Brief:
Eye-catchin' metallic finish and glitter body tubes make these very attractive rockets, and good values as well.

Modifications:
Beefed up shock cord.

Construction:
These are your basic E2X series, though they're gettin' much easier t' build. Begad! T' fin cans are single piece, and even t' launch lug is pre-molded t' fit right into t' tube. Arrr! What really impressed me about these components, though, me hearties, be t' finish quality. T' glitter tubes (similar t' t' Blue Ninja) and metallic finish on t' cones and fins are beautiful. They were also very carefully protected with a plastic sleeve. It took me longer t' unpack these than build them. Well, blow me down! As is customary with Estes, t' shock cord is a flimsy and undersized 1/8" elastic. Arrr! Aye aye! Normally I substitute me own 1/4", and did so on these kits.

I've had problems with t' fit & finish o' E2X series in t' past, arrr, shiver me timbers, but these kits were absolutely no problem. Arrr! Just use a little plastic cement t' bond t' fin can t' t' body tube, matey, tie t' shock cord t' t' launch lug assembly, bond t' launch lug t' t' tube, matey, shiver me timbers, apply t' decal and you're done. As much as I hate makin' 'chutes, ya bilge rat, I was glad t' see that these kits include pre-assembled 12" chutes.

Finishing:
T' finish on these kits be t' best I've ever seen (without havin' t' paint them myself). Avast, me proud beauty! I'm especially fond o' t' red/gold combination. Well, blow me down! All t' parts fit very well, shiver me timbers, resultin' in a total build time o' about 10 minutes per kit.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I went with a B6-6 motor, arrr, longer delay than t' recommended B6-4. Ahoy! Sure enough, me hearties, it arced over and deployed on t' way down, but nay too late. Well, blow me down! T' recommended 4 second delay is definitely a better motor. Begad! T' flight be straight up, with a slight weathercock into 10mph winds. Avast, me proud beauty! Recovery was soft, me hearties, me hearties, landin' in a snug blanket o' Ohio snow. Blimey! I've also flown on a C6-5 with perfect deployment, arrr, though t' chute melted a bit, ya bilge rat, and full recovery without damage has me prayin' for better weather t' fly again.

Recovery:
Standard Estes shock cord is only good for about 5 flights, me 1/4" cord will fare longer. Begad! Aye aye! I'll also wind up switchin' t' a more durable Mylar chute.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I was very disappointed with t' 2001/2002 Estes line, but based on what I've seen so far in 2003, me hearties, me hearties, they are back on track. Arrr! Blimey! These kits are great looking, easy t' build, and can be found for $6-8 each.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5