SkyWinder

Wanting to have some unusual rockets for demonstrations, I picked up this Estes SkyWinder. Although it's an E2X (easy-to-assemble) kit, it cried out for some extra finish work. I sanded and filled all the mold marks in the fin can and faired in the steps where the nosecone is joined, then applied a nice gloss black finish.

It looked great for its maiden flight, but I was concerned about whether the rotor blades were securely attached - the pins on which they hinge seemed too short to me.

Sure enough, on its one and only flight, it threw a rotor blade and crashed, kinking the body tube. Arrgggg!

All the black plastic sections had been painted. It looked great. I had sanded and applied Elmer's Fill 'n Finish to the base of the nosecone (below left) in order to smooth out the step where it is joined. I was very pleased with the outcome,

I have a replacement kit which I plan to build. I hope to be able to re-use the fin can and nosecone from this one - I have lots of work in them, and they're too nice to not use.

4-18-2004