Estes Eliminator XL

[Initiator001]

The Eliminator XL model is a new rocket sold in a starter set.

With that heritage Enerjet fin unit and nose cone this was a model I wanted.

It's an RTF rocket which requires only 10-15 minutes for final assembly. The Eliminator XL can be flown with D12, E9 or E12 motors (I have yet to check if AeroTech E15, E20, E30 or F35 motors will fit in the model).

Instead of a motor hook used by the standard Eliminator model, the XL version uses a twist-ring motor retention method like the one found on the Blue Ninja kit. It has a long shock cord and it looks to be a 24" diameter parachute.

I look forward to giving it a flight test soon.

[Green Jello]

Cool rocket, but interesting that Estes would make a RTF model that can take mid power engines. I don't see a huge market for this.

[Initiator001]

Cool rocket, but interesting that Estes would make a RTF model that can take mid power engines. I don't see a huge market for this.

I was talking to Mike Fritz (Estes Marketing Director) about this same thought at NARAM-54. Mike said Estes wanted to create a more 'adult' launch set with a larger rocket which was easy to get ready to fly.

Estes is trying out many ideas some of which are probably to 'test the waters'.

[JimZNJ]

That is a rocket I want to get. It is good to hear that it can handle the longer E motors. I don't really need the whole set though, so I'll keep my eye out for good deals on the package.

The regular Eliminator has always been one of my favorite rockets. I had countless flights on mine until an E12 destroyed it a couple weeks back. The Eliminator XL would be a nice replacement. A Hi-Flier fan too, I have my eye on the Hi-Flier XL also.

Jim Z

[paul.nortness]

A Hi-Flier fan too, I have my eye on the Hi-Flier XL also.

Jim Z

+1

The Hi Flyer XL looks really interesting

[chadrog]

+1

The Hi Flyer XL looks really interesting

It's a great flier on a D12-3.

[JPVegh]

I can see the idea behind a RTF MPR. It's a marketing ploy to move the new motors.

[dugliss]

The Eliminator has been a favorite of mine since I got back into rocketry. It is simply one of the nicest fliers in my fleet. I have two of the kit 1950 Eliminators. One is stock; the other is a mod using BT55 and standard centering rings on the MMT. This makes it about 2 oz. lighter and according to OR, it will apogee at 1550' on E9s. The pics are of my Eliminator mod taken over the last two weekends. This rocket used to be rated by Estes as a SK2 but was downgraded to E2X last year. This was probably a good decision on their part although as a model builder, it makes me a little sad. It is interesting that Estes would market an Eliminator that is 44" tall. I wonder If it will hit it's advertised apogee of 1400', since it would be heavier. A drag race between the XL and the standard Eliminator would be fun. I would also like to try launching the 1950 on the new E12 engines once Estes works the bugs out of it. I read on the forums of frequent catos with these engines. I tend to shy away from buying RTF rockets, but I may bite if they market it without the launch set.

[KenRico]

Hey Initiator , did you catch the Cosmic Interceptor shows shipping at Estes ?

Kenny

[Initiator001]

Hey Initiator , did you catch the Cosmic Interceptor shows shipping at Estes ?

Kenny

I saw the Cosmic Interceptor and two other futuristic kits not yet on the Estes website while I was at NARAM-54.

[Tarasdad]

I'm liking that one on the left! Does that say Rogue Voyager?

[KenRico]

I saw the Cosmic Interceptor and two other futuristic kits not yet on the Estes website while I was at NARAM-54.

You ROCK ! Thanks for sharing .

[Initiator001]

I'm liking that one on the left! Does that say Rogue Voyager?

Yes, it does.

The model in the center is named Black Star Voyager.

[shreadvector]

Rockets with tube fins where the front of the tube fins are located in front of the center of gravity can be a real stability problem. It looks like they added large conventional fins to counteract the desatabilizing effect of the way too long fin tubes that extend too far forward.

[Disaster_Guy]

The model in the center is named Black Star Voyager.

Added to my want list for sure!

[cwbullet]

The Eliminator XL model is a new rocket sold in a starter set.

With that heritage Enerjet fin unit and nose cone this was a model I wanted.

It's an RTF rocket which requires only 10-15 minutes for final assembly. The Eliminator XL can be flown with D12, E9 or E12 motors (I have yet to check if AeroTech E15, E20, E30 or F35 motors will fit in the model).

Instead of a motor hook used by the standard Eliminator model, the XL version uses a twist-ring motor retention method like the one found on the Blue Ninja kit. It has a long shock cord and it looks to be a 24" diameter parachute.

I look forward to giving it a flight test soon.

I love that rocket. I can't wait to loft one.

[Tarasdad]

Just looked over the instructions for the Black Star Voyager - holy heck is hat one complex build!! 30 fins, three of which are assembled from multiple pieces. Three outer and one inner body tubes. parts list is so long it goes past Z!

[MarkII]

I love the idea of a mid-power RTF kit! I love building but there are times when I just want to get something together to launch without a lot of hassle. (When you have projects on the bench that are going into their fifth year, you get like that.) I am almost afraid to say this, but some of the new RTF stuff that Estes has been coming out with lately actually looks kinda nice. They aren't all just the same old rockets with different graphics.

[Initiator001]

I flew my Eliminator XL rocket at the SCRA sport launch this past Saturday, August 18th.

I put a D12-5 motor in it. The model comes with a 24" diameter paracute which may be bigger than needed. As there was a slight breeze I decided to reef the parachute to cut down on the drift (I had already cut out a spill-hole in the center of the parachute).

I discovered while loading the model on a 3/16" launch rod that the upper molded launch lug had too small an inside diameter and the launch rod would not fit. A few minutes with my pocketknife opened the hole enough to let the launch rod slide through.

The model launched smartly into the SoCal sky. Recovery was still a walk but not as far as it could have been.

I like this model and will keep it available as one of my 'go-to' rockets.

[awseiger]

With a little modification, I wonder just how big of a motor one could throw in one of these... The plastic fin cans are quite strong. A CTI super-24mm motor and a streamer could be fun.

Also, +1 on the Hi-Flier. Every time I see one fly it amazes me. It really rips! Easily could fly on a C6-3, but an E9 is awesome! Oh, and an F30 will put it to 2000'....