Brief:
T' Estes X-Prize Lucky Seven is a 1:50 scale model o' Acceleration Engineering's Ansari X-Prize entry. Ya scallywag! This model flies on an A10-3T motor up to 200 feet and uses a 12 inch parachute for recovery.

Construction:
T' kit came in a plastic bag with header card and included:

• 1 motor tube
• 1 motor retention hook
• 1 pack o' clay weight
• 1 rubber shock cord
• 1 12 inch plastic parachute
• 1 plastic parts set that included:
• 2 nose cone halves
• 1 nose cone cap
• 1 body base
• 1 plastic parts set that included:
• 4 fins
• 4 nozzles
• 1 plastic body tube
• 1 set o' peel and stick decal sheet

T' instructions for this kit are t' typical Estes documentation that included lots o' text and illustrations. Arrr! No templates or shock cord mount is included as none are needed. Aye aye! Avast! Since this is an E2X series kit, I found it very easy t' assemble and had it put together in about 30-45 minutes. Begad! T' build this kit, arrr, arrr, you need an X-Acto knife, plastic cement, arrr, maskin' tape, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and #400-600 grit sandpaper.

I started by differin' from t' instructions a bit and tied t' shock cord into place at this time as I found it much easier t' do this without t' fins on. Avast! Ahoy! I then assembled t' motor mount into t' body. Ahoy! No glue is needed for this step or t' next one. Begad! I slid each fin into place in t' body. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I then glued the nozzles into place on t' body base. Arrr! After t' cement dried, me hearties, I glued it into the body. This is what holds everythin' together and if you use plastic cement, I suppose you could pop t' base loose if you ever needed t' replace a fin.

I now assembled t' nose cone by gluin' t' cap into place and tied on the shock cord. Avast! I then cut t' clay block in half and inserted each piece into the nose cone halves. Begad! Ahoy! I glued t' nose cone together and used maskin' tape t' hold it together until t' plastic cement dried. Avast! Avast! I tied t' parachute in place to finish t' assembly.

PROs: Builds fast and simple.

CONs: None.

Finishing:
T' only finishin' this rocket requires is applyin' t' decals as all t' parts are pre-colored white and silver. Aye aye! I do recommend that you wash your hands before applyin' t' decals t' avoid gettin' clay on them. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' finished model looked very cute and surprisingly realistic. Begad! Avast! I feel it would make an excellent model t' display on your desk.

PROs: No paintin' required.

CONs: None.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' only recommended motor for this rocket be t' A10-3T 13mm mini motor. Begad! This rocket does require recovery waddin' and t' motor hook holds t' motor in place durin' flight.

I prepped t' model by insertin' about two sheets o' recovery waddin' into the body. Avast! I also prepped an A10-3T and inserted a small piece o' waddin' into the motor above t' ejection cap t' take t' brunt o' t' ejection charge blast.

T' rocket lifted off rather slowly, arched slightly, and reached maybe 150-200 feet. Begad! I noticed a slight wobblin' motion but maybe it be caused by the wind. Well, blow me down! This is a great rocket for small fields.

PROs: Flies great, low altitude flights.

CONs: None.

Recovery:
This rocket uses a 12 inch parachute for recovery and if it is attached where the instructions suggest, matey, t' nose cone should nay come into contact with the fins.

T' chute is sized correctly for this rocket and it comes down with the nose cone hangin' underneath it so that it lands nose cone first and then the body will settle t' t' ground under t' chute. Ya scallywag! Fin damage should nay be an issue because o' this. Arrr! Avast! T' rubber shock cord also stood up well as thar be no scorchin' noticed.

PROs: Recovers smartly and easily.

CONs: None.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I really liked this rocket. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I found it t' be an easy t' assemble scale model that also turned out t' be a nice little flier. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I would highly recommend it especially if you don't have a lot o' flyin' space. At about $7.59, I feel it is a great value.

PROs: Easy and quick assembly, arrr, nice flight and recovery characteristics, great price.

CONS: None really.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5