The X-Ray: Nice little payload rocket, using a tape-friction-fit motor mount. Not at all like the modern Estes X-Ray kit. This has a balsa nosecone, transition and fins. It is a very light model. This ol' girl sure made a lot of flights and she's showing her age. In the early days this was my tallest and most impressive rocket for the first year or two, so I would really like to get her flying again and see how high it can go, I imagine close to 1000 feet. To restore this model, I need to find a clear BT-50 payload tube since the old one is cracked.  I don't recall it cracking during a flight, it most likely occurred while in storage.

Recent update: Finally found a clear tube of the right diameter: Stole it out of a new Estes Magician kit a bought for parts.  Expect the X-Ray to shine again!

The X-Ray has now been restored and is flying again.  I found the same clear tube length and diameter from Estes - but I had to spring for a full Magician kit to get it! I gave it a new Kevlar shock cord mount and some new rubber, reinforced the screw-eye to the balsa transition (which to my suprise was never glued in originally!).  It also received a new 9.3" plastic parachute with longer shroud lines and a good hard cleaning.  Its first new flight with an A8 motor brought it up to 216 feet at 76 mph (111.5 ft/sec.).  There will be more flights with this for sure.