Brief
T' Lunar Express Jr. is a model based on t' 1950s Sci-Fi concept o' a single stage rocket that could go t' t' moon and back. Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' model is capable o' takin' a 38mm motor, me hearties, but has an adapter t' accommodate a 29mm motor.

Construction
T' kit has high quality like all t' PML kits and t' completed rocket is capable o' takin' a beatin' without damage. Aye aye! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! There are some tricky steps in t' directions, where epoxy must be poured into t' model betwixt some small gaps. Ahoy! Be sure t' follow t' directions carefully. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' model has no motor retention system, matey, matey, so be aware o' this short-comin' at t' beginnin' o' t' construction.

I used t' 29mm adapter kit and made a retro-fit for t' motor retention system. Aye aye! Blimey! I drilled a 3/32 inch hole through t' body and t' adaptor tube 1/2 inch from t' end o' t' rocket with t' adapter tube in place. Begad! I then made a bracket 2-3/8 inch long from 1/16" x 1/4" brass stock that I bought from a local hobby shop. Ahoy! A 3/32 inch metal drill bit was used t' drill a hole through t' brass stock about 7/16" from t' forward end. Begad! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! I bent t' strip at about 2" t' form a retrainin' hook for t' motor. Arrr! A 3/32" x 1/2" threaded bolt completes t' retention system. Aye aye! Blimey!

Finishing:
As usual one should use disposable rubber gloves t' build t' fillets on t' fins. Avast, me proud beauty! T' short main body tube required sandin' in order t' have a good match with t' nose cone and t' boat-tail part. I did nay use t' kit decals. Avast, me proud beauty! I wanted a 1950's Sci-Fi look, ya bilge rat, so I painted t' model with Dutch Boy Instant Chrome (chrome aluminum 4101) paint. This gave t' desired look, but t' finish was susceptible t' finger-prints no matter how long t' t' paint dried. Currently, I am thinkin' o' tryin' clear coat on top o' t' chrome, but this will require some experimentation t' be sure that it will work.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight
T' rocket flies straight with 6 oz. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! o' weight added t' t' nose.

My retention system worked well on t' maiden flight. I used an H180-M for t' maiden flight, matey, but this time delay is too long. Avast, me proud beauty! An H180-S should work better. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! As a result t' elastic came undone from t' nose cone "Kwik-Link". Avast, me proud beauty! T' nose cone buried itself in dirt, but did survive t' fall. Arrr! Begad! Obviously, this is somethin' that should nay be repeated.

Recovery
T' piston ejection system works great. Be sure t' choose a time delay that is nay too long. Well, blow me down! Otherwise, too much stress may cause t' nose cone t' separate. A separate parachute for t' nose cone and body might be a good idea.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary
T' design o' t' rocket is a real eye-catcher and will appeal t' t' nostalgic Sci-Fi and fun days o' t' 1950s. Begad! A retention system is needed and separate parachutes for t' nose cone and body might be a good idea.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5