Quest HL-20 Lifting Body

Quest - HL-20 {Kit} (2008) [1994-2010]

Contributed by Eric Miller

Construction Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstar_borderstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: Quest
Style: Futuristic/Exotic, Glider

Prepping the RocketBrief:
This rocket was a bargain. My wife got it for me on he clearance rack for $.99. I was disappointed, at first, since the entire rocket is made of painted construction paper except for the nose cone and engine mount.

Construction:
This kit included a paper shroud body, plastic nose cone and cockpit. Fins are paper also. There is a streamer include in kit and it is used to recover the ejecting engine.

Quest has good detailed instructions. This kit was a snap to put together. Just assemble the engine mount, glue on the nose cone and wrap the pre-painted body shroud around it. I used wood glue for all the paper parts, that way I didn't have to waste a lot of time trying to hold the shroud together. I did experience some confusion on how to mount the streamer retainer. In the end I glued the piece of paper I cut out to the back end of the streamer retention tube. I figured that way the ejection charge would blow the spent engine out and carry the streamer out the rear (bottom) of the streamer retention tube. BTW the engine is attached to the streamer by masking tape...it worked.

Finishing:
There is really not much to say about finishing it is a pre-printed shroud that is supposed to look futuristic. You can paint the cockpit whatever color you like. I painted mine black.

Construction Rating: 3 out of 5

Take OffFlight:
I used an A8-3 for the only flight. This is the interesting part and any comments would be welcome. I fired the rocket and it did a couple loop-de-loops and ejected the charge and fell to the earth. Not stable. Perhaps a bigger engine. The rocket was supposed to go up fire out the engine with the streamer attached so it wouldn't bonk anyone in the head and then glide back to the ground. Probably need to experiment with this one more.

Flight Rating: 1 out of 5

Summary:
This turned out to be a cute little rocket. I nice flight would have really enhanced the $.99 deal. But as it was I felt like nothing gained nothing ventured.

Overall Rating: 2 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Quest HL-20 Lifting Body By Dave Sutter

    The Quest X-30 Aerospace plane caught my eye, and it was on sale at Magnum for $4. 50, but I was a little wary of the paper shroud construction.   Well, the Quest HL-20 uses paper shroud construction, too, and it was also on sale, for $2. 50, and it's supposed to be easier. I figured I'd try the HL-20 as an introduction to paper shroud construction. (I got two of each just in case. ) ...

  • Quest HL-20 Lifting Body By Chris Taylor Jr.

    Packaging and quality average; not spectacular but not bad either. I would have to say 4 out of 5 though because the Aeroshroud looks really nice and saves a lot of finish work. The package came as a bag with cardboard picture. The aeroshroud, tube, nose cone, and centering rings were inside with the directions. The directions were thorough and easy to follow (well written). The only part in ...

  • Quest HL-20 Lifting Body By Alan Rognlie

    I had a Centuri MF-24 Bug years ago and the Quest HL-20 reminded me a lot of that kit.   This lifting-body boost glider is based on Aeroshroud technology. Translated, that's a printed paper wrapper. ;-) It looks to me like this model was strongly "inspired" by the old Centuri MF-24 Bug - with some "improvements". The only significant(?) differences I see between the two are:  ...

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