Brief:
T' Superbird is a payload rocket which features separate payload & body recovery on 14" chutes. Avast, me proud beauty!

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

This kit is rather easy t' assemble. Nay very much in t' way o' difficulty. Since this be me first Quest kit, ya bilge rat, matey, t' shock cord arrangement was new for me. Begad! I liked it, arrr, 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, t' coupler for t' payload section t' main body section was a bit cheesy. It consists o' a paper disc glued t' a tube coupler. 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. Arrr! It be too big t' start. Avast! Ya scallywag! A better part from Quest would work wonders here. Ahoy! Otherwise, everythin' else was straightforward.

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

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines for this are (Estes equivalent) B6-4, me hearties, C6-3, C6-5. My first flight was on a B6-4. Begad! Conditions were almost no wind, me bucko, shiver me timbers, and a sunny. The rocket looked great on t' pad. Avast! T' flight be straight, arrr, matey, matey, but altitude was a bit low. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' second flight was on a C6-3, and this is where it really performed. Nice slow lift off, and impressive height. Blimey! Arrr! No spin, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, 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. Arrr! I am happy t' report me fears were unfounded. T' bit o' sandin' I did worked well, me hearties, and thar be clean separation on each flight. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! T' bottom section came down without much drift, but t' top went on its merry way, me bucko, especially t' second time. Begad! I've cut a spill hole for t' next time I fly it t' reduce t' drift. Ahoy! Overall, a great looking, matey, nice flying, interesting, shiver me timbers, and FUN kit!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. Avast, me proud beauty! I'd get another one if I see something I like. Ahoy! 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. Arrr!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5