Reviews : Estes Mini Honest John Model Rocket Kit

The fun thing about the Mini Honest John (aka: MHJ) is that you can build it per the instructions and enjoy a respectable parkflyer. But if you REALLY want to have some fun, build the MHJ as a minimum diameter rocket and put in a 24mm engine into it. An ideal out of sight rocket, although if you want to get it back, you'll need a bit of luck on your side. Also, if using an 18 or 24mm engine in it instead of the recommended 13mm mini engines, you'll need to make some modifications for stability, like adding extra weight to the nose cone ir making your own fins that are a bit larger.

This was one of the first rockets that I built from an original issued Estes kit. I remember the kit as being very easy to assemble and that because the balsa wood was still somewhat rough back in those days I had to sand each fin. Other slight issues were just minor as the whole rocket looked great and flew great as well. I finished mine in the recommended glossy white with a few of the decals placed according to the instructions. I would recommend this to any rocket fan, regardless of experience in building. A fun kit for all.

I have always like scale (or semi-scale) models. This Mini Honest John is a great little kit. If you have never worked with balsa fins this is a great kit to start with. The instructions were well illustrated and if you take a little time you can have a really great looking rocket when you are done. A minimum of pretty basic modelling supplies (white glue, fine grit sand paper, etc.)were needed. We flew this for the first time yesterday and on a windless day we recovered the rocket six feet from the launch pad!

I love the fact that this is mini-engined power and the relative ease of construction. I built mine stock except for the addition of Kevlar in the recovery system. Looks great in olive drab, but should come with a US ARMY decal instead of US MILITARY, although that's not the fault of Estes. I bought a second one that I'm planning to build as an 18mm powered bird, just because they're cheap and readily available. I'm guessing that one will need extra nose weight.

This rocket is an easy build. When completed, it looks great. The decals take a bit of patience, but are worth the effort in the final look. I did clear coat after adding the decals. The kit includes clay for the nose cone. Be sure to use it. I have flown it on an A10-3T. Flies great. Very quick off the pad, and easy recovery due to small power of motor. This kit has me thinking about other small/mini rocket projects.

Great rocket, but the original Honest John, from Estes, is made with a BT-55 and uses 2 launch lugs, with 2 launch lug spacers, to prevent wind cocking, an inch from both ends of the body tube. Split your launch lug and launch lug spacer in halve evenly, making 2 shorter launch lugs, along with the spacers to match the launch lugs and align so they do not bind on the launch rod, for a straighter launch in light wind.

This is a nice scale kit that can be made a little more detailed with the following tips: 1. Carefully sand the fins to the profile in step E3. 2. Paint the model flat olive drab (OD). Once it dries, coat it with a clear gloss coat and let that dry before applying the decals. This will help your decals hide. Once the decals are dry, give it a coat of flat clear (dullcote) to give it a more military look.

easy to build... looks good on the shelf... looks good on the launch pad... but it needs nose weight to have a good stable flight... it will still fly up and recover safely but for a nice straight flight add some clay to the nose... the waterslide decals are a bit tricky cause there are so many small ones... but once it is built and painted it sure looks pretty