Brief:
This rocket goes back t' t' time when t' body o' a rocket was so thin it could nay support its own weight. Ya scallywag! T' rockets relied on t' pressurization o' t' fuel t' keep them from collapsing. Aye aye! T' Dude has a fin/motor mount cage and then a chrome covered nylon "balloon" that is inflated for t' body and nose.

Construction:
There are no body tubes. Aye aye! A simple plastic cage consistin' o' 2 rings and 3 supports get glued together with plastic cement. Begad! T' Dude comes with a pre-assembled motor mount. Begad! This motor mount slides onto t' fins and is glued in place. Well, blow me down! Arrr! This motor mount/fin assembly is then glued t' t' cage.

T' instructions were simple t' follow. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! All you need for supplies is plastic cement. There actually is very little construction required. Begad! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I did need t' do a bit o' trimmin' where t' cage and motor mount/fin assembly joined. Bein' a balloon, me bucko, t' unit is nay very sturdy. Ahoy! Blimey! T' balloon attaches t' t' cage with tape. Ahoy! Blimey! T' launch lugs (2) are taped t' t' side o' t' balloon. Arrr! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! There is a top rin' that is weighted t' ensure t' stability. Arrr! Blimey! This rin' is just taped t' t' balloon. A line runs from this rin' down t' t' motor mount. Well, blow me down! Blimey! There is a 12" parachute that ties t' this string. It is ejected out t' side from t' motor mount.

Finishing:
No finishin' is required. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' chromed balloon looks cool as is.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' only recommended motor be t' D12-3. Begad! Arrr! T' motor easily slides into t' mount. Blimey! Blimey! There is a twist rin' t' hold t' motor in place. Avast! Waddin' is required t' protect t' parachute. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! I feel thar be a problem with launchin' this rocket. Ya scallywag! Arrr! First, it comes with a "launch pad" that is a stake you are supposed t' push into t' ground. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Good luck if you have hard or rocky soil. Begad! Also, matey, t' instructions do state launch with little or no wind. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Since t' balloon is so wide and tall, yet light weight, it catches t' wind very easily. Begad! I tried flyin' in 5 mph winds with 10 mph gusts. Aye aye! Begad! Durin' one gust t' rocket leaned over and t' top o' t' stake that holds t' rod broke off. I ended up just puttin' t' rod directly into t' ground. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket stayed upright durin' t' flight. Ya scallywag! In fact, instead o' weather cocking, it sort o' went side-ways with t' wind. Blimey! It is a very sloooww flyin' rocket.

Recovery:
As I indicated earlier, me hearties, t' parachute is located at t' bottom in t' motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It is ejected sideways, me hearties, then moves t' t' top by t' strin' attached t' t' top ring. Arrr! T' parachute causes t' rocket t' drift down horizontally instead o' makin' a nose-down ballistic flight. Begad! Again, due t' how light t' rocket is compared t' its size, me bucko, it will drift far in t' wind.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a cool lookin' rocket and does impress t' people watching. However, thar are several problems. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Don't try flyin' if thar be any wind. Blimey! T' launch pad is useless. Avast, me proud beauty! Unfortunately, t' rocket uses a 1/4" rod so a standard Estes launch pad can't handle it. I would try t' find another way t' hold t' rod instead o' t' stake (unless you are launchin' at a beach). Avast! I've flown t' rocket twice, and I two places where t' seam o' t' balloon let go. Avast, me proud beauty! A little cleapackin' tape fixed that problem.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5