Crayola Crayon rocket question

Has anyone here actually "built" any one of the Crayola Crayon rocket "kits"?

I was under the impression that they were a very low skill level...or perhaps RTF...to appeal to kids and pre-teens... but then somebody had suggested it for an advanced 8-year old as a birthday present and I began to wonder.

My 20 year old daughter admired to simple graphics and design, but we didn't buy one at the last club launch. Now I'm wondering if we made the right decision or not.

What level IS it and what does it fly on?
Any advice would be of help. Thanks.

Are you talking about the Estes kits?

These?


https://www.bayarearocketry.com/BAR-Rocket-Kits_c150.htm

The estes ones are pretty much ready to fly. All you need to do is tie the shock cord to the nose cone and attach the parachute. The fins are part of the motor retainer and just twist on.



https://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/rtf/001-color-the-sky-rockets

edit:

I fly them on a b6-4 and it gets to about 150'. They aren't very high fliers due to the drag and weight.

As Derek said they take only minutes to prep.
Although not high fliers the kids love them, and they are great for very small launch areas.. They are colorful and don't rip off the pad, but instead offer a reasonably slow flight.
in my opinion Estes has a winner with this rocket for our youngest fliers!

The Estes crayon kits are nice. My daughter's crayon has probably been the most flown out of the fleet and I have even taped a camera to it once. If your 8 year old has built rockets before then this one is probably going to be too easy, but it is still a nice one for the fleet.

Kirk G said:

Has anyone here actually "built" any one of the Crayola Crayon rocket "kits"?

I was under the impression that they were a very low skill level...or perhaps RTF...to appeal to kids and pre-teens... but then somebody had suggested it for an advanced 8-year old as a birthday present and I began to wonder.

My 20 year old daughter admired to simple graphics and design, but we didn't buy one at the last club launch. Now I'm wondering if we made the right decision or not.

What level IS it and what does it fly on?
Any advice would be of help. Thanks.

Click to expand...

I think suggested it.

We have built 4 of these and they fly great on the Aerotech G motors (G53J G64W G76G G138T) and best of all the components are fairly inexpensive . Or is L1 capable also

Build of Materials:

ToysRUs Crayon Bank : https://www.toysrus.com/buy/money-banking/purple-giant-crayon-bank-200d12-12903965
Pair of 3.9" to 1.14" Centering Rings : https://wildmanrocketry.com/ProductDetail.aspx?product=1847
LOC 29mm Motor Mount Tube: https://wildmanrocketry.com/ProductDetail.aspx?product=1818
Estes 29mm Retainer : https://www.acsupplyco.com/estes/estes_9750_pro_series_29mm_motor_retainer_set.htm
ACME 3.9" Railguides : scroll down https://www.giantleaprocketry.com/products/components_launch_systems.aspx
20' 1/8" Kevlar : https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?59513-1-8-quot-750-Braided-Tubular-Kevlar-15-Cents-per-foot
4 fins : https://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-8-In-x-4-Ft-x-8-Ft-Plywood-833096/100535208
Pair of Airframe Bulkheads : https://www.wildmanrocketry.com/ProductDetail.aspx?product=1860
Coupler Bulkhead: https://www.wildmanrocketry.com/ProductDetail.aspx?product=1868
1/4" 2.5" Eyebolt: https://wildmanrocketry.com/ProductDetail.aspx?product=2860
30" Purple Chute (can be embroidered): https://rocketchutes.com/
12"x12" Nomex Chute : https://rocketchutes.com/
Chute Swivel: https://www.wildmanrocketry.com/ProductDetail.aspx?product=1128

We built ours by tracing a fin template onto the inexpensive plywood and cutting to size, Slotting tube for through the wall fins then cut nosecone and rear base. We made some fin guides from templates from payloadbay.com and made the fins paint ready before attaching. The secret is to put the rear centering ring in the rear base and recess motor mount tube forward 1/2 way . It moves the CG forward abit so only a minimal amount of nose weight is needed. Also the extra nose hardware adds a bit of weight forward for the same purpose .

If you are interested in pursuing can supply some more tips and templates .

Kenny

Derek said:

The estes ones are pretty much ready to fly. All you need to do is tie the shock cord to the nose cone and attach the parachute. The fins are part of the motor retainer and just twist on.

https://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/rtf/001-color-the-sky-rockets

edit:

I fly them on a b6-4 and it gets to about 150'. They aren't very high fliers due to the drag and weight.

Click to expand...

I wasn't aware of the BAR Crayon rockets. I guess I was thinking the Estes Crayon rocket but imagining them to be the Giant Toys are Us size! LOL!

My daughter is aged 20... and while capable of building from scratch, I doubt she has the patience for building something that complex, having never built nor "owned" a rocket before. (She's spend hours and days building a foam Anime costume for next years' comicCon or Anime Con... but I'm the rocketry fan here.)

So, I fear the RTF will be too simple for her, but if she could complete it during one club launch day and fly it before we went home, that could be cool. Anyone know of any good sales on the Estes rocket? (Color probably not important here.)