Estes Curvilinear Model Rocket Kit

Fun to build, just be careful with fins. The slot in them makes the a bit fragile when inserting the ring.

There are several unusual design features to the Curvilinear. It's so short and fat as to be almost cartoonish. You could imagine Wile E. Coyote buying a pair of these from Acme and strapping them to roller skates. A secondary ring fin adds a nice retro-future aesthetic. Finally, despite a relatively heavy weight and not-so-sleek profile, the Curvilinear is designed for the low powered A10-3T mini engine. With this mismatch, you won't ever be accused of being overly ambitious.That ring fin causes some construction problems. The four balsa fins have thin channels to accommodate the ring, resulting in a weak point. Two of the fins broke at that point during assembly, but they were easily repaired. Also, the instruction don't mention that you'll need to complete painting before final assembly, as the ring fin obscures the body tube after it's attached. It's probably closer to a Skill Level 2 kit, and I wouldn't recommend it for a newbie.The Curvilinear is ideal for small launch sites or windy days. The claimed maximum altitude of only 175' means you'll never lose sight of it in the clouds, and it's unlikely to drift too far from the pad. Also, that sexy ring fin might actually be functional, as it flies very true. Be sure to stick enough wadding into the fat body tube, as the parachute sits close to the engine mount. After about ten flights, my 'chute has a fair amount of heat damage.In summary, a funky design leads to some compromises in construction and performance. Still, I'd buy it again just for the looks. Yes, I am that shallow.

This is a great rocket - you will need hobby building supplies such as a razor knife, glue and paints. You need to assemble this kit and will then need a launch set and motors to fly.