Brief:
T' Mini Max is a single stage 13mm rocket with a streamer used for recovery. Arrr! It's t' baby brother t' t' Der Red Max. Aye aye! Arrr!

Construction:

• 1 Engine Mount Tube BT-5 1.75"
• 1 Mini Engine Hook
• 1 Mylar Hook Retainer HR-5
• 1 EB-5
• 1 CR-520 Split Ring
• 1 CR-520 Ring
• 3 Laser Cut Fins
• 1 Launch Lug 1.5"
• 1 Screw Eye
• 1 BNC-50AH
• 1 Shock cord 13"
• 1 Streamer 1.25"x17"

Basic Estes Instructions well written and t' fin markin' guide and shock chord mount are included in the instructions you need t' cut out.

I started with laser cut fins sandin' both sides o' t' sheet and cuttin' them out, sandin' t' leading edge. Ahoy! T' fins are nice a sturdy. Ya scallywag! T' engine mount was t' next process. Aye aye! Aye aye! It is a nice sturdy engine mount tube and not one o' those flimsy blue tubes. Avast! Ya scallywag!

T' nice sturdy laser cut center rings nay t' flimsy ones that in passin' look like they have been hit with a punch. Ahoy! T' next process was cuttin' out t' tube markin' guide from t' instructions, wrappin' it around t' body tube and then markin' t' lines on t' tube. I used wood glue t' attach t' fins t' t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! While that was drying, I cut out t' shock chord mount and assembled that. Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! That be glued in after t' fins had dried. Aye aye! Blimey! Next was t' launch lug, arrr, ya bilge rat, which be glued t' t' body tube with white glue. Avast! Begad! Blimey!

T' next step was a dry test fit o' t' engine mount into t' body. Begad! Blimey! It be a nice fit without havin' t' sand the center rings. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! I put a bead o' white glue inside t' body and engine be inserted and left t' dry. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Next was t' screw eye which was centered into t' nose cone after bein' sanded smooth. Aye aye! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey!

I added a drop o' glue in t' hole t' keep t' screw eye from pullin' out durin' ejection charge. Ahoy! T' base o' the nose cone needed a little sandin' t' get a nice snug fit. Begad! Aye aye! T' last phase be apply a fillet o' glue t' t' fins and launch lug and attach t' streamer t' t' shock cord with maskin' tape . Well, blow me down! Arrr!

Finishing:
Finishin' t' Mini Max be easy. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! I applied 2 coats o' sandin' sealer t' t' fins and nose cone, shiver me timbers, lettin' t' coats dry between. Avast! I then applied a 3rd coat and let it dry with a final sandin' o' t' fins and nose cone. Ya scallywag! After wipin' down with a tact cloth, matey, I applied a coat o' Rustoleum White primer and let it dry, ya bilge rat, sandin' between coats. After wipin' with tact cloth, I applied a coat o' Valspar Gloss Black paint, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, again lettin' it dry betwixt the two coats. Arrr! Avast! For t' body tube and fins, me bucko, they were painted usin' Valspar Gloss Red Paint and lettin' dry betwixt t' two coats. Begad! After dryin' for two days, me hearties, I applied t' decals lettin' them dry overnight. Ya scallywag! I then applied a light coat of Future floor finish t' protect t' decals. Aye aye! This provided a nice glossy finish and t' decals were easy t' apply. Ya scallywag!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' first 2 flights were on Estes 1/2A3-2T motors. Begad! Blimey! Both were nice low flights and easy to track. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' last two flights o' t' day were on Estes A10-3 motors and nice high flights, arrr, but easy t' track.

Recovery:
All flights were good and streamer fully deployed fine. On one o' A10-3 flights I didn't add enough waddin' and scorched t' nose cone. Blimey! Begad! I just need t' sand and reapply a coat o' paint. Aye aye! Well, blow me down!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great rocket. It seems Estes is movin' in t' right direction goin' with t' sturdy laser cut fins and center rings. Arrr! Also, it's nice t' have a sturdy engine mount tube instead o' t' flimsy blue tube, Nice hard wood BNC that holds up well. Begad!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5