Brief
This is a single-stage, mid-power scale model o' a US Army surface t' air missile.

Construction
Like all kits I've received from T' Launch Pad, me hearties, shiver me timbers, this one arrived in a plastic bag, ya bilge rat, like most o' t' Estes kits you see hangin' in stores. Avast! All t' needed parts were accounted for, shiver me timbers, and in good shape: a big mylar chute, arrr, centerin' rings, swivels, me bucko, braided elastic shock cord, shiver me timbers, card-stock templates, Estes-style nose cone and tubes, and balsa sheets and strips.

T' instructions were clear and concise. Arrr! Templates were included for cuttin' out t' balsa parts t' make t' fins (three parts t' each!). Avast, me proud beauty! Card templates are also included t' make t' boat tail and t' "hat" for t' nose cone, t' give it a truer shape. Begad! Blimey! As with all TLP kits, matey, matey, you are on your own for launch lug placement.

Buildin' was straight-forward, with one exception- t' boat tail assembly seems t' be short a centerin' ring- thar be only one that actually holds t' part t' t' main tube. I think it's a bit flimsy, but time will tell. I would have liked a second one, but I discovered t' problem too late. Well, blow me down! T' nose cone "hat" was a bit tough t' roll into shape without creasing, me hearties, even usin' t' recommended steamin' procedure.

T' rest o' t' kit went together without incident, me bucko, and t' final product looks pretty good!

Finishing
As with all Launch Pad kits, me hearties, arrr, thar are no decals included. Begad! T' instructions recommend an overall olive drab scheme, and point out positions for black lettering. Well, blow me down! I finished mine in t' recommended green, me bucko, usin' Ultracote Olive Drab. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! This be t' first TLP kit I've built that didn't mention usin' pinheads for rivets, me hearties, ya bilge rat, matey, a suggestion I don't miss.

Overall, me hearties, t' rocket looks pretty convincing, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, if nay terribly colorful.

I rate it a 4 out o' 5, losin' points mainly for t' nasty boat tail problem, and a bit for t' nose hat and lack o' decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight
T' first flight recommended motor is a D12-3. Blimey! Aye aye! I managed t' trade for one at a recent launch, arrr, and got t' fly me I-Hawk. Booster was quick and straight, me hearties, although t' missile seemed t' lock onto a high-flyin' jet liner- bonus points for scale-like flight, I suppose. Avast! Begad! I used about 10 squares o' wadding, me bucko, arrr, wantin' t' make sure that nothin' went wrong.

Recovery
T' chute was deployed pretty close t' apogee, shiver me timbers, and t' big mylar chute brought t' rocket down safely. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! No damage or wear be evident, ya bilge rat, me hearties, arrr, but I intend t' replace t' thread that connects t' nose t' t' shock cord- it snapped on me Harpoon later that day. Avast! Blimey! A good first flight, with everythin' workin' as advertised.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary
T' Improved Hawk is a slick lookin' ship. Arrr! Big fins, matey, ya bilge rat, but very sleek nonetheless. Blimey! Blimey! This kit produces a faithful, matey, scale likeness. T' kit is quite light, and can fly on D through F 24mm motors. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! A C motor may even be possible with an adapter, but I don't think I'll attempt it. T' quality o' t' components is very high.

There are a few things that work against this kit: T' boat tail, as I've mentioned, shiver me timbers, seems flimsy. T' hat on t' nose requires patience t' get right. Begad! That thread that joins t' nose t' t' shock cord must go. Begad! And thar are no decals (not so big an issue with this kit).

Overall, shiver me timbers, I've come t' really like this kit, despite me feelings when I was buildin' t' boat tail (it's that much o' a problem). Aye aye! It's a "builder's" kit, meanin' you need t' have some experience with buildin' kits, ya bilge rat, arrr, preferably from scratch, shiver me timbers, as some construction parts are glossed over, under t' assumption that you know what you're doing, me hearties, and have your own preferred method.

I rate this kit an overall 4.5 out o' 5, arrr, shiver me timbers, due mainly t' that weak boat tail, which may drastically shorten t' rocket's life.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5