Estes Swift Flying Model Rocket

I recreated the popular Estes “Swift” model rocket!

Printed in PLA and attached with Testors plastic model cement. The total print time is only 1 hour!  I recommend printing everything except the fins with a brim to help with bed adhesion and elephant's foot.

This is an awesome weekend project for any age, including adults!

This is an intermediate-level rocket from Estes.  The third photo shows the parts included in the store-bought kit next to all of the 3D-printed parts. In case it is not obvious, all of the fins are identical, so just print the fin file 3 times.  

This is just the rocket. The engines, launch pad, starters, recovery wadding, and launch controller are required to launch this.  

The compatible engines are the 1/4A3-3T, 1/2A3-2T, 1/2A3-4T, A10-0T, and A10-3T.

This is a featherweight recovery rocket meaning that it is so light it just slowly falls to the ground and does not require a parachute.

I've attached a PDF of the official instructions that show how to fully build it and launch it.

The attached videos are not of this exact rocket but of other Estes-branded rockets that I've built and launched.

Here are some tips for anyone new to model rockets: 

• These engines are powerful and can be dangerous if not used properly.
• Wind plays a factor in launching these rockets successfully, so I recommend angling the launch pad slightly into the wind; the goal is to have the rocket land close to where it took off.    
• More recovery wadding is better than less, toilet paper works as an alternative, but toilet paper is flammable where the wadding is not.
• Always keep the safety key out of the controller until you are ready to launch.
• Most importantly, have fun with it!

Below are the links to the Estes website for the required materials for launching it.  Everything is fairly inexpensive and definitely worth it.  These can also be found at pretty much every hobby store. 

Testors Plastic Model Cement: https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Model-Kits/Tools-Adhesives/Plastic-Model-Cement/p/1230?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIk5t-e-Gh_F6uiZ2qOlwqyDgPA5ZfXOpdUaa9YYq61jGKUUpova5tRoCOBcQAvD_BwE

A10-3T engines with starters and plugs: https://estesrockets.com/product/001511-a10-3t-engines/

Recovery wadding: https://estesrockets.com/product/002274-recovery-wadding/

Launch pad and controller: https://estesrockets.com/product/002222-porta-pad-ii-launch-pad-and-electron-beam-launch-controller/