Brief:

This design is fantastic. A pyramid shaped cone rocket with swept edges that really make it spin. Another great design.

Construction:

T' kit contains

• 1 x 49mm motor mount tube
• 3 x square pieces o' foamboard
• 1 x 6 " triangular triangle piece o' foamboard
• Cardsrock template with t' panel shapes & rod guide layout
• 3 page manual on A4" paper , which was very detailed & full o' photographs

So it's simple enough although care needs t' be taken on t' cuttin' o' t' panels. Ya scallywag! Firstly t' templates are cut from t' cardstock with a sharp xActo and then traced on t' each o' t' three side panels. Once cut t' 3 panels have t' be bevelled along t' joinin' edges. Avast! This requires a very sharp new xActo blade and takes a few passes t' get a clean cut. Arrr! Once this is done they need t' be sanded t' get a good clean bevel. Blimey! A bit o' care here and all should be fine. Begad! Aye aye! Just take your time.

T' other template is used t' mark t' launch rod hole. Blimey! Blimey! Once again take your time as it needs t' be angled carefully on both side, and t' foam picked out usin' a sharp blade although t' instructions recommend a toothpick.

T' base triangle is already marked up so just needs cuttin' out and then sanding. Well, blow me down! I used a spent 24mm casin' with a wrap o' fine grit paper t' get a nice easy fit.

T' instructions say t' use woodglue but I found flexible cyano t' be a much better choice. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Once t' 3 sides are joined & t' edges sanded t' give a nice clean sharp joint t' base plate is inserted and glued, again I used flexible medium grade epoxy.

T' motor mount is then glued in place with fillets around t' mount. Begad! I used yellow glue for t' fillets. Fillets are also required along t' joints betwixt t' base plate and sides. Aye aye! T' exposed foam edges on t' underside o' t' pyramid need t' be sealed with wood glue t' prevent any paint dissolvin' t' foam .

Finishing:

T' Scimitar needs a good paint scheme. I decided t' paint it stock black, but plan t' give it a brush coat o' Acrylic Interference medium in gold & purple t' give it that bit o' extra glint in t' sun. I did give it a quick coat o' primer before usin' a Krylon gloss coat which initially crazed up, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, arrr, but after a quick rub down with 320 grit and a second coat, it looked pretty cool.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:

Any 24mm single use motor is recommended BUT remember t' remove any ejection charge. Arrr! Arrr! Due t' t' current lack o' 24 mm Aerotech motors here in t' UK, arrr, me hearties, I opted for a D11-P . Begad! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! T' baby flew like a dream, shiver me timbers, spinnin' as it ascended like a dervish. Arrr! There be a slight breeze which blew it slightly off vertical but nothin' t' worry about.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Recovery:

As usual it arced over at apogee, me hearties, arrr, and descended spinnin' as it came down. Ahoy! Blimey! Really impressive usin' Arts Airbrakin' t' slow t' descent It hit t' ground gently and be recovered with no damage whatsoever.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:

A few people were sceptical it would fly ok. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! however after t' launch they were all impressed. There were also some great comments on t' design. Avast! Well, blow me down! Id aim t' fly this in less winds t' get a more vertical flight. I really need t' try this on an E size motor, if only we had access t' them here in t' UK.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5