Estes Air Commander

[billeblurzz]

In the mix of 4 rocket builds…Estes Odyssey…Sirius SS Cestris…Estes BOSS…Estes Red Nova, I started and finished this Estes Air Commander. Funny I never ordered this or even heard of it before…it just came with another order of Estes rockets as I remember! Two stage D powered!…maybe should be called So Long I?

 

[smstachwick]

In the mix of 4 rocket builds…Estes Odyssey…Sirius SS Cestris…Estes BOSS…Estes Red Nova, I started and finished this Estes Air Commander. Funny I never ordered this or even heard of it before…it just came with another order of Estes rockets as I remember! Two stage D powered!…maybe should be called So Long I?View attachment 562862

The instructions on the Estes site are copyright dated to 2010-2011.

https://estesrockets.com/wp-content/uploads/Instructions/003219_AIR_COMMANDER.pdf
It’s in the 2011 catalog but is long discontinued.

https://estesrockets.com/wp-content/uploads/Catalogs/Estes_2011_Catalog.pdf

 

[billeblurzz]

Ok thanks! I guess they needed to clear space in warehouse. I liked the suggested color scheme but was out of the brass/gold color…maybe the red will be easier to find.

 

[MALBAR 70]

I usually fly mine on a D12-0 to a C11-7. It doesn't go all that high on this combo.

 

[dpower]

I remember Estes blowing these out direct - I picked up a couple, still haven't built one. I do like the design.

 

[billeblurzz]

Yesterday I had an epic launch, for me anyway as to height of a flight, with the Air Commander!

 

[billeblurzz]

The wind was low, 4mph from the SW to NE, so I went with a D12-0 to a C11-5! I was concerned about losing the booster in the grass as I was going to watch for the second stage!

 

[billeblurzz]

But the booster was spinning and fluttering down not too far from pad…never saw sustainer after burnout to coast!

 

[K'Tesh]

My sample was sent to JimZ, I'm still awaiting the chance to physically take possession. However, his site has the info up now...

https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/est3219.htm

 

[billeblurzz]

 

[billeblurzz]

I found booster from pad with red coupler sticking up!

 

[billeblurzz]

Finally saw ejection charge smoke…but still no sustainer!

 

[billeblurzz]

Finally I picked up yellow chute we’ll after ejection but so high up…and drifting well away towed tree line even with a small 9” chute!

 

[billeblurzz]

It did come down within field! Still had trouble finding it after long walk! I would never need a D12 in sustainer! Don’t want to lose it!

 

[billeblurzz]

View attachment FullSizeRender.MOV

 

[billeblurzz]

Finished the Red Nova!

 

[smstachwick]

Yeah, I like to start small. I would have flown the multistager on C11s. I’m glad you got it back though!