(07/01/03) I finally got around to purchasin' a couple o' Art Applewhite's Flyin' Saucers. Begad! Been meanin' to, just never got around t' it. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! When I did, I be glad he accepted PayPal. Avast! Made it very easy. Arrr! Blimey! I purchased t' Gold 6" 18mm Delta Flyin' Saucer and t' Gold 4" 13mm Delta Flyin' Saucers.

I'm writin' t' review for t' 18mm version because thar isn't currently a review on EMRR. Avast! Ya scallywag! But I have t' admit t' same thin' Dick Stafford did, these kits all build just about t' same! There was virtually no difference betwixt me build experience on t' 13mm version verses the 18mm version. In addition, thar are very few parts, matey, four t' be exact: 1) Top Cardstock, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, 2) Bottom Cardstock, me hearties, 3) 18mm motor mount, me bucko, shiver me timbers, and 4) Foam Center.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 3 pages of 8½ x 11" paper. Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! They include black and white photos t' assist in the buildin' process. Avast! T' tools and supplies that are needed are outlined: Scissors, #11 Exacto® Knife, Elmer's Glue-All® and 150 girt sandpaper. That's it and you're ready t' go.

Assembly is simple. Well, blow me down! Cut out t' Top and Bottom from t' cardstock. Aye aye! Begad! Cut out t' Top and Bottom Seam pieces from t' card stock. Begad! Ahoy! Glue t' Seam (tab) onto one side o' t' Top. Blimey! Let dry. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Glue t' other side o' t' Top onto t' exposed Seam (tab), shiver me timbers, thereby formin' your Top Cone. Repeat for t' Bottom Cone.

Usin' your hobby knife, matey, cut out t' Center from t' provided 1/4" foam board. Arrr! Cut out t' center o' t' Center (which is t' motor mount hole). Now you are ready for t' most difficult part of construction; cuttin' t' 30 degree bevel on t' outside edge o' t' Center. Be sure t' use a new blade and take your time. Doin' those two things makes this a lot easier than it sounds.

Once t' Center is prepared then final assembly is relatively simple. Begad! Avast! You glue t' Center t' t' Top. Arrr! Aye aye! You then glue in the motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! Lastly, you glue t' Bottom t' t' motor mount and Center. Apply some fillets on all t' seams and ta-da... Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! you're done.

Overall, matey, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Arrr! Nay sure how it could be any easier!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite recommends a C6-0, B6-0 or a RMS 18/20 Reload. Blimey! T' motors are t' be friction fit into t' motor mount with the warnin' that no motor should stick out further than ½" from below the motor mount.

I have flow t' 18mm version 3 times, all on B6-0's. I was plannin' on usin' this as a demo rocket for me son's kindergarten class, but that never worked out. Blimey! It would make an excellent demo rocket, and it would even make an excellent school project rocket!

All t' flights were t' same, straight up, invert and right back t' us. Altitude? Hmmmm, maybe 30 feet. Begad! Begad! Hard t' say, but it would make a good backyard flier.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, me hearties, I would rate this rocket 5 points. I don't see any way t' knock a rocket that has no recovery system t' fail, no need for wadding, no need for motor retention (although that could be t' only thin' t' add), ya bilge rat, and always comes back t' where you are!

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 5 points. Begad! Yes, it is a "perfect" rocket for its price, instructions, arrr, shiver me timbers, assembly and flight characteristics. Go give one a try!