Brief:
T' 'Sky Writer #2' rocket kit is a unique and fast buildin' Skill Level 1 model from t' Estes product line. Begad! Ahoy! It's a #2 pencil rocket that comes pre-painted with a white plastic 4-fin can and parachute recovery and flies on t' 18mm Estes motor family t' include t' A8-3, B4-4, B6-4 and C6-5. At just over 26" long, this is a hearty sized model and a good looker.

Construction:
T' kit came in a colorful bag and included:

• A pre-colored nosecone in t' shape o' a sharpened pencil tip
• Two pre-painted body tubes
• A coupler
• Motor mount
• Retainer
• Centerin' rings
• Painted plastic fin can assembly
• 12" parachute kit
• Shockcord
• Decals
• Instructions.

All items were packaged well, arrr, matey, which is typical o' Estes models and no items were missin' or damaged. Ahoy! Ahoy! T' only thin' I did nay care for was t' very thin body tubes; nay typical o' t' 'hearty' ones I have had t' pleasure o' workin' with lately.

Construction be straight forward, ya bilge rat, with well written instructions and t' rocket kit went together in no time. Arrr! Avast! I built it from stock with no modifications just t' see how well it would hold up. Arrr! T' motor mount was built first, then installed into a body tube in typical fashion. Next it was time t' couple t' body tubes; a coupler is included in t' kit t' mate t' two tubes and t' instructions tell you t' roll t' tubes on a table once glued t' make sure they are straight. Begad! Also note that when installin' t' bodytube assembly into t' fin can that you position t' motor retainer in line with t' slot on t' fin can. Begad! Once t' model was built, they have you scrape off some paint t' install t' launch lug. Blimey! Arrr! This be easily done and I moved on t' t' recovery installation.

T' parachute was cut out and constructed as usual. I also used t' three-fold paper shock cord mount but did make one change. I doubled t' length o' t' shock cord with an extra long piece o' elastic from me spool; t' cord was installed in t' mouth o' t' body tube and t' mount was completely covered in glue. Ya scallywag! Note that I used Alphaetic Resin throughout t' construction o' this model. Aye aye! Finally, me hearties, matey, t' shock cord was tied t' t' nosecone and t' parachute was added.

Finishing:
T' kit comes pre-painted, so thar was no finishin' at all. Begad! Ahoy! I wanted t' note that t' painted body tubes still showed a lot o' spiral, me bucko, but since t' color be yellow, it didn't look too bad. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' final touches were added though thar be a wrap-around decal for t' eraser and a '#2 Sky Writer' decal that be placed lengthwise up t' side o' t' rocket. All in all, matey, me bucko, it looks pretty good for an ARF (Almost Ready t' Fly) kit.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
It was time t' fly t' Estes SkyWriter, me bucko, and I had me daughter prep t' rocket. Avast! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! After some waddin' and an A8-3, it be placed on t' rod and t' countdown was on. Ya scallywag! Avast! It launched straight up and fast, even on smaller motors; an impressive flight.

Recovery:
T' model started t' arc over/hover when t' ejection charge fired and it floated safely t' t' ground. Arrr! One more launch was done, this time on a B4-4 and it was a good choice for t' rocket as it left t' pad in a hurry, yet we were still able t' track t' flight. Aye aye! Ahoy! A good day for a launch and t' SkyWriter performed well for an inexpensive rocket.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Skywriter is actually one o' t' nicer quick kits from Estes and performed well durin' flight. Begad! Blimey! T' extended shock cord I added I believe increased it's life span somewhat, me bucko, as it takes less o' a beatin' durin' ejection. T' paint job looks good, me bucko, even though it is quite thin and t' spirals don't show too bad under t' yellow color. Arrr! T' only thin' I can say bad about this model is that I do nay care for t' very thin bodytubes Estes uses for these kits. Ya scallywag! They can very easily be crushed or creased, matey, me bucko, ya bilge rat, so care has t' be taken when handling. Ahoy! Besides that, t' kit is a good flier and I recommend it t' everyone for a fast, me hearties, weekend builder; try it and you'lll be writin' t' skies with smoke trails from your Estes #2 Sky Writer.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5