Brief:
T' Public Enemy 4" Fatboy is a single stage high power rocket with 38mm motor mount and parachute recovery.

Construction:
Here's what you get:

• 1 pre-slotted 4" airframe, already marked for t' lug and everything. It also has a glassine coverin' t' make it smooth.
• 1 hefty V2-ish nosecone with a thick molded loop for attachment. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! T' finish is a little rough but it looks sturdy as hell.
• 4 1/4" thick plywood fins already beveled t' a 45 degree angle.
• 1 38mm motor tube.
• 3 particle board (MDF) centerin' rings. One o' them is slotted t' pass the shock cord through.
• 1 30" orange rip-stop chute with a welded rin' and a quick link.
• 1 15' x 1/2" very bright florescent orange nylon shock cord.
• 2 beveled copper launch lugs, ya bilge rat, 3/8" diameter.
• 1 vinyl Fatboy sticker
• 2 pages o' written instructions with 1 diagram.

A lot o' cool stuff for only 54 bucks. Avast! Begad! I think t' kit was pretty easy. Begad! It was me first high power kit (I certified level one with it) and I managed to get it together with out too much trauma. Begad! Everythin' lined up nicely and it's incredibly sturdy. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Buildin' t' fins and motor mount separately , and then installin' them is great. Ahoy! T' slots in t' tube line t' fins right up for you. T' pre-slotted and marked tube was a big help. T' pre-beveled fins were a winner also.

The directions were sparse but adequate, although I wish t' manufacturer would have included more motor recommendation information. T' Fatboy page on their web site just says "for H and I motors", me hearties, and if you go t' their Kit Specifications page, it lists t' simulated heights & recommended delays for t' G80 and I284 motors. For a new guy wantin' t' certify on an H motor, this information sucked. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! Only two recommended motors with a BIG difference between them. T' directions contain no motor data whatsoever.

T' stock kit has a glued in shock cord. Begad! I didn't think this be a good idea, but I installed as per instructions. Ya scallywag! I haven't heard o' one failin' but I decided t' put in a U-bolt in t' top centerin' rin' as a backup just in case, so if t' epoxy joint fails or if me shock cord gets toasted, matey, I can put on a new cord with a quick link. Begad! Begad! I also added a Keelhaul®©™® shock cord and chute protectors.

I added a Giant Leap motor retainer too, which is just two T-nuts and clips. It worked well and was cheap. Ya scallywag! Blimey! If I had more loot I probably would have bought a Slimline retainer though. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

T' manufacturer estimates t' weight at about 1 1/4 pounds. Well, blow me down! I added 5 ounces o' nose weight for stability and mine, which was built a little heavy with all 30 minute epoxy, matey, came in right at 3 pounds.

Finishing:
I did a pretty simple paint job, arrr, but t' thin' is big enough t' stripe or detail easily. Aye aye! It comes with a cool silver vinyl Fatboy sticker that I haven't put on yet.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew for me level 1 certification with a H123 with a medium delay in a Dr.Rocket 2 grain 38mm case. Ya scallywag! Begad! If flew arrow straight and had a perfect recovery.

T' second flight I used a G79 in a 29 mm case and a 38-29 adapter. Begad! Avast! Blimey! This was a mistake. Avast! Blimey! It did nay have enough power and t' delay be too long. Avast! Ya scallywag! Blimey! (I did not know how t' judge these things at t' time). Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Blimey! It made a good thump when it hit t' ground coiled in it's chute. Arrr! T' thin' is so sturdy though, I only had to straighten and re-fillet a fin. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I'm in t' process o' repaintin' it now so I'm glad I didn't put on its Fatboy sticker yet.

Recovery:
I used t' stock recovery system (except t' additions mentioned above) and everythin' worked fine. Avast, me proud beauty! T' 30" rip stop chute dropped it a little fast (some people upgrade them t' larger ones with spill holes) but I didn't mind that. Aye aye! Blimey! T' Fatboy is a sturdy rocket and I didn't want it t' drift t' Spain. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Blimey! The 15' florescent shock cord made it easy t' spot on t' way down. I don't think I'll use a black shock cord again. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I think it's a great, inexpensive level 1 rocket that is easy t' build and fly. I would definitely like t' see more motor data from Public Enemy though. Avast! If not on t' instructions, arrr, at least on t' web site, though both would be best!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

TIPS:

Tip 1-
This tip comes from a post on T' Rocketry Forum. Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! When you remove t' pre-scored slots from t' marked body tube save t' four card board pieces. Arrr! Blimey! Use t' scrap t' fill t' space behind t' fins after you insert t' fins and motor tube. It works great, me bucko, and makes t' tail nice and neat for finishing.

Tip 2-
When you epoxy in t' fins and motor tube (with t' filler pieces from tip 1) use a piece o' thin steel wire t' pull together t' bottom o' t' tube behind the fins. Avast! Blimey! Make it snug with t' bottom centerin' ring. Arrr! I did this and it kept everythin' nice and straight.