T' Interceptor Gis futuristic manned space vehicle that looks very impressive in t' catalog, on t' box, me bucko, and built. I found out recently that Jim Stuckman was goin' t' fly his one weekend after me, me bucko, so we decided t' do this joint review. 

T' kit is deemed by Estes in t' instructions as a "carefully designed and tested" kit t' be "realistic, challenging, me hearties, and extremely high flying". They also indicate that they hope that we "spend many enjoyable hours constructin' and flying" t' kit.

T' kit is made up o' a variety o' materials includin' plastic nose cones and accessories, ya bilge rat, 1/8" plywood centerin' rings and small wings and rudders, 1/8" basswood large wings and rudders and a vacu-formed tail cone. T' 2.5" main body tube is kraft paper measurin' 34" long and is 1/16" thick. T' two booster tubes are BT-60A. Aye aye! T' kit uses 1/4" launch lugs. Begad! T' kit uses 1/4" launch lugs. Arrr! It comes with t' GOR-1 Gorilla Shock Cord Mount Kit which includes a 1/16" cable and a 1/2" wide, 72" long elastic shock cord and mountin' hardware. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Also for recovery, me hearties, thar be a red 36" rip-stop parachute. Avast! Lastly thar are two sheets o' decals which really give t' kit its looks.

When finished t' Interceptor G™ should stand 43.8" and weigh approximately 16 ounces without a motor.
 
 

Essence:
T' Interceptor Gwas a rocket that I just had t' have and I purchased it 10 months ago. Arrr! Begad! Over t' past 10 months me thoughts and feelings about this kit have been like a roller coaster as you will see throughout t' review. Begad! It definitely offered me a "challenging" kit and it definitely took "hours" t' build. Just t' decals took over a hour!

My initial disappointment be that this kit didn't seem t' have t' North Coast's Gorilla-Lok motor mount. Begad! Estes confirmed that this be t' only North Coast kit that doesn't!

Stuckman:
I've had this kit for 3 months and decided it was time t' try somethin' a little different from t' typical 3FNC kits that are t' norm for 29mm kits. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! This kit is definitely an attention getter at t' field both on t' ground and especially in t' air!

My first impression was: nice wood & cool decals! Blimey! T' laser cuttin' was first quality. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Upon readin' through t' instructions, I saw that they mentioned usin' t' NCR plastic motor retainer t' secure t' motor in t' flight prep. A quick call t' Estes confirmed that this kit does nay have one and that later versions o' t' instructions have already been updated.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' kit comes with a twelve page instruction set, with t' first seven pages havin' somethin' t' do with construction. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! There are relatively few illustrations if comparin' t' an Estes kit. Begad! Begad! T' instructions were in a logical order and if read carefully, and without skippin' steps, matey, one can successfully build t' Interceptor G™. T' instructions do, however, me hearties, largely contribute t' this kit bein' challengin' and may nay support t' statement in t' NCR catalog about this kit bein' "perfect for all modelers t' build".It is obvious that this is nay an Estes kit and requires an experienced, me bucko, ya bilge rat, patient rocketeer t' build successfully and nay get frustrated durin' t' process.

T' wings and rudders on this kit come in two pieces that are glued together before attachin' t' t' body tube. They are fairly easy t' work with and t' instructions make a good point t' sand, me bucko, fill and round them before gluin' t' t' body tube.

T' Gorilla™™ Shock Cord Mount requires a pair o' crimpers (or needle nose). Avast, me proud beauty! This consists o' a cable that is looped-through t' upper centerin' rin' and t' held together with a sleeve connector. Aye aye! T' opposite end also has a loop that is held in place with another connector. Arrr! T' picture in t' instructions did nay represent t' actual assembly, however, t' textual instructions did.

T' tail cone is made o' vacu-formed plastic and requires cuttin' it out o' t' form. Aye aye! Avast! Take your time on this.

T' fins (wings and rudders) are nay through-the-wall mounting. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! T' instructions indicate usin' a T-Pin t' make holes on t' fin line marks. Aye aye! Aye aye! These would then act like rivets t' help secure t' fins t' t' body tube.

For finishin' detail, t' Interceptor G™ comes with many, many colorful, me bucko, self-adhesive decals and some plastic parts. Aye aye! T' plastic parts are glued on in various places o' t' rocket t' represent components like t' turbine exhaust ducts, rate gyro fairings, stabilizer thrust motors, me bucko, APU pressure elbows and antenna connectors.

Essence:
We have all heard and read information regardin' NCR's use o' a slightly smaller mount tube, ya bilge rat, however, me hearties, I try very hard t' build kits stock when reviewin' them and therefore, arrr, matey, I built this one stock. Begad! It's funny though, because I think t' centerin' rings were cut for a standard 29mm tube. Blimey! When installin' them they were too loose on t' motor mount tube. Blimey! This actually got me very frustrated for two reasons. First, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I didn't get them t' be perfectly parallel so it was a tight fit into t' main body tube, matey, and secondly, this was t' most expensive kit I had purchased (lists at $79.99), ya bilge rat, me bucko, t' date, and I expected them t' fit.

Stuckman:
Here's where Nick & I differ a little. I'm a firm believer in buildin' t' kit t' me satisfaction - especially when we are nay talkin' about an entry level model. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! I made t' followin' modifications/deviations from t' plans:

1. Motor Mount Tube - replaced with PML 29mm. Arrr! Avast! This be an easy modification that required a little time with some 120 grit sandpaper t' open up t' inner hole on t' centerin' rings.

2. Blimey! Blimey! Added plywood rin' t' aft o' MMT for 4-40 blind nuts. This allows t' use o' positive motor retention. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I'm nay a big fan o' friction fittin' RMS cases! Blimey! I sized t' rearward rin' t' mount inside t' tail cone approx. Aye aye! Blimey! 1/4" from t' aft edge o' t' motor mount tube.

Essence:
I be somewhat disappointed, again, with t' Gorilla Shock Cord Mount. Aye aye! T' cable is designed t' go through two holes in t' upper centerin' ring. Avast! Ya scallywag! These holes were aligned in such a way that t' loop would have run parallel with t' grain o' t' centerin' ring. I saw this as a potential problem o' puttin' undue stress on this centerin' ring. Blimey! Begad! I took some o' t' excess wood and glued it t' t' bottom o' t' centerin' ring, matey, in-between t' two holes and so that t' grain be perpendicular t' t' centerin' rin' grain. Well, blow me down! Blimey! This may nay have been necessary, but I'd hate t' have t' cable break through t' centerin' rin' and then have t' try t' repair that.

Stuckman:
I built me kit's shock cord mount per t' instructions. T' Gorilla Mount is bullet proof! If built properly, ya bilge rat, I can see no way t' have a zipper as some people have reported with other NCR kits. I use this basic setup on most o' me larger rockets. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Be sure t' wire loop DOES NOT protrude past t' end o' t' body tube!

Essence:
Another challenge with assembly was t' vacu-formed tail cone. Blimey! It comes with two pieces, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, t' coupler and tail cone. Begad! Ahoy! After t' motor mount is installed in t' kit, me bucko, t' coupler is t' be glued into place and then t' tail cone. Begad! Aye aye! T' fit was nay great and when t' instructions say t' "fill t' joint and sand flush", arrr, they mean this as a requirement.

Stuckman:
Fittin' t' tail cone is an exercise in precision. Well, blow me down! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Take you time and test fit t' parts often. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! It's nay hard t' do but needs t' be done slowly t' get a proper fit. I still needed t' fill t' tail cone/body tube joint but t' result be fine.

Essence:
With respect t' usin' t' T-Pin t' make holes for rivets, matey, I deviated from this. Avast! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! I actually make slits usin' a hobby knife. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I make t' slits perpendicular t' t' fin line and about 1/4" long. Begad! Blimey! I then wiggle me hobby knife back-and-forth t' open t' slit up slightly. Aye aye! Blimey! When I glue t' fins onto t' body tube, I use plenty o' glue t' allow it t' go into t' slits. Begad! Blimey! T' fillets will fill t' slits that are outside o' t' fin coverage. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! This has been a successful technique on 3 other kits that don't have through-the-wall fin attachment.

Stuckman:
I would have preferred TTW fins. I followed t' instructions and used a T pin t' poke holes in t' BT all along t' area where t' fin mounts. Begad! I glued all t' fins t' t' BT with 12 minute epoxy and then used 30 minute epoxy t' form fillets. Ya scallywag! This method was put t' t' test - t' chute fouled on t' 1st flight and t' Interceptor came in VERY fast! One rudder was cracked just above t' fillet but stayed attached t' t' rocket.

Essence:
Finishin' t' kit be challengin' due t' all o' t' component. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Blimey! I filled t' spirals on t' main body tube with light spackle. Ahoy! Blimey! Also used this for areas around t' tail cone. T' remainin' imperfections were filled with multiple coats o' Plasti-Kote primer. Aye aye! Blimey! Once I finished smoothin' and priming, I painted t' entire rocket with $0.98 Walmart White enamel. (additional comments about Walmart paint) T' rocket then set for another two weeks before I did t' decals. Avast! As stated earlier, me bucko, I spent an hour on t' decals. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Finally, arrr, after paintin' t' extra plastic parts silver, I glued them into place.

T' instructions give clear direction as t' t' paint scheme for t' Interceptor G™, shiver me timbers, however, I did nay follow it. I think usin' just t' gloss white and silver components with t' colorful decals still produced a very attractive kit.

Stuckman:
I used spackle t' fill around t' tail cone. Blimey! I then gave t' rocket 2 coats o' Pactra Prep surfacer/primer, sandin' betwixt coats. Aye aye! Begad! I then sprayed 2 coats o' Krylon white. I also added an 8" plastic RC airplane canopy from Sig. Begad! I cut it down until I felt it looked "right" and then sprayed t' inside with Patra Outlaw Black RC car paint. Avast, me proud beauty! I'm very pleased with t' effect!

Essence:
Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 3 points. It is challengin' as stated, ya bilge rat, but that is nay t' issue. Avast, me proud beauty! With t' fit o' t' centerin' rings and t' tail cone, it would be hard for me t' rate t' kit greater than average. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Also addin' t' this ratin' was me unproved concern over t' centerin' rin' grain and t' shock cord cable.

Stuckman:
I would rate this kit 3 1/2 points for overall construction. Avast! I would like t' see North Coast show a means o' positive motor retention. Blimey! I think t' tail cone construction could also be improved. Arrr! Arrr! It works but takes a fair amount o' effort.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

T' Interceptor G sits majestically on t' launch pad. Begad! Its recommended motors are t' Darkstar™ F62-4 and t' G70-5 (currently nay available). Avast! Blimey! It uses two 1/4" launch lugs.

Flight preparation includes, ya bilge rat, arrr, ya bilge rat, accordin' t' t' instructions, shiver me timbers, "placin' . . . Ya scallywag! Begad! recovery waddin' into t' top o' t' main body tube. Aye aye! Fill t' tube loosely with wadin' t' a distance about 1.5 times t' diameter o' t' tube. Begad! Gently press t' waddin' down until thar be adequate room for t' parachute. Blimey! DO NOT JAM!" T' instructions are also clear in parachute preparation and then mention checkin' t' nose cone for a snug fit.

Recovery is via a 38" rip-stop nylon parachute.

If built stock, arrr, shiver me timbers, t' Interceptor G requires that t' motor be friction fit, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, even though t' instructions mention puttin' a motor retainer in place . Ahoy! . Avast! . no doubt t' Gorilla-Lok motor mount which is nay on this kit!

Essence:
My Interceptor G flew three times in t' same day all on F62-4's. T' first flight was off t' pad at a slight angle. Begad! It was parallel t' t' ground and arcin' back before ejection. Begad! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! It then had a very nice, arrr, shiver me timbers, matey, slow descent on its red 38" 'chute. Well, blow me down! Blimey! By comparison, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, t' Interceptor G weighs about t' same as me PML Callisto which uses a 24" parachute with a spill hole, matey, so it came down much slower. It is a good thin' since thar are many more fins, rudders and plastic parts t' protect from a speedy landing. Aye aye! First recovery showed no damage.

Second flight was straight up off t' pad and another successful recovery, except, me bucko, a dent in t' nose cone openin' where t' cone obviously kicked back and hit it. Blimey! Longer shock cord?

Last flight was again, ya bilge rat, picture perfect (see picture).

Stuckman:
T' first flight be on a cool and windy (10 mph+) day. Begad! I used an Aerotech F20-4 Econojet. T' rocket flew great! Lift-off be smooth and t' rocket flew much more stable than I would have thought in t' wind. Begad! T' silhouette is very distinctive in flight. Ahoy! T' 4 second delay was right on but t' chute did nay fully deploy and resulted in a very fast landing. Aye aye! T' right rudder took t' shock and cracked but has already been repaired and is awaitin' paint.

Essence:
For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, me hearties, matey, I would rate this kit 3 1/2 points.It looks great and will draw attention, but without a positive motor retention, only 1 motor (to date) t' fly t' stock kit on, and t' requirement for waddin' keeps t' kit in t' average level.

Stuckman:
I would rate this kit 4 points for flight (I reserve recovery ratin' for later!). Avast, me proud beauty! Well, me hearties, blow me down! It's a fantastic flyer. Avast! Aye aye! I do nay attribute t' chute foulin' t' t' kit's design - it deployed from t' BT fine but tangled with t' shock cord.

Essence:
Overall, arrr, this kit is very challenging, shiver me timbers, however, shiver me timbers, it looks great! It is a good flyer but needs some changes t' make it versatile for other motors. Avast, me proud beauty! I give t' kit an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 1/2 points.

Stuckman:
Overall, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I would rate this kit a solid 4 points. Avast! Well, blow me down! If you are lookin' for a change o' pace give t' NCR Interceptor G a look!