Estes X-Fliers

Estes - X-Fliers {Kit}

Contributed by Michael P. Morley with Alex Morley

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1

Rocket PicBrief:
I received the Estes X-Flyers as a gift from our neighbor Zachary. The kit is one of Estes Ready-Built series and includes two rockets, one yellow and blue, and one black and purple. This kit was packaged in plastic and came in a box and cost $14.99. A pretty good deal for two rockets.

Construction:
No construction on a Ready Built just attach the chute and jam in an engine.

Finishing:
The X-Flyers are cool looking, nice colors and very sleek and futuristic looking. The only issue I have with the rockets is the body tubes are a tight fit for parachutes. These rockets are light and may have been better with streamers.

Construction Rating: 4

Flight:
Both rockets received Estes A8-3 engines. They were out of site because of the sleek style, manufactured finish and light weight. Both rockets performed very well.

Recovery:
The second flight of the purple and black X-Flyer came down fast on a tangled chute. Both were recovered no damage. If you use a B or C engine have lots of spotters and big field.

Flight Rating: 4

Summary:
Overall the X-Flyers receive a solid four. Two rockets for the price of one, you can get out and launch immediately and they rock on an A8-3. Cons are they may drift far on a chute (especially if you use a C engine) and secondly the narrow body tubes.

Overall Rating: 4

Other Reviews
  • Estes X-Fliers By Michael P. Morley with Alex Morley (May 30, 2007)

    Brief: The Estes X-Flyers is a kit in the “Launchables“ series which contains two easy-to-build pre-decorated model rockets. Alex, age 10 at the time, built both rockets in under ten minutes each without adult assistance. Construction: The two rockets are referred to in the kit as “X-Flyer #1” and “X-Flyer #2.” X-Flyer #1 is 15.25” long. It ...

  • Estes X-Fliers By Mark Fisher

    The X-Flyers are BT-20-based, minimum diameter birds that even with their full-length tube wraps, weigh practically nothing. Both employ the plastic fin can of the Nike Arrow resulting in relatively low drag. Modifications: Recovery system and engine mount, as detailed below. Specifications given are for X-flyer #1. X-flyer #2 differs very little, both in parts content and flight ...

Flights

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