Brief:
Very popular early D motor powered rocket that's a simple 3FNC design and packs a huge punch at liftoff.

Construction:
This kit be made with t' currently available CC Express from Estes. Begad! T' parts needed from t' CC are:

• 1 BT-55 body tube 18.25"
• 1 NC55 nose cone
• 1 D motor mount
• launch lug
• 12" parachute
• shock cord

You will also need t' buy:

• Decals from Tango Papa or Excelsior Rocketry
• 1/8" balsa wood stock

T' rocket construction is very easy. Well, blow me down! First build your motor mount and slide it in t' butt o' t' body tube without glue t' check t' fit. Then glue it in when your fit is good enough. Blimey! Next you cut out t' 3 fins and sand t' edges round. Ahoy! Glue those on. Ya scallywag! (I used CA.) Now take t' launch lug and cut it in half. Begad! Arrr! Glue one half t' t' top o' t' body tube and t' other t' t' bottom. Finally, attach t' shock cord t' t' nose, t' parachute t' t' shock cord, and glue t' shock cord in. Estes says you should use an 18" parachute. IMO, arrr, if you use t' 18" you'd better kiss t' Cherokee goodbye. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Use t' 12" that came with t' CC Express.

Finishing:
Spray paint t' body tube and fins gloss white. Begad! Begad! Then spray t' nose cone gloss red. Arrr! Last, place t' decals on and clear coat them. When finished, matey, me bucko, it looks great!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
My Cherokee has flown twice with impressive performance. Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' recommended motors for t' Cherokee D are D12-5 and D12-7. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! But for t' first flight, shiver me timbers, I recommend a C11-5. Ya scallywag! Avast! This is definitely nay a rocket for small fields! I loaded a C11-5 at t' NIRA Event on 4/17/05. Aye aye! I had a bunch o' people tellin' me that they had one when they were a kid and I think they really liked this one. Avast! It uses about 5 sheets o' wadding. Ahoy! Because t' CC Express does nay come with an engine hook, me hearties, ya bilge rat, I used friction fit for motor retention. Avast! Begad! It's a tight squeeze anyway.

Flight one screamed off t' pad even on a C11-5! It landed rather far away but I got it back. Ahoy! Begad! Good thin' I angled t' pad a little!

On flight two it had t' same performance as t' first. I love t' way it flies but I'm afraid t' fly it on a D12!

Recovery:
Estes says t' use an 18" chute, ya bilge rat, arrr, but like I said, shiver me timbers, me bucko, you'd better kiss it before you launch it with that big chute. Ya scallywag! T' 12" works perfectly. Begad! It landed in some tall grass and I had a pretty long walk t' get it back.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a very cool rocket. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I'd recommend tryin' t' clone it.

PROs: Very impressive flier. Looks great.

CONs: Watch your field size!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5