Low Boom SST (English Only) Skill EXP
In an era of aerospace marvels, the supersonic transport (SST)
stood out. By the mid-1960s, multiple nations were pursuing the goal of
an SST passenger jet. Imagine traveling from New York to L.A. in less
than two hours – it was the verge of a revolution in air
travel! But there were problems. Budget overruns and projections of
enormous operating costs were limiting the passenger SST’s
appeal. But the real death knell to an international fleet of SSTs was
the excessive sound – these super-fast jets were simply too
noisy.
The SST’s thunderous “sonic
booms” – faster-than-sound shock waves –
were dangerously loud. So loud that SST activity over the continental
US was banned, with other nations following suit. Eventually,
supersonic flights were limited to ocean routes. Most nations dropped
their SST projects and a single model, jointly developed by England and
France, was produced in very limited numbers. In the end, the
revolution never came.
Fast forward to today. After decades of test flights and
analysis, a solution may finally be at hand: The Low-Boom SST. By
adjusting critical aspects of aircraft features like nose shape,
fuselage length, wing surface area, engine output, etc., the duration
and power of the sonic boom can be minimized.
“Low-boom” supersonic test aircraft are now being
flown successfully, and passenger jet designs are in the works.
Estes is looking ahead with its own Low-Boom SST – a
sleek, 30-inch long, delta-winged model rocket of the next generation
of quiet, super-fast passenger jets. This Expert level kit is loaded
with features, including intricate, balsa-constructed, underwing engine
pods and a large sheet of detailed water-slide decals to complete the
scale-like look. Launch and watch as the Low-Boom SST climbs to 400
feet on a C6-3,
engine and gently returns under a large 15
inch parachute. The SST revolution might be on its way after
all!
WHAT YOU NEED TO BUILD: Scissors, pencil, ruler, fine
sandpaper, yellow glue, plastic cement, sanding block, hobby knife,
masking tape, clear tape, primer (white), paint (red, white) and clear
coat (optional). (Tools, construction and finishing supplies not
included.)
WHAT YOU NEED TO LAUNCH (sold separately): Estes
Porta-Pad II Launch Pad and Electron Beam Launch Controller, Estes
model rocket engines, starters,
and recovery
wadding. Four 1.5V high quality AA alkaline batteries are
also required for launch controller (not included).
