Brief:
A Launch Pad original, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, t' Scimitar is a two motor cluster, mid power rocket. Some skill in model rocket buildin' is needed for this kit but overall it is a very easy kit t' build.

Construction:
T' parts list:

• Two Body Tubes
• 24mm Motor Tubes and Retainers
• Couplers
• Cardboard Centerin' Rings and Bulkhead
• Plastic Nose Cone
• Balsa For Fins
• Mylar Parachute
• Elastic Shock Cord
• Fin Templates
• Cardstock Transition and Scoops

This kit came with detailed instructions and should be followed t' t' letter if you are wantin' t' same performance that TLP advertises. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Overall, shiver me timbers, t' instructions are easy t' follow. Blimey! Ya scallywag! They do nay include CP or CG locations or where t' place t' launch lugs, me hearties, but this is an advanced kit and you should be able t' determine those things for yourself anyways.

T' kit goes together very well as long as you make sure t' plan out all o' your fins on t' balsa before you cut them. They include just enough balsa t' make t' fins, but if you plan t' cuts wrong you will run out before you are done. T' balsa is also very soft and t' instructions state you are t' apply CA t' t' fins for strength. Arrr! I decided to paper t' fins with cardstock and wood glue instead. Avast, me proud beauty! If you do this, make sure you book t' fins over night so they do not curl up on you.

T' motor mounts are recessed in t' back o' t' transition pretty far so I decided t' add some material to strengthen that area and protect it from t' motors. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! I cut some thin tin flashin' I bought at Home Depot t' the appropriate size and glued it in place with JB Weld. Begad! So far t' addition o' t' flashin' has payed off. You can clearly see t' char from t' motors on t' tin but no damage t' t' rocket.

T' recovery system relies on t' old Estes three fold paper method, which I think would work just fine in this model, arrr, matey, but I decided t' change it up just a bit t' suit me. Well, blow me down! TLP includes a bulkhead that mounts up front in t' body tube makin' a parachute compartment. Ya scallywag! I think this is a great idea and it helps keep t' CG where it needs t' be and also baffles t' ejection charge some. Ya scallywag! What I did be back t' cardboard bulkhead with balsa and epoxy in place a U-bolt that I made myself out o' a coat hanger and attached a steel leader t' that. I then attached about eight foot of thick elastic then what comes in t' kit t' t' end o' t' leader. Ya scallywag! This gave me somethin' that I can pack above the waddin' t' keep from gettin' it burnt, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and t' elastic is also easily replaceable.

One thin' t' mention, if you build this rocket stock then t' parachute included is more than enough needed, shiver me timbers, but if you add t' mods that I did you will break a fin almost every time it lands. Aye aye! Aye aye! Invest in a bigger chute for it if you do decide t' bulk it up.

T' kit also includes some cardstock parts, me hearties, matey, such as t' aft transition and t' ducts that are on t' side o' the rocket. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' instructions call for soakin' t' parts in CA, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, which gives them more than enough strength. Bendin' them may be a bit tricky, but t' effects are well worth it. Well, arrr, blow me down! All said and done this is a very satisfyin' rocket t' build and fly. Aye aye!

Finishing:
T' kit does nay come with any decals, matey, but it does come with sort o' a paintin' diagram. Ya scallywag! This was such a cool looking rocket that I decided t' DX t' military theme and go with a nice sporty flame job. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I filled t' spirals and joints with wood filler and sanded and primed t' entire rocket. Arrr! I painted t' entire rocket gloss black and then after it dried I masked off t' flames and painted them metallic silver fadin' t' yellow. Avast! I also painted t' ducts on t' side of t' body silver and yellow which produced a very nice accent. Begad! Ahoy! I then clear coated t' entire rocket t' finish it off.

All paints used were Rustoleum or Krylon. Ya scallywag! I can nay remember t' specific clear coat I used on this rocket.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I have flown this rocket now over a dozen times on two Estes D12-5s and have had perfect, ya bilge rat, arrow straight flights every time. Blimey! T' motor mounts are side by side so usin' a RMS would be difficult due t' t' aft closures thrust ring. Ahoy! I have never flown this rocket on anythin' other than D12-5s and I am more than happy with it. Avast, me proud beauty! I would say that it is my favorite MPR t' fly.

For waddin' I used dog barf, but a Keelhaul®©™® or nylon chute protector would be great too. I do nothin' special with prep for flight on this rocket. Arrr! T' launch the rocket, shiver me timbers, I use a 12V system t' ensure t' clustered motors ignite together properly.

Recovery:
T' parachute included in t' kit is great if you build t' rocket stock. Begad! Arrr! If you add any weight t' it you will want to use a larger parachute or else you will break fins off o' t' back on landing. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty!

T' tri-fold paper method is used t' secure t' shock cord t' this rocket, and although I did me own mod on this, I feel that with t' included bulkhead you should be very well protected usin' t' tri-fold method.

I did use longer and better elastic for me build than what be included with t' kit.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket is outstandin' on t' field. Begad! Blimey! A few things I would change, such as t' recovery system and addin' support to t' aft end, ya bilge rat, but other than that it is wonderful t' build and t' fly.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5