Brief:
This is a basic 3FNC two-stage rocket with direct staging. T' fins on t' booster and sustainer are identical, givin' it a look that is just a bit different from other two-stage rockets.

Construction:
T' parts list:

• 1 Nose cone, ya bilge rat, plastic blow-molded
• 1 Elastic shock cord
• 1 BT-50 sustainer body
• 1 BT-50 booster body
• 1 Tube coupler BT-50
• 6 Fins, matey, die cut balsa
• 2 Motor mount tubes BT-20
• 1 Thrust ring
• 4 Centerin' rings
• 1 Decal sheet

Construction o' this rocket is so simple that it could probably proceed without instructions. Begad! However, arrr, it is good t' have t' instructions t' make sure that t' centerin' rings are placed properly t' leave room for t' stage coupler.

Assembly was greatly accelerated by t' use o' an Estes fin alignment jig.

Finishing:
I chose t' paint it just like it is in t' ads, with a white body and red fins and nose cone. Aye aye! This was straightforward.

A note about t' decals. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I don't know whether mine were old or if they just took a long time t' loosen from t' paper. Avast! Blimey! T' first one I let soak for a couple o' minutes, then took out and straightened out. Blimey! Blimey! T' decal cracked into a bunch o' tiny slivers. T' other two decals I let soak for a longtime--about 10-15 minutes--before tryin' t' move them. Aye aye! Blimey! They worked fine after t' long, long soak.

In order t' apply t' wraparound decal t' t' forward edge o' t' upper body you do have t' trim off t' upper clear part o' t' decal.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I launched it three times in one day with three terrific flights and no significant damage. Arrr! This is a light rocket. Begad! Begad! On a C6-0 booster it is already goin' high and fast before it stages, ya bilge rat, then it is out o' sight.

Recovery:
T' elastic shock cord did give me one prang t' t' front end o' t' body tube. Avast! It was easily bent back out, matey, shiver me timbers, but t' decal was damaged.

T' streamer is a good length, arrr, me hearties, and t' recoveries were at a good descent rate, and highly visible due t' t' hot pink color.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great basic direct-stagin' two-stage rocket. I bought two--one for me and one for me daughter for her NARTREK Apollo level. Ahoy! We built them side by side. Begad! It is perfect for a first multistage rocket.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5