Brief:
This is a skill level 1 rocket with simple construction that makes great stable flights.

Construction:
Kit includes:

• 3 12" BT60 body tubes
• 3 balsa die cut fins from 3/32 balsa
• 2 BT60 tube couplers
• 1 PNC60NA Nose Cone
• 36" o' 1/4 elastic shock cord
• 6" o' white BT20 motor tube
• 1 Engine hook
• 2 1" long 1/8 launch lugs
• 2 CR6020 centerin' rings
• 1 black motor hook retainer ring
• 1 24" plastic parachute

Construction is well illustrated and fairly easy t' perform. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' fins are mounted through t' tube utilizin' manufactured pre-cut slots. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Blimey! Additional sandin' is required on t' fin tabs t' get a good snug fit. Care must also be taken t' insure proper alignment when t' three tubes are joined together. Begad! T' instructions give a good hint here on rollin' t' tubes on a table while t' glue is still workable. Avast! Blimey! I would avoid usin' CA type glue t' join t' tubes because its instant settin' time would prevent you from gettin' a good alignment on all three body tubes. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I be also concerned about no method bein' offered t' prevent t' chute from fallin' down t' full 36" length o' t' body tube. T' prevent this I installed a additional tube coupler approximately 8" from t' nose cone end. Then I built a floatin' piston so that I could launch without wadding. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Other builders might wish t' construct a ventilated parachute shelf or baffle system. I also chose t' install a 24mm motor mount and fly on t' D12-5.

Finishing:
Rocket can be painted in any color or design, arrr, I chose t' paint mine in royal blue. Begad! T' kit comes with glow in t' dark adhesive decals. Begad! Blimey! They must be cut out and care is required when layin' them down. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! A trick in installin' t' larger decals is start from t' center and roll outward, matey, pressin' out t' air bubbles as you go. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! Looks great when finished and glows nicely in t' dark. Arrr! Blimey! Manufacturer warns against night launches.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Manufacturer recommends that t' Prowler be flown on B4-2, arrr, B6-2 (first flight), ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, C5-3, me bucko, C6-3. Begad! I chose t' build mine for a 24mm motor and flew it on a D12-5. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I have seen t' Prowler fly t' a low altitude on a C6-3. I would guess flight would be on marginal power on either a B4-2 or B6-2. Aye aye! Begad! RockSim 5.0 estimated me D12-5 flight t' obtain an altitude o' 620 feet, matey, I estimated that t' be within a 50 foot accuracy.

Motor retention be t' typical Estes Motor hook.

I flew t' Prowler in light winds and flight was straight and true. Ahoy! Blimey! Even when it took a slight gust off t' rod, it gave a little wiggle and then settled into a straight and true flight. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I think this can be attributed t' t' higher rod end speed on t' D12-5. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! RockSim 5.0 estimated rod end departure velocity at 42 ft/second on t' D12-5. Ahoy! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Caution should be considered if flyin' in stronger winds on a 18mm motor.

Recovery:
T' kit comes with a 24" plastic chute. Shock cord is still t' poor Estes elastic type with installation bein' t' typical Estes paper triangle glued t' t' interior body tube wall. Watch this shock cord closely if you choose t' expose it t' ejection charge heat. Avast! Aye aye! Bank on it becomin' brittle and breakin' after a few flights. Begad! Avast! This chute size works great with t' 18mm motors, due t' t' low launch height. Avast! But with t' D12-5 it can be a big floater on a 24" chute. Blimey! I used an 18" chute and recovery was perfect with no damage. Avast, me proud beauty! With me floatin' piston modification I was able t' prep smartly with no waddin' and retrieved a pristine chute every time. Blimey! Arrr! T' stock construction requires waddin' and lots o' it.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really like this rocket. A great performer and with a few changes it can be an even better performer. A great buy rangin' from $10- $18 dollars. Excellent bang for t' buck.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5