Estes Terrier Sandhawk

Estes - Terrier/Sandhawk {Kit} (2083) [1993-1996]

Contributed by Yitah Wu

Diameter: 1.84 inches
Length: 46.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 4
Style: Scale
(Contributed - by Yitah Wu) 

This kit has been discontinued, but there's still more than a few floating around - I've seen some at out of the way hobby stores as recently as 6/97. 

I started this kit in 2/97, and finished most of the Sandhawk (less fins) and recently started to finish. 

The Sandhawk portion of this kit is the same as the old Sandhawk kit. Lots of plastic, both on the fin can and on the payload/nosecone section. The tool must be getting old or something as the fits are not great and there's some slight sink marks here and there. 

The kit is designed to be flown either as a Terrier-Booster with a  "Sandhawk" Nosecone, or as the Sandhawk alone.  I've heard that you can  electronically stage the Sandhawk, but don't see how this can be easily done since the adapter connects to the Sandhawk where the engine is. 

After reviewing Bob Wiersbe's information on this, it turns out you have to modify the Sandhawk Engine mount during construction of the  Sandhawk, so I'm SOL.  I'm going to try to scratch out my own Sandhawk to see if I can make this work. 

Construction is straightforward and simple, though  the engine mount instructions for the Terrier are confusing and garbled.  If you follow the diagram at the bottom showing the 2 centering rings to be 2" apart, you're okay - ignore everything else.  The Terrier fins are 2-piece plastic injection molded construction - High quality stuff, though I'm worried that the leading and trailing edges are too thin and will be easily damaged. 

Everything has been sanded and primed.  It's plain but fly-able. 

I haven't assembled the antennae yet, as I'm planning to do the piano wire modification that's recommended (The plastic ones break off too easily I'm told) 

More as I finish.... 

Flights

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