Estes Tercel boost-glider kit
 

Hello All,

Has anyone here been able to procure and try out an example (perhaps a promotional one) of Estes' new Tercel mini motor-powered boost-glider kit (see: http://www.estesrockets.com/rockets...3/003222-tercel )? [No, Estes is not stealing the names of Toyota automobiles; a Tercel is a male Falcon or Hawk. :-) ] Also:

The Tercel has an elliptical planform wing (actually, "bi-elliptical"--the trailing edge is a portion of a larger, more gently-curving ellipse than that of the leading edge) with polyhedral. The glider's overall appearance is similar to that of AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) competition HLGs (Hand-Launched Gliders, see: http://www.amaglider.schnable.net/index.html ). Its motor pod utilizes the heretofore little-used, short BT-5 ogive plastic nose cone from the 220 Swift kit and the Customizer Mini Launch Set. Interestingly, the motor pod uses a 6" parachute instead of a streamer for recovery.

Not yet, I am waiting for one to show up at the local HL. I like the fact that it uses T motors.

Yes! Mine arrived in an order from Hobbylinc a couple of days ago. I expect ot be opening it and getting started in the next day or two.

I picked one up at my local hobby shop last week.

Make sure you get the template for the sanding of the wing, attached. The insert was missed in kit packaging.

kj

Ah--*that's* why that template is included on the Tercel's page on the Estes web site.

So it *is* available now--very good! I hope Solomoriah will try one--he has had bad luck with boost-gliders, but this kit with its laser-cut parts and wing-sanding template should work for him.

Well..... this past weekend I won the A boost glider event at the Tri-Cities Rocketeers contest with my Tercel....thanks to a good design that just works and a really really lucky shot into a small thermal. That yielded a time of 284 seconds. On my first flight, no thermal help, I got 59 seconds.

So.....even though I was initially a bit disappointed in the grade of balsa in the kit (heavy) I have to say I'm happy with it.

Congratulations! "Never look a built glider in the wing," I guess... :-)

Hah. As if that would help. :D

Incidentally, I have built, but not yet flown, the Q-EZ glider you sent me. I love the shock cord mount you provided, though I'll admit for anything larger than BT-20 I'll still be using Kevlar to the engine mount (or baffle). I also have a pair of Mini-Dactyls I plan to try out this year. With any luck, at the end of the season I'll still have one of the three...

Hey Shire,

From personal flying, its one of Estes's best glider kits to date!

Easy to assemble, the price is very reasonable, and its fun to fly ... who cares if you lose it, just get another for the cost.

Estes has really been making some nice kits of late. I was pleasantly surprised to see a new medium sized kit hanging from a hobby shop peg board with a large BT-55/60 sized BALSA nose cone visible in the packaging ... takes me back to the says of A-20 Demons, original Cherokee-D's, and Goblins ... sand 'n sealer ... oh the smell and lung burn sensation of that stuff! :)

Jonathan