Aerotech has long been known t' high power rocketeers for their fine motors and sturdy kits, me bucko, but nay too many model rocketeers have used their products. Begad! Well, arrr, blow me down! They're a lot more expensive than t' average entry level stuff; t' Initiator start set isn't cheap (Discount Rocketry has it for a reasonable $115.95), me bucko, me hearties, nor is their Interlock Launch Controller if purchased separately (I paid $39.95 for mine, arrr, just a tad below DR's askin' price o' $45). Begad! One o' me favorite local hobby shops had both t' Cheetah and t' Mustang for sale for $34.95, matey, me bucko, arrr, and after weeks o' deliberation, I finally broke down and got t' 'stang. Aye aye! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I liked this rocket so well, I went back for t' Cheetah, shiver me timbers, but it be gone. Nay t' worry, as I write, me hearties, DR has t' Cheetah in stock for just a dollar more. 

Picture is courtesy o' Chip Jenkins

T' Good Points

I liked just about everythin' this kit showed me, me hearties, but most impressive were t' plastic fins and patented Fin-Lok system. Arrr! T' fins are pre-beveled and require absolutely no work, as did t' hefty nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! T' body tube, me bucko, while nay perfect, was much, much better than I'd ever seen in any Estes or Quest kit. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' baffle ejection system be t' only one I've ever seen that did a good job o' protectin' t' recovery system without wadding, me hearties, and t' shock cord is monstrously long. Ya scallywag! T' mount t' t' body is via a large screw eye, nay me favorite thing, but a crimpin' lug (not supplied) prevents t' cord from untying. 

This design is flexible, too, capable o' flyin' just about every size single use and RMS 24 and 29 mm motor t' Aerotech makes, me bucko, includin' their non-standard 124 mm long singles. Well, blow me down! T' motor clip is large and stiff, shiver me timbers, so careful loadin' is required t' avoid creasin' t' motor mount tube or, arrr, ya bilge rat, if used, t' included adapters, but that's a small price t' pay for such a wide range o' choices. Well, blow me down! Ingenious be t' best way t' describe it. 

T' little points impressed me, ya bilge rat, too. Ahoy! T' box can be made into a display stand, ya bilge rat, t' plastic parts don't require any trimmin' t' get rid o' flash, arrr, arrr, and t' 'chute is well sewn and rugged. 

T' Bad Points

T' only thin' I can really complain about be t' decals. Avast! Blimey! They're nay pre-cut and require careful work t' get right. Begad! Blimey! I also thought t' 14" 'chute was a bit small for an 11 oz. rocket, me hearties, me hearties, and me first flight seemed t' bear this out. 

Assembly

Construction is straight-forward, arrr, requirin' no specific adhesives or jury-rigged tools, ya bilge rat, and with concentration, ya bilge rat, you can put t' Mustang together in about an hour. T' instruction manual is very good; clear, matey, easy t' follow, me bucko, shiver me timbers, well illustrated and accurate. I didn't encounter a single problem buildin' me Mustang, and other than crimpin' t' shock cord for t' body attachment, me bucko, I didn't change a thing. 

Paintin' requires some attention, especially if you want it colored like t' box art. In general, t' rocket didn't seem t' want t' hold paint, though t' white on white doesn't look too bad when it chips. Avast! Blimey! T' nose cone is especially slippery, and you should sand it and/or wash it before painting; I did neither, arrr, and it shows. Avast! Maskin' t' tube and nose cone for t' color breaks be nerve-racking, me bucko, t' paint underneath be always threatenin' t' come off. 

For construction, I'd rate t' Mustang a 4 ½ points on t' Essence scale, darn near perfect, t' only points off bein' for difficulty in finishing. 

Flight

First flight be on a single use E30-4, and was impressive. Very little weathercockin' and very stable, she went about 900' feet up, and was quick in gettin' there. Ejection was early (the e30- is nay recommended) and recovery be very fast, matey, me bucko, with t' light winds that day, me bucko, we had no chance o' gettin' under her before she touched (well, more like 'banged') down. Begad! She landed on pavement, shiver me timbers, arrr, and jarred one o' t' fins loose, but it snapped right back into place. Arrr! Blimey! I can see why Aerotech has that Fin-Lok system patented, it's sweet! Other than that, she suffered no damage, matey, ya bilge rat, t' 'chute and shock cord were spotless. 

Second flight was supposed t' be on a single use F25-9, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, me bucko, and while she did get into t' air, it be only about 10 feet. A dual-endo CATO (the retainin' plug and nozzle blew out) was very scary, but caused absolutely no damage t' t' Mustang. Avast! Begad! This is one tough little bird. Begad! I've bought another F25 and will be tryin' again. 

Even though I've only really seen her fly once, her endurance o' t' CATO makes me rate this bird a 4 points on t' Essence scale, Above Average. 

Summary

While I'm goin' t' have t' repaint this rocket at some point, I plan on flyin' her for many years t' come, and with great success. Blimey! Aerotech has impressed me; they may be expensive, arrr, but you get what you pay for with t' Mustang. Begad! Overall, me bucko, I'd rate it a 4 ½ points on t' Essence scale, darn near perfect.