Reviews : Estes US Army Patriot M-104 Model Rocket Kit

I build this kit about six weeks ago and launched it this weekend. The kit was a fun build. Right now it it the largest of my rockets. The instructions were very good. I rounded all of my fin surfaces to enable the better airflow over the fin surfaces. The first flight of the rocket was with a Estes A8-3 motor and the second launch was with Estes B6-4. The second flight reached its peak altitude and the ejection charge activated and separated the nose cone and deployed the chute. The rocket returned without damage. This rocket is fun to launch and will go with me to all of launch sessions. I consider myself an advanced modeler and I would recommend purchasing as part of you modeling tools an Estes Fin alignment tool to mount your fins true to the tube body. Before you assembly any item to the tube be sure and lightly sand the wax off of the tube for better assembly. Be patient and don't get in a hurry. If you choose to use sanding sealer on your balsa parts and never have used it before, be sure to read up on how to apply and follow the directions. The extra time needed to apply will be well worth the finished rocket. Pros: an easy build Cons: none

As a teacher of Electronics and Aerospace Technologies at a Technology Center I am always looking for exciting ways to get my students involved in activities that will challenge them but, at the same time provide them with a rewarding sense of accomplishment, increased self esteem and most importantly an opportunity to have some fun while learning. The Estes Patriot M-104 is one of the rockets I really like to use as an entry level kit within my curriculum. It provides an esay build for the students, has awesome and reliable flight characteristics and make a great looking rocket a student can be proud of!! The authentic color scheme makes the Patriot M-104 east to track in flight when using the Estes Tracker. I highly recommend the Patriot M-104 to anyone looking for an entry level military rocket that certainly doesn't look like an entry level rocket and gives excellent performance. The materials of construction will allow for many flights and the straight forward assembly instructions make the Estes Patriot M-104 a definate win,win! Clear Skies!

Love this kit, my brother and I have the same kit and I wanted to build mine differently. The decal layout shows a tail cone/ boat tail and a conduit/ launch rail that runs the length of the BT-60, not included with the kit. To make your Patriot full scale, instead of semi-scale, the boat tail and conduit will need to be included. The altitude should be improved slightly, do to the reduced drag on the aft fin can. The tail cone can be fabricated, but Estes makes a plastic transition for the BT-60 from an Estes Extreme 12. The conduit is just a strip of balsa the full length of the longer white tube in the kit. After all these external mods I still was not satisfied, so I modified the engine mount for a 24mm E Motor, slotted the body tube, added fin tabs for through tube slots, installed an ejection baffle, nylon shock cord and parachute and minimal additional nose weight, for the proper C/G stability. It looks impressive on BP motors and haven't flown it on composites yet, but will soon.

I love this rocket due to it's classic 4FNC design and iconic decal/paint scheme. I had a lot of fun building this rocket because it has so much modification potential. First, it's begging for a 24mm motor upgrade. Second, installing an 18mm or 24mm motor retainer ring makes this rocket look especially sharp and adds to the ease in which you can install and remove an engine. Third, because of it's size, it has so much room to install a payload bay, either in the main body tube or nose cone (or both!). Fourth, it seems a bit odd that the main body tube is assembled with 2 couplers and 3 main body tubes, but this adds to the modification potential. As mention earlier, the top yellow body tube is perfect for a payload bay. Having the multiple main body tubes also makes it easier to make a shorter rocket, if you so choose. You could even swap out the included nose cone with one from the Este Big Bertha, then shorten the rocket a bit to make a Patriot Goonie.

To me, this is what a model rocket should look like! Some call this a basic 4FNC (four Fins and a Nose Cone) but it sure looks good! It is a fairly simple build and easy to paint. This is my go-to rocket at just about every launch. I must have launched mine over 3 dozen times by now! Flies straight and true on B and C motors. The only real con this one has is that it comes with cheaper self-sticking decals. Be sure to spray this model with a clear coat to help seal the stickers and blend them in.

A solid all around rocket. Looks good on the launch pad, flies well. Super sturdy! I put the fins on with wood glue. On a recent launch, the shock cord popped off of the parachute/nose cone and fell from the ejection height (B6-4 engine). Only damage was a partially broken off fin, which was easily glued back on with model cement. I would highly recommend it, although not necessarily for a first build.

This kit is one of my favorite rockets. It flies straight and true and just looks good doing it. I ended up losing mine in a tree and my son has continuously asked for me to build another one. So, I am now in the process of doing just that. It is big enough for me easily to add an ejection baffle system, because I am not a fan of using paper wadding. It flies well on both B and C class motors.

This is a fantastic kit. It's easy to build, so novices shouldn't be discouraged by it, and I got to practice some techniques I had seldom used--namely putting a good deal of effort into a nice paint job. I also used this model to teach myself foiling the fins. I've seen multiple copies of this model at launches I go to, a testament to its solid design and construction.

I picked one of these kits up on the cheap because 18mm powered BT-60 rockets are great on my home field. One of the first things I noticed was that one of the fins was shorter than the other three. Not a huge problem, but it made me wonder. The kits builds up fine, and with a little work looks pretty decent. Sticker decals are useless.

I built this rocket with my grandson. He had limited assistance but it was a great kit to build with him. He had so many various questions with each piece. It was a great rocket to create conversations about model rocketry. This model flys very well and stable.

The patriot is another one of those must have rockets... it is a fun build and a great flyer... even if you decide to upgrade the motor to a 24mm MMT she will still fly straight and true... I love this rocket and it comes with me to every launch

this is an easy build and a great looking classic rocket. When getting back into the hobby this was the first kit I bought. The parts go together well and it finishes very easy. Flies great on B's and C's. A must have for any fleet.

The item came safely and quickly. This is a very nice kit and is easy to assemble. I doubt I will launch this rocket. I believe it will be for display only. You can't go wrong with this kit nor the price.

Straightforward construction, decent size, and good looking. Excellent choice for a beginning to intermediate modeler. Use several light coats of clear spray to prevent decals from lifting.

Just received it. I am going to fly on a B6-4 and hope that I do not lose it.