(04/01/04) I purchased the Snitch to add to my 18mm U.F.O. comparison article. It is a simple Ready-to-Fly model from Estes made up of plastic and seemingly indestructible.

CONSTRUCTION:

The instructions are printed on the back of the cover-art and they simply tell you how to hook in the wire legs and flying guidance. That's it. Ready-to-Fly.

The wire legs connect very easily.

The rocket comes with a twist retainer ring and Estes provides an extra.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. What can ya really say for an RTF?

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Estes recommends the B6-0 or the C6-0. They estimate altitude as 65 feet and 120 feet respectively.

My Snitch weighed in at 2.0 ounces.

Flight preparation is simple. Insert the motor, twist on the retainer ring, install igniter and fly.

I have flown the Snitch three times all on C6-0's and all in our front yard. It gives very stable flights. At apogee it flips over and falls until it bounces on the landing legs. The only issue was that one leg popped out on one flight. It was right back in place in seconds.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 5 points. With the extra retainer and consistent flights, it is a perfect rocket for backyard and U.F.O.-type rocketry.

I give the rocket an OVERALL rating of 5 points. It lives up to being a Ready-to-Fly.

(Contributed - by Chris Taylor) 

Brief: This is one of the NEW 99 Estes RTF kits that I got from Walmart for a mere $7!  It is a copy of the old Estes Flying Saucer.  It looks cool and is awesome when it lands inches from the pad.

I expected possible damage to legs clips (that hold the legs in place) but after some 6 flights I have not yet had a problem.  But, you do need to keep it clean and be careful unloading as to not damage the retention ring.  [If you] break the ring, no problem you can use the extra but if you break the MMT part of the ring you are in trouble.  I have yet to have a problem yet!

As usual Saucer flights ROCK!  I love them. They are the maximum fun for the dollar and are very camera friendly. I hope to have pictures when I launch at my next club launch!

Construction: It came in a blister pack that says in large letter "READY TO FLY" and this is not a flying model rocket ... it is a flying action toy Rocket. 

Instructions? What instructions? All it needs is installation of the landing legs which is covered on the inside of the cardboard of the blister pack.  Very easy to build however a nasty gotcha is to keep in mind that you need to install the legs with care (although not a finicky as the Quest UFO).  If you are too rough you will break a clip that holds the legs in place.

There is no finishing beyond installing the landing legs (which move the CG where it needs to be for stable flight).  Decals are already applied and I like the twist-on motor retention a lot.  My kit, surprisingly whether by accident or on purpose, came with an extra retention ring in case I lose the first.

Mine is BRIGHT Green/Yellow

Although it is an RTF it is very cool looking and I love saucers.  I can not really rate construction since there really was not any construction to perform.

Flight: Motors are B6-0 and C6-0.  B6-0 would be a bore since it would not get very high but it flies as expected on a C6-0.  I love the slow and very low saucer flights and re-prep is a snap . . . unlock engine, remove, install, lock, & relaunch.  No wadding or anything! It always impresses!

As also expected, it does not enjoy wind but is ok and safe in moderate winds.

I can not wait to make this a two-stage saucer also an Apogee D10 would be fun but expensive.

Summary: I have mixed feelings on RTF rockets, but I must say this new line of rockets are, if anything, very cute and worth having.  Just for that reason and also the $7 price tag does not hurt a bit!

I love the flights and design and I actually like the color as well (partial to yellow and orange).

The flights are awesome for the kids and they will NEVER lose this rocket! This is important and it won't VANISH on them.  Trying to catch it is a serious NO, NO since when it hits your hand it will usually deposit a nice lump of still very hot motor stuff (yes I did this). 

The only CON I expected was the leg clips but they have survived so far so I guess I will wait and see!

Overall Rating: 4 ½ out of 5

---

(Contributed - by Bob Hvarven) Another little ARF - There will surely be a Global "Plastic Shortage" very soon. Just happened to see this one while sliding the isles at Wally World. This is a little intro to a Flying Saucer ARF.....

Package: Again, it is hard to slam the packaging. Estes has done a fine job of making an appealing product presentation. I would like to see them spend R&D money on bringing back the "Classic" Estes kits and making some new "Kits" instead of Injection Moldings....

Parts: The pieces are not many. The Saucer, and a bag containing some other things to make it work

These parts are in the plastic bag. (3) landing gear wires, an extra motor retention ring, a nice "Little" catalog and the ever present Estes Pamphlet with some Safety and NAR info inside.

Construction: The landing gear wires just "Snap" into place. Didn't think I would ever finish - Wheww. The instructions suggest you place a piece of tape over the wire to keep it from jumping out of the plastic slots. Yes, they point UP. When you see the flight profile you will understand. The motor retention ring was already in place, and there is no need for a streamer or parachute.

Oh - add a little tape - do a little dance - get down tonight, get down tonight.... One of the most important things about a hobby - Gotta make it FUN.

Yes, this is UP, and you are not experiencing CRT induced vertigo... Reference below..

Flight Profile: It goes up-pedey-up-up then it goes down-de-de-down-down. Gads!!! I think I just had a movie musical flash back .... As you can see, after boost and burnout of the motor, it looses it aerodynamic stability and flips over and lands on the cute little wire legs - ah, how sweet. I have seen one of these made by another company and it is worth watching - although the flight is very short. I've been racking what's left of my brain trying to figure out how to get an I-65 long burn into it ?? Hmmm.

Flight: The C-6-0 motor installed, the igniter installed, and the motor retention ring in place and we are about ready to go. The "Snitch" waits on the gantry for the countdown to begin. FIRE -

Got lucky and actually was able to get a picture !! Here the "Snitch" climbs straight and true (although not very fast). Flight altitude couldn't have been over 60-70 feet, but it was fun to watch. The motor quit and the saucer flipped over as advertised and floated down to earth.

It landed on the wire legs, but flipped over on it's side without injury. The only way you could tell it had even flown was the slight discoloration on the motor retention ring, and the pungent smell of a spent black powder motor. Very satisfying flight, and would work perfectly for school or other small field demo's

Opinion: I liked this flying saucer. I know I have stated elsewhere I have a distinct dislike for plastic ARF's, but this one filled a neat gap between fast and high rockets that was fun to play with. It looks like you could launch it until you ran out of money buying motors and it would still be in one piece. It would have value as a demo rocket. It was a nice change of pace, and I believe almost anyone would enjoy it. I'm rating it high on it's "stand alone" merits and not clumping it together with the other ARF rockets I have seen and flown. BUY IT - If you don't like it, I guarantee that maybe, possibly, kinda' that perhaps ESTES will give you your money back - sorta' Ah, what's $6.00 to a bunch of 'High-Rollers" like ya'll... :)

Rating: 5 out of 5 , For what it is, leave it alone, it works great.....

---

Editor Note: These pictures were contributed by Dean Cooper. I thought they were worth posting without a review:

GUEST's OPINION:
"Just got one for the kids. They love it!! I love it!! It flies just exactly as advertised right from the start. No work, no trim, no fuss. Yeah, ya gotta install the landing gear, but my dog could almost manage it. Read what the others wrote, because this does just what they say. The only difference I saw is that it was not affected at all by a steady 10mph wind the other day. It still landed in the same spot that it did with no wind." (J.H.)

SPECIFIC ROCKET TIP:
04/03 - "Stage this saucer! Friction fit a C6-0 with masking tape and forget the retention ring. Then take a short piece of streamer and tape it to the side of a D12-0. Tuck the corner of the streamer in between the motors and fit them together. The D12 will ignite the C6 and separate, coming down on it's own little streamer (easier to see and makes the RSO happy), while the Snitch gets great altitude from the double boost." (T.P. )

SPECIFIC ROCKET TIP:
03/03 - "While Estes booster motors are nice, try an Aerotech D21 for a much more exciting flight! Use the short delay so it will fire the ejection charge before it hits the ground or better yet, use an RMS D13 or D24 and just don't install the ejection charge BP. With the RMS you can't use the retaining ring because of the motor block built into the aft closure so just wrap the back end of the motor with enough masking tape for a friction fit. Also try coating the top and inner portion of the motor block as well as the motor retention ring (basically all surfaces exposed to motor heat) with epoxy to make them melt-proof.. works great to protect from motor exhaust and ejection heat. With this mod, rocket should last forever." (M.I.E. )

SPECIFIC ROCKET TIP:
03/03 - "The snitch is a very fun rocket and a favorite of the kids. After 20 or so flights I do have some suggestions: 1) Epoxy the bouncy wires in place. I've had them spring loose on landing - and they're not fun to find in tall grass - count us lucky several times. 2) It's borderline durable on asphalt - our residential court being where this gets most of it's flights - so in addition to (1) Epoxying the bouncy wires in place, I'd suggest (2) applying a glue fillet (if not epoxy) to all of the rib attachment seams. 3) Carefully bend the wires back after each asphalt session to maintain as much spring as possible to minimize stress on the plastic. Otherwise, I like the fact that it's waterproof (vs the Art Applewhite Saucers which you *should* clear coat). Lastly, for fun, stage the snitch with a D-12 :)" (M.H. )