Brief:
Single staged 3FNC Payload rocket with nice fin design. Begad! Avast! This kit has been recently discontinued by Estes.

T' Nova Payloader was originally introduced in 1986 as a Skill Level 2 (and in me opinion, shiver me timbers, it should stay a Skill Level 2 because o' t' fins). Ahoy! It was then discontinued t' first time, ya bilge rat, 10 years later at t' end o' 1996. Begad! It remained absent for a few years until sometime in t' early 2000s where it reappeared as a skill level 1. Durin' it's second coming, ya bilge rat, me bucko, Estes released the Super Nova Payloader, shiver me timbers, a larger, arrr, more powerful version. Begad! But unfortunately, arrr, both were dropped from Estes' lineup at t' end o' 2004. Arrr! At t' writin' o' this review, thar are probably a few left at some hobby shops, so grab them while you can if you want one.

Construction:
T' rocket came in a typical plastic bag with a paper face-card and contained:

• 1 BT-50 Body Tube
• 1 Payload Tube equivalent t' a BT-50
• 1 Sheet o' Balsa
• 1 18mm Engine Mount for BT-50 Body Tubes
• 1 Launch Lug
• 1 PNC-50 Nose Cone
• 1 Cardboard Ring
• 2 Transitions
• 1 Sheet o' Decals

T' instructions were very easy t' follow and this is a pretty simple build. I had almost no problems assemblin' t' rocket. Avast! T' only challengin' part was gluin' t' 2 fin pieces together. Begad! It would've been a lot easier if Estes had made t' fins one piece.

Finishing:
I went with t' stock look, red body tube and fins and white nose cone. Begad! Arrr! The decals were peel n' stick and went on nicely.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
My Nova has only flown once. Aye aye! I flew it at NIRA's August 2005 club launch and it flew very nicely on an A8-3. Ahoy! T' Nova Payloader uses about 4-5 sheets of recovery waddin' and can handle just about any 18mm motor. Avast! Just be sure t' use a short delay when carryin' a payload.

Recovery:
T' Nova uses a usual Estes 12" parachute and elastic shock cord which brings it down at a normal speed. T' 4-5 sheets o' waddin' work well and there was no wear or burning.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a pretty decent little rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! It's really nothin' special, matey, but would be perfect for night launches.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5