Brief:
This is a review o' Art Applewhite's newly released "Delta" saucer, me bucko, which flies on 24mm motors. T' main difference betwixt his Delta saucers and his standard line is that thar are no fins, and both t' top and bottom shrouds extend t' t' motor mount. Well, blow me down! This makes them simpler t' construct, less expensive, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and fly higher than t' standard saucers.

Construction:
T' Kit includes:

• One sheet o' cardstock - top and bottom shrouds
• One 7" square piece o' foam board - center plate
• One 24mm motor mount

Tools and supplies required:

• Scissors
• Exacto knife
• White glue
• Sandpaper
• Clear enamel spray paint (not required for t' Gold metalized cardstock)

[By t' way, if you already looked at me article on t' 13mm Delta saucer, you can pretty much skip t' t' finishin' section, as t' assembly o' these saucers is essentially identical]

My Delta saucer came nicely packaged in a grub saver type sealed bag. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' saucers were packaged in t' shippin' box with large plastic bubbles also made with a sealin' machine. Aye aye! Blimey! T' three pages o' instructions for t' Delta saucer are well detailed and include lots o' photos.

Construction o' this saucer is really simple. Ahoy! Begad! You first cut out and form t' top and bottom shrouds. Aye aye! On this small saucer, I found it difficult t' cut t' launch rod holes with scissors so I used an Exacto knife for these cuts. Begad! You then cut out t' center plate from t' pre-marked foam board. Arrr! Avast! There is an inner mark around t' outer rim, arrr, where you only cut through t' top layer. Aye aye! You then form a bevelled edge by cuttin' at about a 30 degree angle and sandin' t' edge smooth.

Assembly consists o' gluin' t' top shroud t' t' plate, shiver me timbers, arrr, me bucko, addin' t' motor tube, and finally t' bottom shroud. Well, blow me down! You must ensure that you align t' launch rod guides on all three components. Ya scallywag! Also, make sure that t' motor mount extends through t' front shroud so that no paper overhangs t' end o' t' mount. On a home-grown paper saucer, I left some overhangin' just a bit, shiver me timbers, and t' gasses from t' motor charred t' paper, arrr, leavin' a hole in t' front.

Finishing:
On Art's saucers, me hearties, thar be typically no finishin' required, matey, arrr, other than sealin' t' printed cardstock with a clear coat. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Note that t' gold saucer uses metalized card stock and no clear coat be required.

I cannot say enough about this mirror gold card stock. Well, blow me down! Avast! It is both beautiful and is a little thicker than most, makin' for a nice sturdy feelin' saucer. Ya scallywag! T' photos I provided do nay do it justice. In t' one attached photo, ya bilge rat, you can see t' reflection o' t' smaller Texas Special reflected in its finish.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
In t' instructions, me hearties, Art says that you shouldn't fly these saucers in winds over 10 mph. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! This weekend t' winds were over 10 mph, and several days o' rain had left t' field a swampy mess. Begad! T' latter at least made saucers a perfect choice, as t' area surroundin' t' pads was high and dry. Aye aye! Ahoy! And hey, shiver me timbers, if I've driven almost 2 hours t' a launch, arrr, I'M GONNA FLY SOMETHING. :-).

I flew this saucer off a 3/16" Estes rod. Ya scallywag! Arrr! It be a bit wobbly on t' way up, but just like t' smaller Delta t' trajectory be almost perfect. I am anxious t' try it on an E9 with calm winds. Avast! T' wind caused t' saucer t' tumble end-over-end on t' way down. Arrr! Nevertheless, t' recovery be fine.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Arts Delta saucers are an interestin' addition t' his extensive saucer line. Aye aye! As advertised, shiver me timbers, they are indeed easier t' build - I built two in a leisurely afternoon. Aye aye! Begad! They fly well, although I did nay perceive a noticeable difference in performance over standard finned saucers. Begad! Begad! Then, shiver me timbers, I have only one data point with this 24mm Delta. Avast! It appeared t' be far more stable than standard saucers in heavy winds. Begad! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! [Note that I recommend you follow t' manufacturers recommendations on flight conditions! I flew this saucer at a HPR launch from a pad that was probably three times as far away as a normal low power pad. Well, arrr, blow me down! I do nay have t' experience t' say that these saucers will always fly straight in such high winds.]

When I was goin' t' rate this rocket, I almost began feelin' bad ratin' all Arts products so highly. Arrr! There is no distinction betwixt t' different models if you go by me ratings. Ahoy! Finally, I decided "what t' heck?" They all are relatively easy t' build and fun. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' Deltas are easier than t' others are, me bucko, but I have no problems cuttin' fins. My guidance t' t' buyer is: buy t' size you think you would like for t' motors you want t' use and buy t' style you find most pleasin' (Standard vs. Delta, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and t' pattern/color).

Finally, I'll repeat how much I liked t' mirror gold paper. Arrr! I recommend you select this option!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5