket).

There has yet to be any damage, although I would not want it to land on concrete.

Flight Rating: 2 out of 5

Summary:
This is an odd looking rocket that can be flown safely in a small backyard. It is nearly indestructible and gives consistent but pretty lame flights. I probably won't be flying mine again, as I feel there's better things to put a motor in. (However, it might be interesting to drill out the core to take a 18m mount and fly on a B6)

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes RediRoc Raider By John Lee (August 11, 2009)

    Brief: While making a good faith effort to finish the rockets I had started, I once again found myself at the shop with glue and paint drying and nothing to do so I opened this "kit" in order to occupy a little time. Construction: The components of this rocket are nothing more than a white Styrofoam shell and a motor tube with a few crack and peel stickers to liven ...

Flights

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