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

Okay, matey, so enough o' that, t' rocket I bought be t' 6" Flyin' Saucer that flies on 18mm motors with t' Smiley pattern. Aye aye! After assembly, me hearties, this rocket is ready-to-fly without any finishin' work. Blimey! That is nice for winter.

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

Click t' see me 18mm U.F.O. Arrr! Aye aye! comparison article

CONSTRUCTION:

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

Assembly is so straightforward that I don't have a whole lot t' say. Cut out and form t' cone and inner cone. Blimey! Cut a large circle out o' t' plastic plate. Well, blow me down! Cut out t' fins, arrr, sand them and attach them t' t' motor mount. Avast! Install t' motor mount. Well, blow me down! 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. Arrr! I choose nay t' do that.

There is a thrust rin' and a motor hook. 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. Avast! Art Applewhite suggests Elmer's Rubber Cement. I used Hammer Head's Omni-Stick.

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

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Can't get any easier.... Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey! well, I guess t' parts could be pre-cut, but come on, ya bilge rat, we need some challenge. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Although, arrr, maybe Art should consider sellin' some Ready-to-Fly kits!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite Rockets recommends t' B6-0 or C6-0 motors. Ahoy! Avast! 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. Avast! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Nay sure why t' difference.

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

After each flight, ya bilge rat, simply pull back t' motor retainer, me bucko, pull out t' old motor, me hearties, throw in a new, me bucko, and your flyin' again before t' smoke clears t' pad from t' prior flight. Well, blow me down! Fast and simple.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, matey, 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. Aye aye! These things are easy t' build and fun t' fly, any where, includin' your front or back yard!