Brief:
29mm Pyramid saucer type

Construction:

Parts List:

• 3 - Rectangle foam-backed boards
• 1 - Triangular foam-backed board
• 1 - 29mm MMT
• 1 - 3-page instructions

This new kit from Art Applewhite Rockets is definitely one o' t' more unusual designs that Art has designed. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' package came much faster than I expected via Priority mail. It arrived in perfect condition. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' kits contents were in a heavy plastic sealed bag. Arrr! T' box had that air-bag packin' stuff on each end.

T' instructions are very detailed. Aye aye! There is only five pieces in t' kit, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but thar are 34 steps in t' instruction sheets. Ahoy! T' assembly was somewhat more difficult than some o' t' other kits, shiver me timbers, arrr, only because o' havin' t' cut t' foam-boards lengthwise at a 45 degree angle. Well, blow me down! Arrr! By t' last cut, me hearties, you'll become a pro. Well, blow me down! T' instructions say t' use a fresh blade in your X-Acto knife. Avast! This is a necessity because t' foam betwixt t' boards will collapse with a dull blade. Well, blow me down! T' foam board was just barely large enough t' fit t' pattern you use t' cut t' three sides. Ahoy! As a result, t' curved edges needed t' be shaped t' eliminate a flat spot on each side. Aye aye! Once t' 45's were cut and trued up, assembly went quickly. T' longest time t' build t' kit was waitin' for t' glue t' dry. Aye aye! T' kit took less than an hour t' build.

Finishing:
Once sanded, arrr, shiver me timbers, me hearties, I coated t' exposed foam surfaces with glue. Avast, me proud beauty! Its first launch was t' be in a snow covered field, ya bilge rat, so t' white 'camouflage' had t' go. Begad! I chose t' paint t' bottom surface flat black t' hide any exhaust damage. Begad! Avast! T' outer surfaces were painted yellow so t' stickers would show up well.

T' difficulty in paintin' any foam product is that paint will dissolve t' foam. As t' instructions spell out, a thin layer o' glue on all t' exposed foam surfaces appears t' seal them well enough t' paint. Avast! Blimey! This kit didn't come with any decals or stickers, so I found a few lyin' around t' spruce it up. Arrr! These were from t' DC Gemini I used in one o' me Descon entries.

Construction Rating: 4 ½ out o' 5

Flight:
One o' t' recommended motors is an Ellis Mountain G35, and I just happen t' have one in me box. This is just t' kit that this long burn motor is made for. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! As with all kits from Art Applewhite, this thin' roared off t' pad and slowly ascended up. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! This kit is different than other saucer kits because t' offset design makes it spin as it ascends. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' flight was spectacular. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! It be spinnin' so fast I couldn't really see it spinning. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It flipped over and began t' descend. Begad! Blimey! It fell much slower than I expected and be spinnin' all t' way down.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
This kit is unusual, arrr, me hearties, me hearties, t' flights are dramatic and you can fly big motors on small fields. Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions are clear, concise and detailed. Blimey! No fleet should be without one o' Arts kits!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5