U.S. Rockets Banshee

U.S. Rockets - Banshee {Kit} (1059, K-59) [1979-]

Contributed by Peter Clay

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: U.S. Rockets

USR BansheeBrief:
Single stage with payload

Construction:
The Airframe is two 17" tubes with the separation point at the center. There are 4 fins, made of light ply, and slotted into the MMT. The MMT is 29mm x 5.5", with a 24mm adapter included. Recovery utilizes a 5/16" x 6' elastic shock cord. The rocket is topped off with a Balsa ogive nose cone

The instructions are good, nicely illustrated, but needing some proofreading. Two steps are mis-numbered, instructions for mounting shock cord are omitted, and there are some errors in instructions for cutting fin slots.

The construction is sturdy, but the thin tubes may not be up to H motors after a flight or two.

USR is in transition, barely in business at present, but plenty of inventory exists. Easiest to access via Jerry Irvine, 01Rocket@GTE.net, who accrues orders, ships about once a month, and will accept an order on ship now, pay later basis in most cases.

Finishing:
The builder cuts the fin slots; otherwise construction is very simple and straightforward. Peel and stick decals are included. Appearance is clean, simple, and sleek.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

USR Banshee Flight:
So far this rocket has only had two flights. I've used an E18-6 and a D12-3, and both flights were nominal. The E18 put up a very nice flight and I expect the Econojet F20 to be the ideal motor for this rocket. I'll post that flight report when available, probably in April 2002.

Flight preparation uses wadding for ejection. It uses masking tape to retain motor; I added T-nuts to facilitate motor retention when I use an RMS 29mm motor.

Flights were straight and as clean as the design.

USR BansheeRecovery:
Body tube and shock cord are lighter than most HPR people would prefer, but worked well in these two flights. Slight damage to coupler and one fin when one section landed on the other on a packed road in the second, D12, flight. Prep and recovery are very standard and simple.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
The biggest advantage and disadvantage are both found in the lightweight construction. It likely will not hold up under a large number of G and H flights, but should be adequate as long as tubes are undamaged.

The rocket is so light that it might fly on a baby H without so much as a NOTAM. Careful preparation would allow an H128 flight at just under one pound.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • U.S. Rockets Banshee By Lance Alligood

    ( Contributed - by Lance Alligood - 07/01/04) Brief: The US Rockets (USR) Banshee is a 4FNC MPR with a 29mm MMT, TTW fin attachment, large payload bay, and streamer recovery. The kit also includes a 29-24mm motor adapter allowing this lightweight design to be flown on motors ranging from a D12 for small fields to H motors by the exceptionally brave. The Banshee would make an ...

  • U.S. Rockets Banshee By Peter Clay

    US Rockets Banshee review is provided courtesy of: I was awarded this kit as a DESCON 7 prize. The owner of USR was on vacation, but promised it would ship the week he came back. It arrived on my doorstep packed well and with all the part contained in closed bag. I first checked to make sure everything was present and then read over the instructions. The instructions were several ...

Flights

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