Brief: Scale model o' t' Hellfire AGM. Arrr! Flies on D-F engines. Recovery by a mylar parachute. Avast! Blimey! Very sturdy model.

Construction: T' kit arrived intact, and all parts were present, arrr, and in great condition. Aye aye! T' parts consisted o' a main paper body tube, matey, plastic nose cone, me bucko, shiver me timbers, plenty o' 3/32" balsa, me bucko, pre-cut centerin' rings, launch lug, me bucko, me hearties, templates for t' fins, and supplies for t' mylar parachute, and shock cord.

T' instructions were very easy t' follow, with good illustrations. Avast, me proud beauty! T' assembly order was very logical. Begad! Templates were provided for t' fins and tail cone. No decals are provided for this kit.

T' assembly be very straight forward, with no surprises. Ahoy! Fins have t' be cut out usin' t' templates. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' only concern be thar was no mention o' where t' place t' launch lug. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! After contactin' T' Launch Pad, they explained it was left t' t' modelers discretion where t' place t' launch lug. Well, blow me down! (see Special Note below) All t' parts fit together very well, t' provide a very sturdy and attractive kit.

Makin' paper tail cone be nay as hard as I thought it would be. Blimey! Blimey! Instructions mention great advise on makin' paper stronger.

T' Mylar parachute was pre-cut, ya bilge rat, and assembly be easy. Aye aye! Shock cord is standard, arrr, mounted inside t' body tube.

Pros: Easy and fun t' build, no special tools needed.

Cons: None!

Finishing: T' fins are long and narrow, and are easy t' seal No problems with primin' and painting.

Although thar are no decals, matey, t' instructions explain t' markings, me bucko, makin' it easy t' make your own. T' basic color o' t' rocket is olive drab, with either a black or white nose tip. Blimey! Ahoy! Paintin' t' tip may be tricky, but it doesn't reflect on t' kit.

Pros: Easy rocket t' finish and paint.

Cons: No decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight: I finally got out t' launch me Hellfire AGM. Well, blow me down! Here are t' results:

On t' first flight (D12-5) t' rocket lifted off slowly, and then t' tail began t' wobble. Well, blow me down! Eventually, shiver me timbers, t' rocket appeared lean over and fly on its side. Arrr! It gave t' impression that t' nose was much too heavy.

On t' second flight (E15-7), t' rocket took off, me bucko, arced over and crashed at full thrust. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Left a big crater too! Destroyed t' rocket.

There are 3 problems I found, all o' which are me fault:

Too much nose weight. Accordin' t' Chuck at TLP, t' nose weight should be 32 grams. T' clay that was supplied with t' kit was dry, so I substituted it with me own. T' nose weight is mentioned in t' instructions, and it is needed t' have stable flights. Begad! I didn't weigh t' supplied nose weight, me hearties, and t' actual amount o' weight I put in t' nose

Mis-aligned guidance fins. I attached t' guidance fins accordin' t' t' instructions. I checked t' alignment with t' aft fins and I used a common fin markin' guide. Avast, me proud beauty! I marked lines t' full length o' t' body where t' forward and aft fins are t' be attached. Ya scallywag! After inquirin' t' Chuck, he said t' this was t' most unlikely cause o' t' rocket accident. Begad! T' fins were nay noticeably mis-aligned, shiver me timbers, but I thought o' every possibility.

Too much wind t' launch. T' wind conditions on t' launch day was betwixt 15 and 20+ MPH. Blimey! Other rockets flown that day were slightly affected by t' weather. Well, blow me down! Larger rockets (Initiator, Mirage) displayed more effects due t' t' wind than t' smaller ones (Big Dawg, Yellow Jacket). Arrr! Ahoy! T' launch rod was angled betwixt 15 and 20 degrees from vertical.

I would conclude that t' rockets demise was due t' me impatience in construction (nose weight), arrr, me hearties, and launchin' when t' wind conditions were too strong for this specific rocket. Well, blow me down! I will take me time with me next Hellfire.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary: This rocket is extremely fun and easy t' build. It is one o' t' most attractive in me fleet. This rocket is great addition t' any fleet.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5