As a scaled down version of the “Mean Machine”, the easy to assemble Mini Mean Machine is almost 40 inches long and features high quality body tubes, laser cut balsa fins in a reduced size for small field launches. The Mini Mean Machine is just as spectacular in flight as it’s bigger brother and can reach altitudes over 200 feet and recovers easily with a colorful 12 inch parachute.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BUILD: Scissors, pencil, ruler, fine sandpaper, carpenter’s glue, plastic cement, hobby knife, masking tape, primer (white), paint (blue, 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).
WARNING
000865
Rocket Guru –
The Estes Mini Mean Machine, or TE3M is a great sport launcher for limited field size. But, like most of my rockets, needs up powering to 18mm and can still use 13mm-18mm motor adapter, like Estes originally intended. I leave out the BT-5, 13mm motor mount, using a BT-5/20 centering ring for the 18mm motor block and sliding in, with a used 18mm motor, as a depth gauge, or until 0.25 inch, or about 7mm of the casing remains protruding. Use epoxy, when constructing, add nose weight and balance, for the heaviest motor like a C6-7, or if you dare composite D-10’s and watch TE3M really soar, like it’s larger version The Estes Mean Machine, or TE2M and keep up the good work Estes. Also, for this higher powered modification, use bright reflective colors for tracking purposes and have a good time. 🙂
Paul Harrington (verified owner) –
I built this rocket and painted it in one afternoon. The build was very easy and enjoyable I launched it the next day in around 5-8 mph winds. It is not a high flyer but it still went up a good 200 feet or so on an A3-4t. It had a nice slow lif-off and paracute deployed very nicely almost right after apogee. No complaints with this rocket!
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