Estes Ascender F27R

[Scott Chase]

I had a Estes Ascender in the box for some time now. I finished the paint and graphics today. The VHT dries super fast here in Florida. The reason I put the F27R on the rocket is because it will never fly on anything less and it will never burn black powder.
Aerotech all the way last launch of a different Ascender Apogee 1230ft. Next is the F26J maybe around the 1600ft apogee.

 

[OC-Patrick]

Where did you get the graphics?

 

[Scott Chase]

Where did you get the graphics?

Sticker Shock
the owner is Mark

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

It looks good.

Another single use Aerotech Econojet F motor I like is the F20. That would give it a nice flight to between the 1200’ you got on the F27 and the 1600’ you expect on the F26. And if the F26 works out, the F25 is just a bit bigger and has a white propellant.

Aerotech also makes the Economax line which includes the F67, but I think that one might be a bit fast for an Ascender. One failure I’ve seen with these rockets is the fins sometimes split where the two plastic halves are glued together if the rocket gets going too fast. You could wrap a strip of electrical tape over the leading edge if you go for more aggressive motors.

 

[5x7]

You could wrap a strip of electrical tape over the leading edge if you go for more aggressive motors.

I think clear packing tape would be effective and won’t ruin the great graphics. I have made home decals with good packing tape overlain that are still good now after 25 years.

 

[neil_w]

I think clear packing tape would be effective and won’t ruin the great graphics. I have made home decals with good packing tape overlain that are still good now after 25 years.

Even plain old cellophane tape (i.e. Scotch tape) does the trick just fine. Dunno if it lasts 25 years though.

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

Clear tape sounds like a good option. The point is to seal that glued joint from the airstream, so I'm sure a lot of different products would be good for that.

 

[DankMemes]

It looks good.

Another single use Aerotech Econojet F motor I like is the F20. That would give it a nice flight to between the 1200’ you got on the F27 and the 1600’ you expect on the F26. And if the F26 works out, the F25 is just a bit bigger and has a white propellant.

Aerotech also makes the Economax line which includes the F67, but I think that one might be a bit fast for an Ascender. One failure I’ve seen with these rockets is the fins sometimes split where the two plastic halves are glued together if the rocket gets going too fast. You could wrap a strip of electrical tape over the leading edge if you go for more aggressive motors.

I Can attest that the F67 is a good fit for these Pros series E2X rockets, good kick off the pad, and consistent flights to about 1500 feet, so good for medium sized fields, and with that speed I rarely see weathercocking, I have flown my majestic, trajector, and ascender on them multiple times. Haven't had to tape the fins with f67, but I should as I did crack a fin on my majestic when flown on a G77Redline, but those are glued fro the factory, so don't have a very clean seam. won't hurt to tape and even some masking tape would likely work just fine and won't mar the finish.

G Motors can be flown in these easily as well, as long as you leave the engine block out, i fly my hobbyline reloads in there when I have a large enough field, but a G64 or 76, definitely puts it out of visual range at apogee, so good to have spotters.

 

[Scott_650]

View attachment 418865
I had a Estes Ascender in the box for some time now. I finished the paint and graphics today. The VHT dries super fast here in Florida. The reason I put the F27R on the rocket is because it will never fly on anything less and it will never burn black powder.
Aerotech all the way last launch of a different Ascender Apogee 1230ft. Next is the F26J maybe around the 1600ft apogee.

Nice! The Estes PSII E2X kits are fun to gussy up and/or mod. I have a wrap from Stickershock ready to make my shortened Mammoth into a profile scale Black Brant II. My other Mammoth has a custom wrap from Chris that looks awesome - acid green flames and renamed Mammuthus!

Curious as to your aversion to the Estes 29mm BP motors - they work perfectly in the E2X rockets and are a hoot to watch. Not critical, just wondering...

 

[beeblebrox]

I call that rocket the "Descender" because it is a bit too heavy for the Estes motors... Glue the fins together with liquid plastic cement making sure that all mating surfaces are covered with it. I have seen those fins come apart when someone does not glue them properly. (Either during boost with F-motors or upon landing regardless of motor) I flew mine (after crashing it with the recommended motors 2 stage, went horizontal then staged onto the ground, F15-0 to E16-6) With a motor I designed, a butt kicker G146-10. It held up just fine, next flight will be an H of some sort... Make sure you leave the thrust ring out when building it and design a motor retainer that works with a masking tape thrust ring or AeroTech type thrust ring on the motor....

 

[Scott Chase]

Nice! The Estes PSII E2X kits are fun to gussy up and/or mod. I have a wrap from Stickershock ready to make my shortened Mammoth into a profile scale Black Brant II. My other Mammoth has a custom wrap from Chris that looks awesome - acid green flames and renamed Mammuthus!

Curious as to your aversion to the Estes 29mm BP motors - they work perfectly in the E2X rockets and are a hoot to watch. Not critical, just wondering...

It's just my preference to use AeroTech motors I guess it's the selection.