The Estes Yankees may be compact in size, but it possesses the remarkable ability to reach impressive altitudes. With its streamlined design, slender fins, and lightweight frame, this rocket is extremely lightweight enabling it to soar to unprecedented heights. The instructions are very straightforward making this rocket a perfect choice for any beginner in model rocketry.
Build
This rocket is relatively easy to make with the instructions provided. If you have larger hands, be ready for a bit of a challenge due to the rocket’s small size. Take your time cutting and gluing the fins onto the body for the best results. I followed the recommended red, white, and blue colors for painting and was really happy with how the rocket turned out.
Launch
Impressive! This rocket reaches remarkable heights in flight. Weighing only 0.4 oz, it’s among the tiniest and lightest rockets I’ve ever assembled. Its compact size, however, poses a challenge to track the rocket once it is in the air.
Recovery
If there’s one aspect I’d consider altering in this rocket, it’s the provided orange streamer. Despite careful folding and securing, the streamer didn’t unfurl as expected at its apogee, deploying somewhat lower instead. This made for rough landing. Furthermore, I encountered difficulty in tracking the rocket’s descent until it was nearly at ground level. To enhance performance, I opted to substitute the original streamer with a reflective mylar alternative, yielding more favorable results.
Replace the provided orange streamer with a reflective mylar version. This alteration ensures effortless tracking of the small rocket as it descends to the ground.