Brief:
T' Superbird is a payload rocket which features separate payload & body recovery on 14" chutes. Arrr! Aye aye!

Construction:
Upon openin' t' package, all parts were present. Begad! T' body tubes seemed t' be of good quality, matey, as were most parts. Arrr! My only gripes were t' amount o' flashing still on t' plastic nose cone, and one o' t' pre-cut fins had broken in half along t' grain. Begad! It was easily repaired with a little TLC. Reminded me o' an early Estes kit

This kit is rather easy t' assemble. Ahoy! Arrr! Nay very much in t' way o' difficulty. Since this be me first Quest kit, t' shock cord arrangement was new for me. Arrr! I liked it, and think I'll try it on all me future rockets, as I've tired of shock cord burn through. Time t' buy some Keelhaul®©™®. Anyway, ya bilge rat, t' coupler for t' payload section t' main body section was a bit cheesy. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! It consists o' a paper disc glued t' a tube coupler. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! T' cord & chute for t' upper section are attached through two holes in t' disc. I had to sand t' disc/coupler joint several times t' have a smooth fit. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It be too big t' start. A better part from Quest would work wonders here. Ahoy! Blimey! Otherwise, everythin' else was straightforward.

Finishing:
This was just a basic paint job. Begad! Ahoy! T' instructions suggest what colors t' use, but otherwise, shiver me timbers, its nothin' too tough. Ya scallywag! T' body wrap decal need a bit of convincin' t' keep t' seam down. Ahoy! I used a bit o' contact cement which worked wonders. Begad!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines for this are (Estes equivalent) B6-4, me hearties, C6-3, me bucko, C6-5. Arrr! Well, blow me down! My first flight was on a B6-4. Aye aye! Conditions were almost no wind, and a sunny. Blimey! Well, blow me down! The rocket looked great on t' pad. T' flight was straight, ya bilge rat, but altitude was a bit low. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' second flight was on a C6-3, matey, and this is where it really performed. Nice slow lift off, and impressive height. Begad! Aye aye! No spin, and it arced over nicely at apogee.

Recovery:
I must admit I had some reservations about havin' this thin' lawn dart. Ahoy! The coupler in t' kit also serves as t' shock cord anchor for t' payload stage, and it just didn't fit very well. I am happy t' report me fears were unfounded. T' bit o' sandin' I did worked well, and thar was clean separation on each flight. T' bottom section came down without much drift, ya bilge rat, but t' top went on its merry way, shiver me timbers, especially t' second time. I've cut a spill hole for t' next time I fly it t' reduce t' drift. Well, blow me down! Overall, a great looking, arrr, me hearties, nice flying, interesting, and FUN kit!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. Well, blow me down! I'd get another one if I see something I like. PROS: Cool 'big' rocket with payload & neat dual section recovery. Clear instructions & nicely done shock cord system CONS: Parts quality could be a bit better, but OK as is. Aye aye!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5