Any sightings or other news?
rex

So has anyone purchased and built this model yet?


John Boren

I've purchased 2: one for a friend and one for me. They should both be here next week sometime. Also bought 3 Skydart II's, a little crossfire, and a V-2. Can't wait for them to get here, but AC Supply is quick!

Great lookin' rockets, John!

Allen

I just purchased one - can't wait for it to arrive!

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Bill Cooke
NAR #31312
TRA #19705
SAM #0001
Huntsville, AL

My rocket blog
My rocket fleet

well according to UPS mine is in transit as I type . the WOOSH president has one that he has built (see here; http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=11323 ). I had been worried that mine wasn't going to arrive in time...however being 7" short of rain means I should have enough time to build it.
rex

Just got my pair of Smokes in; only have had the chance to open a bag so far. A fine looking kit that should build quickly and easily. Hope to start construction tonight.

The booster for my Nike-Tomahawk semi-scale is here!

-Eric-

Everyone needs to go out and get a Smoke.

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SAM # 0011

Make that two please, or three if you insist.


John Boren

Was able to open up the kit and do a bit of work on the bird last night. I can say with all honesty that this is one of my favorite offerings from Estes since I started flying regularly in the early 90's. Didn't take any photos last night, but I will as the build progresses.

Started off with the motor mount. Centering rings fit the motor mount tube well. I did add epoxy a short section of 1/2" tubular nylon to the motor mount to replace the tri-fold mount. After tacking the middle CR at the prescribed location, the remaining forward and aft CR's were epoxied into place.

The fins were next. They are amazing! For all you plastic haters out there, get over it! There is no way you could replicate the 6 tapers on each fin using balsa/bass without an exceptional amount of time and talent. The fin halves are joined together; I used ZAP medium CA and a few clamps. The halves arrived warp free and glued together gap free without issue. Quad thumbs up for excellent quality fins!!!! I've built a 1.3", 4", 11.5", and now this 3" Nike; these fins are by far the best looking, easiest to assemble of the lot. Again, job well done here, Estes crew!

Onto the main airframe. The 3" airframe is lightweight, similar to Semroc SLS series; definitely a lesser wall thickness than Loc. It was nice, with a few small wrinkles in the glassine layer of paper. I sealed both ends with thin CA, then put on two coats of primer, sanding with 320, then 400 grit paper in between and the finish was fine! No need to fill spirals here! 2 coats of Rusto 2X gloss black was applied to the airframe.

I then proceeded to cut the top off of the beautiful Smoke cone at the nice indentation molded into the cone

That's where I stopped for the night; if I have a bit of time, I have no doubt I can complete assembly this evening. This puppy builds quick!

Quality kit! Well done, Estes!!!!

-Eric-

Any practical ideas on making this thing actually smoke that is safety code compliant?


Bill

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