Estes® Big Daddy Flying Model Rocket Kit & 302244 3/16" Two-Piece Maxi Rod,Brown/A

I built LOTS of Estes rockets when I was a kid about 30 years ago. Then my son found a survivor of my former fleet in my parents' attic and, next thing ya know, we're building every kit we can get our hands on. This kit, however, is a stand-out. Built like high-power rockets, with a slotted body tube for "through-the-wall" fin mounting, if the parachute comes out at all, it'll survive. It's nearly impossible to screw up the fins, so it'll fly straight and true for even first-time builders. It's short and fat, so you won't easily lose sight of it in the sky. There's lots of surface area that begs to be decorated creatively. BD1 was a rainbow spray fade. BD2 (pic 1 below) is painted like a V2. My son painted BD3 (pic 2) like a Torgue weapon from Borderlands. It's really the perfect low-power rocket. But, as I always tell my son, "When it comes to rockets, bigger is always better." So, having built 3 of these, we were compelled to move up to an Aerotech Sumo. More or less the same construction, just MUCH bigger. And now, having officially caught the high power rocketry flu, we just got a LOC Precision Warlock which we will be flying at LDRS-34 on an H or I motor. Google Image THAT thing. So here's the warning suggested by the title of this review: the Estes Big Daddy is kinda like a gateway drug to a much more expensive (but awesome) habit.IMPORTANT TIP: the launch lug that comes with this rocket is for a 3/16" rod. Most (beginner) launch pads come with a 1/8" rod. If you try to launch this on the thinner rod, it'll take a wicked 45 degree turn shortly after lift-off (known in the biz as "rod whip") and you'll either lose it in the trees (how we lost BD1, sadly) or have to walk a LONG WAY (what happened last time we launched BD2). So either buy the thicker rod or make smaller diameter lugs out of a small piece of card stock or construction paper rolled in a piece of masking tape.

I love this rocket. It was the first I've built since way back when I was a kid. It flew well for me on a C11-3 and D12-3 engine. I haven't tried the E engine yet. One thing to be aware of is that you need to use more of the recovery wadding than is recommended, or the parachute will melt together. For the first flight with the C11-3 engine, I used probably about 18-20 squares of wadding. The parachute melted a bit and got some holes in it from where I pulled it apart from itself. But even with a few holes, the parachute worked fine when I relaunched using the D12-3. The second time, I used about 25 squares of wadding, and the flight went perfectly. Photos: 1) After building, 2) After successful parachute deployment (flight 2), and 3) with melted parachute (flight 1). The rocket has no damage after both flights, except for the parachute, as mentioned.

Son painted gold and looks real sharp! What a fun rocket to launch. We bought the bigger diameter rod for launching. Went perfect. Needs a lot of wadding (12 sheets or so). An easy build. My 8 year old built with my supervision. I had him add extra white glue at each step. Would recommend! We used the D engines for 1st launch. Landed within 10 feet of lift off. He decided D engines were enough... E's would definitely send it 900 feet.Update: 2nd launch, must have packed the chute too tight (dad's fault). Came down like a mortar (even had a whistle like the war movies!) Definitely aim this clear of people into an open space. Surprisingly, thanks to some snow, the rocket sustained minimal damage! My boys quickly had this fixed and ready for another launch.

It comes with a cardboard adapter to put your C engines in, but it's just way easier to get D engines that are fit into the mount without it. The weight of the rocket means a D will not send it into orbit.

This rocket is BIG and is very fun to fly! It would be a great 2nd rocket as you'll have to put it together but that is part of the fun, as it isnt that hard, me and my 5yo did it in about 1 hour and was out flying and loving it. It also does well on the cheaper D size motors, thats what we use most of the time. We already have about 10 flights on it and its still going strong so I dont believe you'll be disappointed in the Big Daddy.

This has become my favorite rocket. It was easier to build than I anticipated, and ends up very durable. I've only launched on D12-5s so far, and they perform quite well.I wouldn't hesitate to get this rocket regardless of your skill. A well-mannered rocket from start to finish.

We bought this kit for our 10 year old son. When we received it, it was fully packaged, however there were components with pencil marking already made. The inner spacing ring look like it had been already glued inside and then removed. My husband looked passed those things, as they could be overcome, only to find out that the some of the decals were missing. The assembly process is too far in the works to return the rocket, and now we are without decals to add the finishing touches. Think twice before purchasing. If you do purchase, inspect your kit carefully and take full inventory of all components before beginning assembly, otherwise you may be sadly disappointed in the end.

This thing is huge. It feels like your launching the rocket ship from you childhood dreams. The build is pretty straightforward with lots of surface area to paint for little ones.

Not yet constructed!Did one before and because of the cold damp weather, it all went wrong at the painting/decals stage ( another rocket was wrecked at the varnish stage - it hazed!).Will try again in next couple of weeks.

best low power kit ever !

Thank you

good