Mean Machine

ESTES Model #1295

Description

The Mean Machine standing almost 80 inches tall is one TALL rocket and to make transport to the launch field easier, the clever rocket designers developed a unique twist lock connector set that allows you to take your rocket apart right in the middle!

This legendary rocket is an advanced skill level kit and has been one of our highly requested bring backs and you’ve got it now! We’ve just updated the decor and think you will love it as much as we do! This high performance rocket can be flown on our powerful Estes D and E model rocket engines with the included engine spacer and can top out at about 700 feet. A colorful 24 inch parachute is included for recovery. This rocket kit is another of the favorite classics that no model rocket enthusiast should be without!

Additional Information

• Length: 79″
• Diameter: 1.64″
• Weight: 8.5 oz.
• Fin: Laser Cut Wood
• Decal: Waterslide
• Recovery: 24″ Parachute
• Recommended Motors:
  • D12-3, D12-5, E12-4, E12-6

Instructions

Photo Gallery

Build History

• 05/17/2007 – Purchased Estes Mean Machine from Hobby Lobby in Columbus, IN for $14.99 (Retail $24.99).
• 01/29/2000 – This is the start construction data for this model body tube diameter: BT-50 18″ long. Cut a new 24mm x 70mm engine mount tube from tube obtained from Discount Rocketry. this will strengthen the motor mount. Another motor mount modification is leaving off the engine retainer hook and engine block. Glued the centering rings to the new engine mount at each end.
• 01/30/2000 – Installed engine mount. Rounded leading edge and tapered trailing edge of fins. Glued each fin to body tube. Glued tubes to tube couplers.
• 02/02/2000 – Got two of the couplers stuck and removed them from the body tubes.
• 02/03/2000 – Cleaned glue out of the ends of body tube with knife and sanding drums attached to cordless drill. Got the two ends clean.
• 02/04/2000 – Finished cleaning up the old coupler joints. Purchased a 1/4″ sanding drum to assist with the clean up of the joints. After clean up, re-glued the new couplers to the tube with the fins and upper tube too.
• 02/05/2000 – Launch lugs were glued to lower section body tube with fins. Sanded nose cone and dut out excess plastic from nose hook.
• 02/06/2000 – Glued elastic shock cord to mount and then inside of forward end of upper body tube.
• 09/23/2002 – Sprayed Krylon Black spray paint #1601 onto model.
• 10/07/2002 – Applied second coat of paint.
• 10/19/2002 – Cut out waterslide decals. Applied fin and body decals using soapy water to aid. This completes construction of Estes Mean Machine model rocket #1295.
• 06/25/2004 – Repair – Repaired model crashed on 06/20/2004 at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Cut out tube couplers from the second, third and fourth tubes. Using a 24″ BT-60, from Semroc, replaced the third BT-60 and two tube couplers . Made ends from a disc that fit the tube coupler. This connected the second and third body tubes. Punched two holes in the disk and glued to tube coupler. Threaded a piece of shock cord through the end disc and tied the loose ends. Glued the modified tube coupler into the lower end of the third section. Added a coupler to the upper second section that slide inside the third section so the modified mean machine breaks in half instead of at the nose cone.
• 07/05/2004 – Repair – Painted the second, third and fourth body tube sections. The mean machine is now ready to fly.
• 01/28/2024 – Cut out 2 replacement fins from fin pattern taken from original attached fin and glued to body tube after filleting joints.
• 01/29/2024 –
• Rounded leading edges and tapered trailing edges of replacement fins. Sanded all fin surfaces with 102, 220, 600, & 1500 grit sandpapers. Hand painted fins with Pactra #A1 Gloss Black. Made decal from original with self-adhesive clear transparencies.
• 01/30/2024 – Applied self-adhesive decals to fins. This completes repair of Estes #1295 Mean Machine #1.

Flights