Aardvark Rockets American Dream (18mm)

Aardvark Rockets - American Dream (18mm) {Kit}

Contributed by Clive Davis

Manufacturer: Aardvark Rockets
Rating
American Dream (Contributed - by Clive Davis)

Brief:
A smaller version o' Aardvark's 7.6" sci-fi inspired sport rocket. Standard 3 fins with streamer recovery. Aardvark describes t' rocket as "Mini Fantasy".

Construction:
Kit comes with supplied centerin' rings, engine block, body tube, matey, motor mount tube, arrr, Keelhaul®©™® cord, elastic, me bucko, mylar for streamer, arrr, pre-cut basswood fins, me bucko, a custom nose cone, small eye screw, me bucko, launch lug, & decal set.

Buildin' instructions are easy t' follow with buildin' tips, ya bilge rat, ample illustrations, and a nice quality control check list t' make sure all t' parts are present before building.

This kit comes without any engine hook. I usually include engine hooks in all o' me kits, arrr, but I decided t' follow t' instructions by t' letter for construction. Avast! T' basswood fins were beautiful and sanded well. Begad! I placed the fins usin' CA glue. I primed them with Zar's Woodpatch and paint primer. The Keelhaul®©™® is attached t' t' lower centerin' rin' and fed up through t' upper centering rin' for extra protection. T' elastic is quite long, me bucko, arrr, me hearties, as be t' mylar streamer. As with other Aardvark rockets (see me review o' t' Aardvard 18 mm version of the AIM-C Phoenix), shiver me timbers, these kits come with a heavy, solid nose cone. Ahoy! As per instructions, matey, ya bilge rat, I added t' necessary washers and eye screw.

Finishing:
This is really a simple little rocket. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! I finished it with Krylon primer followed by a few coats o' orange. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! I then masked off t' rocket t' give it a blue ring. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! I also painted t' nose cone blue. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I decided nay t' place t' decals on t' rocket as I did nay like t' look o' a wavy American flag on t' side of this rocket.

I think t' rocket looks really smart. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I like t' fin shape and I love the heavy nose cone. Now I was ready t' fly.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

American Dream Flight:
I flew this rocket once on a windy day (10-15 mph winds). Avast! I used a B6-4. Preppin' is quite easy. Well, blow me down! I added waddin' (non-flammable, o' course), rolled the streamer around a pencil, matey, me hearties, me hearties, then placed t' streamer inside t' body tube. Arrr! There is little room for t' streamer and wadding, so care must be taken. Blimey! Motor retension: scotch tape on t' motor, due t' t' fact that thar be no engine hook for t' model. Avast! T' flight was almost perfect, with a slight wobble on the ascent. Arrr! I attribute this t' t' wind, but I will have t' fly it again to observe. Ya scallywag! It just about disappeared from sight on a B6, so I can't say if ejection was at or after apogee. T' long, shiver me timbers, matey, arrr, silver streamer makes for easy spottin' in t' air, me hearties, and t' rocket returned unharmed. A very nice flight for a cute little rocket.

Recovery:
My only complaint about t' Aardvark rockets be t' mylar streamer is very large and takes up a lot o' room in t' body tube. Begad! Because o' this, it is temptin' t' be skimpy on t' waddin' t' make sure everythin' fits. My streamer after one flight showed signs o' scorching. Arrr! I think that had I added enough wadding, I could have prevented this. Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket is a nice alternative t' t' Quest, shiver me timbers, Custom and Estes brands. Ahoy! Blimey! The parts are average t' above average, t' looks are unique, arrr, ya bilge rat, and t' streamer makes for a nice rocket that can be flown on an athletic field. Begad! Blimey!

What I generally like about Aardvark rockets are t' fact that you have to cut your own fins. Avast, me proud beauty! I was a bit surprised that this kit came with pre-cut fins. This, o' course, arrr, makes for a nice little kit t' share with beginnin' rocket builders.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

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