Brief:
Very popular early D motor powered rocket that's a simple 3FNC design and packs a huge punch at liftoff.

Construction:
This kit was made with t' currently available CC Express from Estes. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' parts needed from t' CC are:

• 1 BT-55 body tube 18.25"
• 1 NC55 nose cone
• 1 D motor mount
• launch lug
• 12" parachute
• shock cord

You will also need t' buy:

• Decals from Tango Papa or Excelsior Rocketry
• 1/8" balsa wood stock

T' rocket construction is very easy. Begad! Well, blow me down! First build your motor mount and slide it in t' butt o' t' body tube without glue t' check t' fit. Ahoy! Then glue it in when your fit is good enough. Next you cut out t' 3 fins and sand t' edges round. Begad! Glue those on. (I used CA.) Now take t' launch lug and cut it in half. Glue one half t' t' top o' t' body tube and t' other t' t' bottom. Finally, matey, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, attach t' shock cord t' t' nose, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, t' parachute t' t' shock cord, and glue t' shock cord in. Estes says you should use an 18" parachute. Avast! IMO, arrr, if you use t' 18" you'd better kiss t' Cherokee goodbye. Ya scallywag! Use t' 12" that came with t' CC Express.

Finishing:
Spray paint t' body tube and fins gloss white. Arrr! Then spray t' nose cone gloss red. Aye aye! Begad! Last, place t' decals on and clear coat them. Aye aye! When finished, it looks great!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
My Cherokee has flown twice with impressive performance. Well, blow me down! T' recommended motors for t' Cherokee D are D12-5 and D12-7. Aye aye! But for t' first flight, shiver me timbers, I recommend a C11-5. Well, blow me down! This is definitely nay a rocket for small fields! I loaded a C11-5 at t' NIRA Event on 4/17/05. Begad! I had a bunch o' people tellin' me that they had one when they were a kid and I think they really liked this one. Aye aye! It uses about 5 sheets o' wadding. Because t' CC Express does nay come with an engine hook, arrr, shiver me timbers, I used friction fit for motor retention. Well, blow me down! Avast! It's a tight squeeze anyway.

Flight one screamed off t' pad even on a C11-5! It landed rather far away but I got it back. Arrr! Arrr! Good thin' I angled t' pad a little!

On flight two it had t' same performance as t' first. Begad! I love t' way it flies but I'm afraid t' fly it on a D12!

Recovery:
Estes says t' use an 18" chute, but like I said, you'd better kiss it before you launch it with that big chute. Avast, me proud beauty! T' 12" works perfectly. It landed in some tall grass and I had a pretty long walk t' get it back.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a very cool rocket. Begad! I'd recommend tryin' t' clone it.

PROs: Very impressive flier. Aye aye! Looks great.

CONs: Watch your field size!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5