Zoomie™ is 6" long with a little over an 8" wing span and flies on mini (13mm) motors. It is a boost glider because it ejects a portion o' t' rocket while t' remainin' portion glides t' earth. Arrr! In the Zoomie's™ case, arrr, arrr, it ejects t' motor casing.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' kit includes an 11x17 instruction sheet printed on both sides, matey, ya bilge rat, a laser-cut balsa sheet with t' four win' pieces, a 2" long body tube, a 2" long launch lug, a short, balsa nose cone, ya bilge rat, and a small piece o' clay.

T' instructions were very clear and thoroughly illustrated. Well, blow me down! I really want t' emphasize that. Ya scallywag! Arrr! In fact, arrr, Holverson comments, "This instruction sheet is laid out t' allow you t' start a rocket plans reference file. Save your entire set o' instructions for future reference." T' instructions cover building, me hearties, finishing, me bucko, trimmin' and flyin' o' t' Zoomie™. Avast! They also tell a little bit about boost gliders as defined by NAR.

Assemby is very easy but takes a little time t' ensure the wings are built properly. Durin' assembly o' t' wings a small square is good t' have t' ensure t' win' tip is at a 90° angle. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! T' instructions are very good here indicatin' t' need for pins t' hold while drying.

I have read about a glue technique that was used for the build o' t' Zoomie™, however, this be t' first time I used it. Avast, me proud beauty! That is a double-glue technique. Ahoy! First t' edges that are goin' t' be glued together get a light coat o' white glue and then are allowed t' dry. Then they are coated again and assembled. It is t' "increase t' strength o' the joint." accordin' t' t' instructions.

T' only part that I had some difficulty on was the sandin' t' joint o' t' wings. Ya scallywag! Blimey! With t' win' tips assembled, me bucko, each win' looks like a "L". Well, blow me down! Blimey! With both wings layin' on t' table as they would be assembled, me bucko, t' joint is t' be sanded t' allow them t' adjoin flushly. Aye aye! Blimey! This is done by sandin' until it is perpendicular t' t' table. Well, blow me down! Doesn't sound hard but I had some trouble and had t' take several shots at it. Ahoy! Blimey! Only advice I have is to go slow.

I didn't really "finish" t' Zoomie™ although t' instructions gave good information for sanding, sealin' and painting. Ahoy! I hit mine with some fluorescent green paint. It really made it very visible.

Overall, me bucko, arrr, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 4 points. It is easy t' build on its own, arrr, however, with excellent instructions . . Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! . Ya scallywag! it's a snap.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

I practiced on three separate occasions trimmin' the Zoomie™ in t' back yard and did as t' instructions said. Aye aye! Then one day I went t' t' field for t' flights. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! I tossed it thar and found that I had to trim again . Aye aye! Blimey! . Arrr! . Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! removin' most o' t' clay I added t' t' win' tips. Begad! So again, the instructions hinted at this by sayin' "Balsa gliders are tempermental about holdin' their trim over changes in t' climate."

I popped in a 1/2A3-4 and took a picture and let her go. After a slight spiral in t' climb, me hearties, matey, she arced over and "pop" ejected t' motor. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' motor casin' hit the ground right near me as t' Zoomie™ took a steep dive toward t' earth. Accordin' t' t' instructions, this indicated that I needed additional weight in t' rear.

I added t' weight and flew t' Zoomie™ three more times on 1/2A3's. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Each time I determined t' add a bit more clay t' t' aft of the wings and each time t' glide got better.

T' 5th flight was on an A10-3. Ya scallywag! T' climb be several large spirals. It was way up there. Aye aye! Avast! I heard t' "pop" but never saw a the motor or t' glider again.

Holverson recommends 1/2A3's and A3's

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, arrr, I would rate this kit 3 points. Ya scallywag! I have watched other larger gliders at launches and they can really glide. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! This little bird didn't compare, me bucko, however, me hearties, me bucko, it does provide a good way t' get into glidin' and was fun. If I were t' build another, I would never fly in on anythin' bigger than 1/2A's though. It's just too small and goes out o' sight.

This was me first glider. Begad! Begad! I had fun with it, matey, but I believe that I needed t' flight tests t' trim it. It seemed t' act differently in t' air than me toss-testin' it. Arrr! Ya scallywag! I highly doubt this could win any duration events, arrr, even after extensive trimming, but it was easy t' build and fun t' fly. I give t' kit an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 1/2 points.