Construction:
T' kit included t' motor mount tube, shiver me timbers, block, adapter for D motors, ya bilge rat, centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, me hearties, shiver me timbers, hook, two purple BT-56 body tubes, coupler, me hearties, arrr, launch lug, matey, me bucko, standoff, yellow fin can, shock cord, nose cone, 12 and 24 inch pre-assembled parachutes and decals.
T' instructions were typical Estes with illustrations and t' shock cord mount. This kit is rated at skill level 2 but I think that is because o' t' 24mm mount and t' ability t' fly on an E motor. Ya scallywag! I started with t' motor mount. Arrr! T' motor hook on me kit unfortunately be missing, so rather than waitin' for Estes t' send me one, shiver me timbers, I decided t' go with friction fit retention. I glued t' mount into one o' t' body tubes. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! I then glued t' fin can into place. Avast! After that I glued t' launch lug standoffs into place. Aye aye! T' kit included a 1/4 inch lug (can't imagine why)! I replaced that with a 3/16 lug. Blimey! Ahoy! I now joined t' body tubes. Begad! Arrr! I then assembled t' shock cord assembly and glued it into place. Begad! Two parachutes were included. Begad! An addendum be included t' inform you that if you wanted t' use t' 24 inch chute t' cut out t' entire spill hole t' prevent loss o' t' rocket. I used t' 12 inch chute and cut t' spill hole.
PROS: Fast and easy construction
CONS: Can't think o' any.
Finishing:
No real finishin' is required because o' t' purple and yellow parts. Avast! Just slap on t' decals and that's it. I also painted t' lug standoffs and tube joint with purple paint. An optional step is t' apply clear spray enamel but I chose nay t' do this.
PROS: No paintin' required.
CONS: None
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
Betwixt gettin' a new job and lousy conditions for flyin' a rocket like this, matey, I have only flown this rocket once so far. Avast! Blimey! T' recommended motors are t' D12-5, arrr, D12-7, E9-6, E9-8. Avast! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I also saw t' new C11-5 listed for this rocket in t' 2002 Estes Catalog. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' hook holds t' motor in place, but since me hook was missing, shiver me timbers, I wrapped a single layer o' maskin' tape around t' motor and fit it in place behind t' adapter. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' flight was on a D12-5 and it was without a doubt an awesome flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Very fast lift-off and arrow straight boost t' apogee at 1000 feet or so.
Recovery:
With t' small chute, this rocket appeared t' come down quick, arrr, but safe. Arrr! Begad! I would nay recommend usin' t' 24 inch chute. Ya scallywag! Blimey! On an E9 flight, I would recommend usin' a large streamer. Begad! Well, blow me down! Even with a friction fit, me hearties, I still recovered t' rocket with t' motor in it.
PROS: Excellent flight performance.
CONS: None
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
Priced at about $15.00 t' $21.99, this rocket is a super buy. Aye aye! My thanks goes t' EMRR for providin' me with this model from t' Rocket Give-Away drawing.
Main PROS: Easy and quick construction, ya bilge rat, no paintin' required.
Main CONS: None
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
D.W.G. (May 1, 2002)