The Quark (EST 0802) is part of the Estes Beta Series which also includes, amongst others, the Nova Payloader. This featherweight uses mini engines (13mm) to launch and tumble recovery. The engine ejects and both the engine and the tiny rocket come tumbling down. These mini engines generally have a lower cost than regular 18mm engines. This, added to the low purchase price of the kit, make this rocket a great option for a rocketeer on a budget. The face cards states "flights to 700 ft" while the instruction manual shows a maximum projected altitude of 300 ft when launched with a A3-4T rocket motor.

Parts List

The kit comes in a clear plastic bag with a color face card and the items listed below.

- body tube
- nose cone
- 2 balsa fin stock sheets
- launch lug
- decals/stickers
- fin marking guide & fin pattern (to be cut out)
- warranty & safety booklet

As is usually the case with Estes flying model rocket kits, launch supplies are not included. Hobby supplies required to build the rocket include wood glue, plastic cement, hobby knife, pencil, rules, sandpaper and masking tape.

Construction

This is a level one kit which is easy and fun to build. The trickiest part is cutting your own fins out of the balsa sheets.

This model rocket kit takes no time at all to build. Simply mark the body tube for fin placement and attach the fins and launch lug. Glue nose cone in place and your rocket is ready to be primed and painted.

Finishing

While instructions suggest a purple and white paint scheme, a more visible combination was choses to increase the odds of recovering this little rocket.

After a coat of primer, it was painted white. A section around the airframe was masked off and a few coats of fluor orange paint (Testors #1367) was applied all over the model rocket for optimal visibility.

Measurements

The Quark is a tiny rocket with a lenght of only 5.2" (13.2 cm) and a diameter of 0.5" (13 mm). Its weight, prior to finishing it 0.1 oz (3 g).

Flight Data

Recommended engines for this model rocket are : 1/2A3-4T (first flight), A3-4T and A10-3T.

Launched on a A3-4T, it shot up to a respectable height, the ejection charge fired and visual contact was lost. The rocket could not be found. The idea of giving it a highly visible coat of paint didn't help in this case.