I finished the Splendor model Friday night.

Fairly quick build.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

Next is the Shattered.

The BT-50 diameter model has a finishing scheme to look like the rocket is breaking into hundreds of pieces.

Yes, that is a piece of clear tubing in the middle of the rocket.

Listed weight is 2.5 ounce. Mine weighed in at 2.6 ounces.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

So the clear tube is just a clear airframe section - not a payload section with bulkheads?

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- Scott, NAR 91621
Woosh #558

There are bulkheads but you would need to do some modifications in order to make it into a payload section.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

That's really cool with the clear tubing in the middle. I really like the finished look of that one it's unique.

.

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Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates

The final rocket of this set is the Dark Zero.

It uses the motor mount/fin alignment pieces from the original Estes E2X kits of the early 1990s.

The upper section could be modified into a small payload section with a little effort.

For once my model weighed in less than the factory specs: 2.1 oz vs. 2.2 oz.

I look forward to future E2X kits from Estes.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

I'm just putting together a Dark Zero. Very interesting build for an E2X with some clever parts involved (must be John Boren again). I like the rugged body tubes as well. Mine will have a functional payload section, of course, since I love flying altimeters.

Any idea what other model the plastic parts might be used in/for since there is one part included that is not used?

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Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE

The Dark Zero looks like a MK-109 Sting Ray (2131) from the late 1990s. The major difference the plastic parts are molded in blue and the addition of a payload section. Hope the Dark Zero does not have the stability of the MK-109. (Needs nose weight when flying with C6 motors).

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'Til next time,

Mike Toelle

NAR 31692 L1

SAM 0373

Gee, it sure does. I just looked at the instructions here: http://www.estesrockets.com/media/i...09_STINGRAY.pdf

They call for packing quite a bit of clay into the nose cone. The Dark Zero adds 5 1/2 inches more length and that coupler that's not used on the Mk-109 Stingray. Mine will likely always be flying with at least a tiny altimeter (PerfectFlite FireFly or Altus Metrum MicroPeak) aboard. I was looking at that heavy wall tubing and thinking D21, actually....

I'd expect it to hold up to the hibachi ejection charges better than my Nova Payloader has (if the plastic rings at the ends of the motor mount don't melt, that is).

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Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE

I wish Estes would offer the HBT-1090 and matching nose cones as separate parts again. The heavy wall tubes are great for rockets that are flown frequently. The plastic motor mount parts hold up fine using either Estes or Aerotech motors.

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'Til next time,

Mike Toelle

NAR 31692 L1

SAM 0373