Art Applewhite Rockets has really become t' U.F.O.-type rocket supplier. Arrr! He carries various styles (saucer, delta, cone, qubits) and various sizes (6", 7.5", me hearties, shiver me timbers, 9", 10.25", 12") and various patterns (smiley, earth, ya bilge rat, fire, tiger) and lastly motors (micromaxx, mini, 18mm, 24mm, me hearties, 29mm, matey, matey, 38mm). If you're lookin' for a U.F.O.-type rocket, then Art Applewhite Rockets be t' place t' start. Avast! I have t' imagine that he will be workin' on Pyramids soon, as well, since they are along t' same lines.

Okay, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, so enough o' that, t' rocket I bought was t' 6" Flyin' Saucer that flies on 18mm motors with t' Smiley pattern. Avast! Blimey! After assembly, this rocket is ready-to-fly without any finishin' work. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! That is nice for winter.

T' kit includes an 18mm motor mount, 3/32" basswood fin stock, cardstock top and core, me bucko, a 6" plastic plate, ya bilge rat, a motor hook, thrust rin' and launch lug.

Click t' see me 18mm U.F.O. comparison article

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 4 pages o' 8½ x 11" paper, me bucko, with t' fourth page bein' t' plate cuttin' guide. Ahoy! Avast! There are illustrations t' ensure a successful build. Ahoy! It is a simple rocket t' build, but thar are 25 steps in t' instructions. Ya scallywag! Arrr! So from this you can discern that t' instructions are thorough. They are logical and easy t' understand. Arrr! Arrr! T' kit is nay rated as t' a level, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, me bucko, however, I believe it is a skill level 2.

Assembly is so straightforward that I don't have a whole lot t' say. Ya scallywag! Cut out and form t' cone and inner cone. Ya scallywag! Cut a large circle out o' t' plastic plate. Avast! Cut out t' fins, sand them and attach them t' t' motor mount. Aye aye! Install t' motor mount. Arrr! All done.

A few more details:

There are optional spin tabs that can be attached t' t' fins t' cause t' rocket t' spin goin' up and down. Well, matey, blow me down! I choose nay t' do that.

There is a thrust rin' and a motor hook. Well, blow me down! T' motor hook is held t' t' motor tube with a piece o' cardstock.

Buildin' should be done with white glue with t' exception o' attachin' t' plate t' t' cone. Art Applewhite suggests Elmer's Rubber Cement. Blimey! I used Hammer Head's Omni-Stick.

Once complete, arrr, Art Applewhite suggests clear-coatin' t' Saucer, shiver me timbers, but I didn't.

Overall, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Avast! Avast! Can't get any easier.... well, I guess t' parts could be pre-cut, me hearties, but come on, we need some challenge. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Although, maybe Art should consider sellin' some Ready-to-Fly kits!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite Rockets recommends t' B6-0 or C6-0 motors. They also recommend supportin' t' rocket at least 6" up t' launch rod t' avoid heat damage.

My finished Saucer weighed in at 0.8 ounces as opposed t' Art Applewhite printed material suggestin' 0.5 ounces. Blimey! Blimey! Nay sure why t' difference.

I have flown t' rocket three times, shiver me timbers, all on C6-0's and all in me front yard. Aye aye! Arrr! T' rocket is fun. Avast! It flies straight up (at least with no wind) and then flips and descends. Aye aye! Begad! I would say is "floats" down as it is rockin' back-and-forth slightly upon t' entire descent.

After each flight, shiver me timbers, simply pull back t' motor retainer, me hearties, me hearties, me hearties, pull out t' old motor, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, throw in a new, me bucko, and your flyin' again before t' smoke clears t' pad from t' prior flight. Ahoy! Fast and simple.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, shiver me timbers, I would rate this rocket 5 points. It is a perfect Flyin' Saucer and t' motor retainer and all makes is simple and fast.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 5 points. Art Applewhite Rockets has a solid niche market. Ya scallywag! These things are easy t' build and fun t' fly, any where, shiver me timbers, arrr, includin' your front or back yard!