Brief:
An upscaled version o' t' classic Alpha that flies on standard Estes 18mm engines. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Almost 20 inches tall, this rocket reaches heights o' 600 feet.

Construction:
Balsa Nose Cone, matey, matey, Laser-cut Balsa Fins, shiver me timbers, me bucko, Cardstock Centerin' Rings, shiver me timbers, arrr, Engine Hook, me hearties, me hearties, BT-60 body tube, me hearties, arrr, and waterslide Decals

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Arrr! T' only thin' I changed be t' add a Keelhaul®©™ shock cord that ties around t' motor tube betwixt t' upper and lower centerin' ring. Begad! I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount was inserted into t' BT. Well, blow me down! T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. Begad! Arrr! After sandin' t' BT, t' tube be marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Blimey! T' laser-cut fins are made from 1/8 hard balsa. Aye aye! T' fins leadin' edge was rounded and they were glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Well, blow me down! Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' clean up t' joints. Blimey! T' launch lugs was attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. Arrr! T' kit provides one long launch that I cut in half and installed them on t' bt about 7" apart.

T' only con was t' nose cone. Begad! It be made from hard balsa which is good, me hearties, ya bilge rat, but it was very heavy. I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. Well, blow me down! Avast! However, arrr, because o' t' weight o' t' cone hittin' t' advertised weight o' 2.2oz is nearly impossible.

Finishing:
I sealed t' balsa fins and nose cone with two coats o' Minwax Polyurethane. Ahoy! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that be brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. Well, blow me down! T' filler be sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Arrr! T' Super Alpha was painted silver with Dupli-color, and t' metallic black be Rustoleum. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! Once t' body was allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal was applied. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' decal applied easily with no issues.

Construction Rating: 4out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' Super Alpha three times on t' first day. Ya scallywag! I used an Estes C6-3, Estes C6-5, ya bilge rat, matey, and a Quest C6-3. Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! All three flights were perfect, stable, and recovered close t' t' pad. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! On one o' t' flights t' nose cone impacted t' top o' t' BT causin' very minor damage that be easily fixed.

Recovery:
T' supplied 18" 'chute is a little on t' large size, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, matey, but t' wind was less than 5mph. A 12" or 16" parachute would be better.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Estes Super Alpha is another great offering. Aye aye! Blimey! It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. Avast! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5