Estes Dark Zero Model Rocket Kit

This is a fine starter kit rocket. The motor mount is unique for 18 mm engines and provides for a very tight fit. The 3 fins are razor sharp plastic fins. I had a bit of a challenge making the angles 120 degrees apart. The fins and launch lugs are through the fuselage and integrated into the motor mount. The shock cord retainer is also unique in that it is mounted through the fuselage into an external lug. This actually gives the benefit of being able to replace the shock cord later. The nose cone is actually extended to a coupler. This forward section can easily be converted to be a payload section. The parts are molded in color so no paint is required. I will likely paint it gray, white and red. Model cement is the only glue required to build the kit, which can be done in about an hour. I am impressed with the kit so far. What is great is the part about no sanding balsa wood fins. The design is military looking, and can be made more so with primer and paint. Looking forward to seeing this launch.

Estes Dark Zero Model Rocket: I wish more were made this way! Our first launch was an amazing experience as it shot up into the air so fast and seem to disappear for a few moments it certainly went further than I anticipated on a starter engine(B4-4) and the parachute carried it a good distance away too, but we recovered it easy enough. It's also great that it's inexpensive and if you do loose the rocket it's not hard to get another. The only disappointment was that the shock cord / round end piece on the front of the rocket appears to protrude inside the rocket and effected the parachute ejection operation. The parachute itself was deployed, it was burned a little and the recovery wadding did not eject as it was caught by the round piece shock cord attachment assembly.

Was pretty easy to assemble and flew really well. Built this for a cub scout model rocket event with our Den.