Estes Astron Sprint XL

The Estes Astron Sprint XL is a new model displayed in the 2013 Estes catalog.

It is an upscale release of the original Spint model designed by Mike Dorffler and is noted in the XL instructions.

My kit is a pre-production/review sample but should be quite similar to the final release.

The model has a length of 22.8" and is based around a BT-60 body tube. A plastic nose cone and boat tail along with laser-cut fins will make this model a faster build and easier to finish.

The motors listed for the model range from the C11 to the E12.

Hate the plastic, but a nice kit. Can't wait to build one.

Dang it Bob, there you go showin off again.... man I wish I could get a rocket BEFORE it's released.......BTW, I painted my Mega Mosquito...... You know this is all in good fun

Boosterdude said:

Hate the plastic, but a nice kit. Can't wait to build one.

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I like plastic nose cones/fins/fin cans, etc.

My Sprint XL is built and has been painted white. Just a little bit more work and it will be done.

I will post pictures. :wink:

kelltym88 said:

BTW, I painted my Mega Mosquito......

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I will be attending the SCRA launch on March 2nd with the Sprint XL. Why don't you bring out your painted Mega Mosquito to fly. :wink:

My Astron Sprint XL model is finished!

W/O motor it weighs in at 4.0 oz. That's a little heavier than the mfgs listed mass. I do tend to use a lot of filler/primer/paint/clear coat. :wink:

First flight will be this Saturday.

Your Sprint sure looks good sitting on the new Estes Display Stands. :blush:


Jonh Boren

Initiator001 said:

My Astron Sprint XL model is finished!

...

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That's a beauty Bob, looking forward to a flight report. I've always had a soft spot for that rocket. Something about those elliptical shapes. This and the SkyDart are just too sexy, if I can use that term to describe a rocket .

Whatcha gonna fly it on? Grimracer flew his on an E30T at our Indiana Rocketry September launch... it was too fast to catch on camera but at least I got a static shot! Something slower would be good if you plan to get a photo

Initiator001 said:

I will be attending the SCRA launch on March 2nd with the Sprint XL. Why don't you bring out your painted Mega Mosquito to fly. :wink:

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I would love too.... but I've just got too many things to take care of this weekend......some day

Initiator001 said:

My Astron Sprint XL model is finished!

W/O motor it weighs in at 4.0 oz. That's a little heavier than the mfgs listed mass. I do tend to use a lot of filler/primer/paint/clear coat. :wink:

First flight will be this Saturday.

View attachment 119692

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That turned out really nice, Bob.

JumpJet said:

Your Sprint sure looks good sitting on the new Estes Display Stands. :blush:


Jonh Boren

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Yes it does.

Thanks, John.

Now, how about some display stands which fit 29mm motor mounts? :wink:

Initiator001 said:

The Estes Astron Sprint XL is a new model displayed in the 2013 Estes catalog.

It is an upscale release of the original Spint model designed by Mike Dorffler and is noted in the XL instructions.

My kit is a pre-production/review sample but should be quite similar to the final release.

The model has a length of 22.8" and is based around a BT-60 body tube. A plastic nose cone and boat tail along with laser-cut fins will make this model a faster build and easier to finish.

The motors listed for the model range from the C11 to the E12.

View attachment 116715 View attachment 116716

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Cool.

Initiator001 said:

My Astron Sprint XL model is finished!

W/O motor it weighs in at 4.0 oz. That's a little heavier than the mfgs listed mass. I do tend to use a lot of filler/primer/paint/clear coat. :wink:

First flight will be this Saturday.

View attachment 119692

Click to expand...

Very nice, great job!

daveyfire said:

Whatcha gonna fly it on? Grimracer flew his on an E30T at our Indiana Rocketry September launch... it was too fast to catch on camera but at least I got a static shot! Something slower would be good if you plan to get a photo

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First flight will be a C11-3 or D12-5 depending on weather/field conditions.

I plan to take pictures and post them here.

An AeroTech SU F32T motor would be even more 'impressive'. :wink:

Boosterdude said:

Very nice, great job!

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Thank you, John.

Now I just need to find out how it flies.

Initiator001 said:

An AeroTech SU F32T motor would be even more 'impressive'. :wink:

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Uhh..not at the dam...save that for Lucerne or Ocotillo.....

Initiator001 said:

Thank you, John.

Now I just need to find out how it flies.

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No worries, it's going to fly great!

Boosterdude said:

No worries, it's going to fly great!

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It did! I have a couple of great pictures of the flight. But I will wait until Bob posts as I know he too was taking photos. Don't want to steal his thunder.

I few pics of the Sprint XL are in this set from yesterday

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffgortatowsky/sets/72157632898493445/with/8523540928/

Saturday was a great day for flying rockets in Los Angeles.

Temp in the 80's, little or no wind.

A fine day to have a first flight on a new model rocket.

I prepped my new Estes Astron Sprint XL model with an Estes C11-3 motor.

The model left the pad quickly after motor ignition.

An excellent flight with a landing in some soft green weeds.

No damage.

The Sprint XL was an straight-forward build. The use of a plastic nose and tail cone along with laser-cut fins made the build much easier than the original version.

It's a good looking model in the stock paint scheme.

Keep bringing out the 'upscale'/XL kits Estes!

This




And this

Thanks for the report and pictures fellas. What a classic and classy design. The spectators you captured in your shots didn't seem to interested, Bob. Young whippersnappers !

Great detail on your liftoff shots, Jeff. Is that a fairing for the motor hook molded into the boat tail ?

A big +1 on more upscale XL kits Estes !

A short digression: On the day my avatar picture was taken (spring '72) I sacrificed my original Sprint to the sky because I blinked at ignition and it was gone on a C6.

samb said:

Thanks for the report and pictures fellas. What a classic and classy design. The spectators you captured in your shots didn't seem to interested, Bob. Young whippersnappers !

Great detail on your liftoff shots, Jeff. Is that a fairing for the motor hook molded into the boat tail ?

A big +1 on more upscale XL kits Estes !

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The motor hook fairing is molded into the plastic boat tail.

Initiator001 said:

The motor hook fairing is molded into the plastic boat tail.

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Wonderful, thank you.

I have one on my build table right now--nice kit, it's looking good so far.

Can it be flown on a B-motor (18mm with adapter)?

Perhaps a B6-2.....