Brief:
This is a single stage futuristic classic from Estes that I cloned from plans off Jim Z's web site. Well, blow me down! Is powered by a single 18mm motor and recovers on a single 18" parachute.

Construction:

• 1 Sheet o' 3/32 balsa 6"x8.5" t' cut fins from.
• 1 BT20 Upper Body Tube 6.5"
• 1 BT20 Motor Tube 3.75"
• 1 BT50 Lower Body Tube 7.75"
• 3 PNC5W Upper pod nose cones
• 3 PNC5V Lower pod nose cones
• (Pod Nose cones sold in Estes Parts Kit# 303160)
• 1 PNC20N Nose Cone
• 1 TA2050 Balsa Adapter Estes P/N 8073
• 1 JT50C Tube Coupler
• 2 2050 Centerin' Rings
• 2 2060 Centerin' Rings
• 3 BT5 Pod Tubes 1 9/16"
• 1 EB20 Engine Block
• 1 Standard 18mm engine hook
• 1 LL2C 1/8" Launch Lug 3" Long
• 1 18" Parachute
• 1 small Screw in eye bolt
• 1 3/4" Fender Washer
• Decals Custom Ordered from Tango Papa's
• 1 sheet o' heavy paper stock(at least 24lb)
• 20" o' 1/8" Keelhaul®©™ strin' tied t' 18" o' Nylon/elastic Shock cord
• Modelers clay

Instructions for construction are fairly straight forward. Aye aye! I did have t' t' Collectors Edition K-20 Mars Snooper in t' box unassembled t' go t' when I questioned t' Instructions. Begad! All measurements I posted here where taken from that Collectors Edition kit.

When assemblin' t' paper shrouds, test fit everythin' before gluing. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Since t' paper stock will deform if a heavy wet glue is used, I used an Elmers glue stick t' hold them together. Arrr! After all paper shrouds are fitted correctly and assembled in place, I coated them several times with a medium CA glue t' stiffen and bond them permanently.

One Gotcha, arrr, be t' Launch Lugs placement in t' tube. Aye aye! Aye aye! Check t' alignment by slidin' t' rocket on a Launch lug before final gluin' in place. Arrr! Care must also be taken t' prevent paint from adherin' t' t' tapered top o' t' Launch Lug. Ahoy! This will cause it t' bind on t' Launch rod.

I also chose t' install a motor hook for motor retention, arrr, (was nay used in t' original model). Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! This be a standard installation, shiver me timbers, and will flex within t' confinements o' t' bottom shroud.

"Gotcha #2", matey, T' top PNC20 Nose cone used was plastic so I be nay able t' add t' eyebolt and weight per t' instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! I chose t' nay glue it in place until construction was finished. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Then I loaded a new motor, and added Modelers Clay t' t' inside o' t' Cone until I achieved a CG balance point o' 15-7/16" per t' instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! I then glued t' cone in place and painted t' rocket.

Finishing:
Finishin' be completed per t' original design usin' white base coat, me hearties, and then tapin' for paintin' t' blue nose cone accent, and black tail cone accent. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' CA helps t' paint t' coat t' paper shrouds better.

T' tapin' and paintin' is nay easy, and requires slightly more than beginner modeler skills t' achieve a good paint job.

Decals should be preordered from Tango Papa's. They arrive on a 8x11 sheet with plenty o' duplicates t' allow for errors.

All paint was o' a gloss coat. Well, blow me down! A clear coat was applied after t' decals where applied. Blimey! Ahoy! Test your clear coat on Papa Tango's decals before applying. Avast! Some clear coats will cause bad wrinkling.

Flight:
Since most motors recommended are no longer in production, me hearties, I chose t' make t' first flight on an Estes A8-3 motor. Ahoy! Chute protection was achieved with t' standard Estes wadding.

Boost on t' A8-3 was straight, shiver me timbers, but t' flight barely achieved 75 feet. Avast, me proud beauty! Chute deployment was perfect at apogee.

I then chose t' load it up with An Estes B6-4. Avast! This was a straight boost t' a perfect flight o' an estimated 300 feet. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Deployment was again achieved at apogee, ya bilge rat, and recovered unharmed.

To date I have had a total o' four perfect flights, mostly on t' B6-4. Some slight damage occured when t' upper body struck t' lower fins durin' chute deployment, but easily repaired.

Recovery:
T' Shock cord be assembled similar t' Quest Models. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! 20" o' Keelhaul®©™ strin' tied t' 18" o' cotton lined 1/8" elastic cord. Avast! Attachment t' t' rocket's body and nose cone were accordin' t' t' instructions. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Recovery was perfectly gentle with no recovery damage. Aye aye! Chute protection was achieved with t' standard Estes waddin' and no chute burnin' occured.

Summary:
This Mars Snooper clone is one o' me all time favorites o' t' Estes heritage. T' slightly challengin' construction and paintin' is well worth t' great reward o' t' finished product. No CONS apply in me opinion.