This is a large, radio-controlled rocket glider, built from a kit by Frank Burke’s DynaSoar Rocketry, based on the original Estes Orbital Transport’s orbiter. The original used a BT-20 body tube, and this is a 2.6″ diameter BT-80, so it’s about a 3.5x upscale. Control is via a Spektrum-compatible LemonRX and a pair of servos that actuate the elevons at the aft end of the delta wings. 

It flies great on an Aerotech reloadable E6-RCT! The drill is to load the model onto a 1010 launch rail, pointing straight up. The rocket motor is ignited electrically, and the motor fires for 7.1 seconds. The model is docile in boost and glide, and will pretty much fly straight up hands off, but you can maneuver – gently! – under boost if you like. I’d guess it gets up to around 500 feet, where it’s about the size of your fingernail at arm’s length.

Glide performance is not great – maybe a minute or so – but that’s not the point. The point is you are flying a huge radio-controlled version of the absolute classic fan-favorite Orbital Transport!