Brief:
Single stage, 14" chute realistic scale-like easy t' build LPR kit

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• 3 tubes
• 4 plastic snap in fins
• 2 piece fin can
• 1 launch lug
• 1 chute kit with elastic shock cord
• 2 plastic transitions
• 1 plastic nose

While lookin' for an old MPC Nike Smoke, I was told that Quest had bought the molds and re-released it. Arrr! Durin' me quest, me bucko, I happened t' run across the Aries. I'm glad I did. Ahoy! Despite t' fact that this is a beginner's kit with plastic snap-together pieces, it is really designed remarkably well and is a very good looker too.

T' plastic fin can incorporates a thrust rin' (tab) and t' two pieces snap together. Ahoy! T' four molded plastic fins fit into slots in t' can and slide down t' lock into place. For a $10 kit, this is some marvelous little engineering--it's would be called a cool hack in computers. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Except for this very nice but unique fin can design, arrr, all t' buildin' be extremely easy and the well done instructions wouldn't be necessary except for t' complete beginner.

T' transitions and nose are molded t' look like a present day launch vehicle, matey, I suspect an Ariane (hence t' name Aries). It comes with some extra plastic parts (possibly surplus from other kits) that can be glued on as you wish t' dress it up, which I did. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It just looks...neat.

For a beginner with only t' most common tools and materials, me bucko, this is a 1 hour build. I did it in 15 minutes.

Finishing:
T' tubes come pre-coated with white paper. Ahoy! Blimey! T' only finishin' involved is in puttin' on t' vinyl decals. Paintin' is possible, me hearties, but I can't see how that'd improve it much.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
B and C motors are recommended. T' 14" chute is hard t' pack properly, me bucko, so I used a 10" mylar and cellulose wadding. Ahoy! I flew twice on B6-4s and twice on C5-3s. Well, blow me down! All flights were very good lookin' and flawless. Begad!

T' motor retainer is another part o' t' exceptional design. Well, blow me down! A twist-in rin' has tabs that fit into two slots. Begad! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! You twist it 90 degrees t' lock it. Ahoy! To change motors you twist, arrr, me bucko, pull t' motor, put in another, and put t' rin' back in. We're talkin' 15 seconds here and positive motor retention without masking tape.

Recovery:
T' plastic fins stand up well t' landings. Arrr! T' shock cord is long enough that "Estes dents" are unlikely. Arrr! I've detected no ejection burnin' or other damage after 4 flights.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Clearly, shiver me timbers, if as a builder o' larger and more complex models I had been getting jaded, me hearties, shiver me timbers, this model cured me. Aye aye! I remain very impressed with t' thought that went into t' design o' this little bird and still it comes out for less than $10. Begad! Blimey! I like its looks and enjoy flyin' it, even when those around me are flying MPR/HPR.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5