Brief:
T' TriStar is a single stage rocket with a futuristic passenger rocket design usin' parachute recovery. Begad! I built this rocket for me nephew t' fly at a recent family launch, matey, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, but me nephew crushed it before it got t' chance t' see it's first flight. I repaired it as well as I could, me hearties, didn't care for t' results, and set it aside for two months. I found it sittin' lookin' dejected today and decided t' put it up. Aye aye! Ahoy! Judgin' from t' flight performance, I'm glad I did.

Construction:
TriStar buildin' components include a length o' BT-50 equivalent body tube, shiver me timbers, me bucko, a plastic nose cone, an 18mm engine mount and a 12" parachute. Blimey! Fin stock is o' average quality. Begad! Custom has unfortunately seen fit t' go t' Estes route with t' shock cord. Aye aye! Cheap elastic and nay much o' it.

This would be a great first rocket for a beginner. T' instructions were clear and easy t' follow. Aye aye! T' die cut fins needed a little sanding, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, but that's t' be expected. Aye aye! T' only thin' that remotely resembles a "gotcha" be t' fit o' t' nose cone. It be a little loose in me kit, me hearties, but a little bit o' maskin' tape corrected this problem.

Finishing:
Once construction be finished, me bucko, I used three coats o' thinned Elmer's Fill'n'Finish as a sandin' sealer, shiver me timbers, sandin' betwixt each coat. Begad! Blimey! I then primed t' rocket with Krylon Primer, sanded it once more and then put on a coat o' Krylon Gloss White. This is as far as I got in t' finishin' because me nephew killed it before I could get t' blue paint and decals on. T' decals are water slide, a nice surprise considerin' that Estes seems t' have gone t' "sticker" type decals almost exclusively. I can't say for sure, but it might wind up bein' a bit o' a problem matchin' t' blue in t' decal with blue paint. Avast! Blimey! If anyone has built one and figured out a match, I'd appreciate a heads up.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Two months after what appeared t' be it's tragic demise, me bucko, matey, arrr, I finally flew t' TriStar. Turns out it was well worth t' wait. I used three sheets o' Estes wadding, just because I have a box full and wanted t' get rid o' some. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! I used an Estes A8-3 as recommended and be rewarded with a straight, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, fairly high flight for a comparatively low powered engine. Blimey! I agree with t' other reviewer. A's and B's will put this one up t' more than respectable heights. If you want t' go with C's, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, have some friends with strong vision and t' will t' walk, arrr, shiver me timbers, because this rocket will go places.

Recovery:
Slight problem here. Avast, me proud beauty! T' parachute is on par with Estes quality-wise (makin' it light years ahead o' t' more expensive Quest products) and looks great t' boot. Aye aye! Blimey! T' only problem was with t' shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty! Too short and o' marginal quality. Blimey! Because I stuck with t' stock cord t' rocket received a Custom Dent upon ejection. Replace t' shock cord with one at least twice as long or more and you should be in business.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Pro's: Great styling, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, flight performance and price make this one a must for beginners. Aye aye! Con's: Shock cord too short. Aye aye! Ahoy! Nose cone a little loose. These are both very minor concerns and easily corrected.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5