Estes Super Neon XL

Estes - Super Neon XL {Kit} (002425) [?-2013]

Contributed by Gareth Williams

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2018-04-23
Diameter: 1.64 inches
Length: 35.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 3
Style: Ring/Tube/Cone Fin

Brief

The Super Neon XL from Estes is a tube-fin rocket with a beefy appearance and an E engine mount.  A taller rocket it really draws peoples attention on and off the launch pad.

Components

  • BT-60 body tube, and tube fins
  • larger balsa ogive nose cone.
  • smaller balsa fins attach to the tube fins.
  • Two large decals for main body tube allow for a personal touch when finishing.

Construction

This the the third rocket I ever made.  Easy to read instructions. Easy to build design.

Really nice nose cone for the price of the kit ($16.99 cnd).  Tube fins and balsa fins were a bit tricky but patience and steady hands did the trick.

Finished product is strong and sleek.

Finishing

Filled all the Body tube spiral with watered down elmers wood filler.

Did not prime this one as it was one of the first rockets I ever made, but still got a great finish.

My three year old decided that he wanted a purple and silver rocket.  So we swapped the lime green body paint for metallic purple, and painted the tube fins metallic silver.  Fins were done the same color as the body.

We used the silver decal which turned out great.

Construction Score: 5

Flight

This rocket has flown on both D and E engines. 3 flights to date,many more to come :)

Always a straight true flight.

Not sure about altitudes.

The last flight was on an E engine, during which the Chute never deploy.  The nosecone ejected but the Chute stuck at the top of the tube.  The rocket floated back to earth at a relatively slow rate, landing in the snow(it was january).  No damage.

 

Recovery

No cons.  Everyone in the family loves this rocket.

Pros: Strong design, nice straight flight every time, easy on the eyes too.

 

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

For someone looking to try a D or E engine rocket this is a great starting point.

Easy to build, but not a cookie cutter E2X rocket.  This one does take some time and patience, that any builder can be proud of.

It will be a while before I find a rocket I like better then this one.

Rockets in my collection

  • Estes:
    • Crossfire
    • Amazon
    • Ricochet
    • Satellite interceptor
    • Equinox
    • Loadstar 2
    • Super Neon XL
    • Extreme 12

 

 

Overall Rating: 5
Other Reviews
  • Estes Super Neon XL By Gregg Discenza (August 21, 2010)

    Brief: The Super Neon XL from Estes is a modified tube-fin rocket with a beefy appearance and an E engine mount. As one of the taller Estes kits, it is certain to draw a crowd among the E2X flyers. Construction: The only exceptional thing about this kit is the high-quality balsa nose cone. right out of the bag it had a good weight to it, and with wood filler and gloss paint it is a ...

  • Estes Super Neon XL By Donald Besaw Jr (April 14, 2010)

    Brief: This is a new, upscaled version of the well known Estes Super Neon kit and it's a biggie at 35 inches tall and 1.6 inches (BT-60) in diameter. This new kit flies on 24mm D and E motors up to 975 feet and is recovered on a 24 inch parachute. Although it took well over 2 years for this kit to be released, it's finally here at last!!! Construction: This kit comes in a big ...

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