Brief:
Tall 4 inch 3FNC rocket built t' be compatible with hybrid motors. I picked this rocket specifically out o' t' LOC catalog when I was shoppin' for me level 2 project. Begad! It has a 54mm motor mount, matey, matey, and is dual-deploy ready. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! It also comes complete with a drogue and main parachute.

Construction:

• Plastic nose cone
• 1 4 in payload bay tube
• 1 4 in LOC avionics bay kit (6 inch long version)
• 1 4 in main airframe tube
• 1 54mm motor mount tube
• 3 Motor mount centerin' rings 4in-54mm
• 1 Recovery harness mount centerin' ring
• Recovery hardware
• 3 Fins (1/8 in plywood)
• 1 1/2 in launch lug
• 1 50 in main parachute
• 1 18 in drogue
• 1 overflow tube
• 2 lengths o' shock cord - 1/2 in elastic

In retrospect, this be a very straightforward build for a high power rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions were minimalist. Ya scallywag! Arrr! It be my level 2 project, and only me second HPR kit. Avast! Aye aye! Even with me inexperience, I had no trouble with t' instructions. Ya scallywag! I built mine with sturdy internal fillets and expandin' foam (courtesy o' PML). Aye aye! I was a little disappointed with t' 1/8 in plywood fins. Ya scallywag! They are pretty flimsy for this size rocket. Avast! Ya scallywag! And mine were warped on arrival. Well, blow me down! I had t' apply a caul to straighten them durin' assembly (see photo).

T' regular paper LOC tubes are plenty sturdy for J launches. It would be very straightforward t' glass this project, but nay really necessary unless you want t' push your luck with t' sound barrier (in which case t' fins would be t' first things t' go).

I replaced t' elastic recovery harness with tubular nylon from What's Up Hobbies. I never use elastic in HPR.

I added a 54mm Aeropack retainer. Avast, me proud beauty! I highly recommend these for a classy looking, easy t' use, reliable retainer. (No, shiver me timbers, I don't work for t' company).

Finishing:
I did nay do any fancy finishing. Well, blow me down! Just spray paint from ACE Hardware. I originally painted t' nose cone bright orange, but it flaked right off almost immediately. Begad! Well, blow me down! Clearly I have somethin' t' learn about paintin' these plastic nose cones.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
My first flight was me Level 2 certification flight on a J350, usin' a 54-38 Aeropack adapter. It was also me first dual-deployment. Begad! Aye aye! A perfectly good flight. Avast, me proud beauty! T' still picture o' t' launch is a vidcap from the launch video. Aye aye! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! This rocket had many excellent flights, shiver me timbers, mostly on J motors, all dual deployment, some drogueless.

Recovery:
A couple o' hard landings in t' desert due t' me own failings (comin' in under drogue, for example) led t' fin fractures. I was able t' repair one, shiver me timbers, but t' second was too catastrophic. Ahoy! Since I had foamed them in, ya bilge rat, I could nay repair t' fin can and had t' scrap t' rocket.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
Overall this is a terrific design. Aye aye! A very good level 2 project and a great first dual deployment rocket. I honestly do nay think it is worth t' price, shiver me timbers, matey, me hearties, especially given t' poor quality recovery harness and too-thin fins. Blimey! It is fairly easy t' build a similar design from scratch, ya bilge rat, and remedy these shortcomings, shiver me timbers, for less money. Aye aye! Avast! This kit be actually a major reason I stopped buyin' HPR kits in general and started scratch building.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5