Estes 36 D Squared

Estes - 36 D Squared {Kit} (2119) [2005-2009]

Contributed by Ben Davidson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 2.22 inches
Length: 36.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 2
Style: Cluster

Rocket Pic

Brief:
This is a new Cluster rocket from Estes which has a payload section and a nice parachute recovery system.

Construction:
The kit was complete and well organized. It uses basic Estes components except for two transitions which are new. These are used to expose two BT50 tubes just forward of the fin area. These tubes form the motor mounts and are supported by 4 paper motor mount rings.

This rocket was relatively easy to build overall. The only tricky part was to make the transitions from the BT70 tubes to the inner BT50 tubes. The plastic transitions need to be test fitted several times before gluing to ensure that the tubes all fit properly. I used gorilla glue instead of the plastic cement to glue the plastic transitions to the paper tubes.

The payload transition was a little loose and wobbly and needed a wrap of tape to get a nice firm fit. the nose cone was also loose and a wrap of tape made it fit just right.

Finishing:
Pros: Good instructions, good fitting parts overall

Cons: I thought the Transitions to expose the inner tubes were not required. The aft one leaves an exposed gap around the exposed tubes that would increase the drag.

The other con is the fins. For me they stick out to far behind the main tube and look like they will need some repair after a few flights.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I have flown this rocket 3 times now all on D12-5 motors. All three flights have been successful.

An odd thing happened on the first flight. Only one of the two motors attained ignition at lift-off. However, the second motor did ignite a few seconds after lift off. This caused a little trouble when the first motor ejected and the second was still in thrust mode. It appeared that the rocket blew up at that moment however everything worked out fine and after the second motor ejected a big puff of white smoke.

Recovery:
The recovery system is the standard Estes elastic cord and plastic chute. This all worked great.

I will replace the elastic with Kevlar string when the time comes. Hopefully prior to the flight when the elastic breaks.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
The rocket looks great on the launch pad although I did not do the paint scheme that Estes has on the package.

Good straight flights with a nice recovery.

This would make a great present for a 12 to 14 year old that wants to move up in difficulty.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes 36 D Squared By John Lee (August 9, 2008)

    Brief: Two 24mm motor cluster, skill level 2, payload section, parachute recovery. This is a strange looking rocket that only gets stranger the more you think about it, but it is a good performer. It's not too difficult to build but a bit more challenging to paint if you want to use the default scheme on the facecard. Construction: Construction begins with the marking of ...

  • Estes 36 D Squared By John R. Brandon III (March 7, 2008)

    Brief: This is a big hammer-headed rocket for double D-engine power and recovers with a big parachute. Construction: Kit came in the typical plastic bag. Consists of: Plastic nose cone A plastic transition BT60 payload section 2 BT50 motor tubes 2 AR2050 centering rings used as thrust rings 2 different lengths of BT70 One serves as a fin can ...

  • Estes 36 D Squared By Doug Szczepanski (March 30, 2007)

    A unique 2 D sized, cluster engine rocket, with a 24" parachute recovery system. This is a large, beautiful rocket. The look had to grow on me a little, my first impression of the look was only so-so, but once it was finished and sitting on my desk. I had totally gotten into this unique look. I can say, that I don't have another rocket quite like it in my fleet. The 36D starts out with a ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
J.D. (March 19, 2007)
When I built this kit I had a headach.The transition to the to different tubes wouldn't fit into the BT-70 tubes, so I had to cut to fit them. Though my friend didn't give me the instructions so I don't know if you supposed to or not.

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