Brief:
This is a scale model o' t' Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne. Aye aye! It is part o' a new line o' rockets includin' many X-Prize kits from Estes. This rocket uses 18mm motors and has a 12" parachute recovery.

Construction:
T' kit comes with a motor mount kit, matey, body tube, arrr, nose cone, ya bilge rat, and a scale tail cone. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Also included be t' recovery system and laser-cut balsa parts. Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' shock cord is short but does nay make a difference t' t' flight o' t' rocket. Overall, arrr, t' kit comes with good quality parts that go together well and are free o' defect.

T' instructions are well written and easy t' follow. I found that this kit goes together extremely well and takes a short amount o' time t' put together. I be pleased when I found t' wings and tail booms interlock with each other for an easy fit. Also, a cardboard stand comes with t' rocket for proper wing placement and alignment. Arrr! Aye aye! Blimey! There are no special tools needed for assemblin' this rocket. Begad! All that is required is a pencil, ruler, and basic hardware.

Finishing:
Finishin' this rocket is very easy. Aye aye! T' rocket is painted all white then decals are applied. Begad! T' decals come in groups for easy placement. Ya scallywag! T' only problem durin' finishin' is no diagram was included t' show where t' windows on the nose cone are located.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' motors reccomended for this rocket are motors o' B and C impulse. Arrr! Well, blow me down! For the first flight, ya bilge rat, I used a B6-2. T' rocket flew straight but t' delay be too short so it didn't get t' a very high altitude. For t' next flight, I used a C6-5. Avast! At first, arrr, t' rocket flew straight, matey, matey, t' an altitude o' about 100 feet. Then, me bucko, it turned horizontal and continued until t' ejection charge went off. This be because o' t' high wind combined with t' rod angle. Ya scallywag! Avast! Overall, me bucko, the rocket seems stable and flies well, shiver me timbers, but must be launched at a 0 degree angle for a safe flight.

Recovery:
T' flight recovery is near perfect. Well, blow me down! T' delay must be 3 or more for t' rocket to slow down enough though. Well, blow me down! SpaceShipOne comes down rather fast but t' parts don't break on impact. Begad! No damage was caused by ejection or recovery on this model. Begad! Begad! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a good quality kit from Estes. Ahoy! All parts are pre-cut and go together well for easy assembally. Well, blow me down! Also, finishin' is quick and simple. Ahoy! Flight is nay as stable as other rockets because o' t' unusual fins and wings, but t' rocket flies well. Blimey! Aye aye! Also, arrr, recovery is near perfect with t' supplied 12" parachute. This rocket's good looks factor in as well. Blimey! I flew this rocket at a club launch and more people were interested in lookin' at t' rocket than seein' it fly. Overall, this rocket is a hit and another good, me hearties, shiver me timbers, sure-to-be popular kit from Estes.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5