Brief:
T' face card o' this unique kit from FlisKits claims t' be "T' ultimate 13mm caffeine machine". Begad! T' Espresso is also t' 2005 National Sport Launch anniversary kit. It uses 4 ounce coffee cups for construction and is quite a bit smaller then its big brother, t' Decaffeinator, but definitely is not small on performance.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• 1 9" body tube
• 1 8" body tube
• 1 nose block
• 2 3/32" fin stock
• 2 centerin' rings
• 1 2" launch lug
• 1 1" launch lug
• 1 engine block
• 1 crepe streamer
• 1 elastic shock cord
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® shock cord
• 10 4 oz foam cups
• 1 fin pattern sheet
• 1 hints and tips sheet
• 1 set o' instructions

Construction is quite similar t' t' Decaffeinator. You start by gluin' in the engine block and then gluin' on t' fiber centerin' rings t' t' motor mount tube. Avast! Avast! T' elastic shock cord is attached under t' top rin' and the Keelhaul®©™® shock cord is attached t' t' main body tube usin' t' nose block. Begad! T' two cords are then tied together. Those cords are nay goin' anywhere! T' streamer is attached directly t' t' motor mount tube versus t' t' shock cords which deviates from other rockets I have built.

There is a template included for t' base o' t' cups so you can cut out holes in three o' t' cups t' allow insertion o' t' body tube. Arrr! I cut out the template right on t' black line, but it be too large t' fit inside t' rim of the cups. Begad! I had t' trim it twice very carefully t' get it t' fit. Ahoy! Aye aye! Once I was able t' use t' template, I traced t' center hole on three cups and cut out the hole very carefully with a sharp X-Acto knife. Ahoy! Go slowly and use a sharp knife on this step as t' foam can break quite easily.

You then glue two o' t' modified cups together by their rims usin' hot glue. Begad! Be careful t' nay allow t' tip o' t' glue cannon touch t' foam for it will melt t' cup. You have t' work pretty smartly with t' hot glue as it sets up fast. Well, blow me down! Once joined, ya bilge rat, you insert t' main body tube through t' holes in the cups and hot glue t' tube into place. Aye aye! Avast! Since I already had t' glue heated up, I proceeded t' glue t' remainin' cups together for t' upper part o' the rocket.

You then attach a fin markin' guide around t' first cup and mark where the cuts for t' fins will be. You remove t' template, me hearties, matey, connect t' lines and then carefully cut out thin strips o' t' foam t' make room for t' fins. I found it t' be difficult t' cut near t' base o' t' cup because o' t' hot glue, but I did manage t' get t' glue off. Once you have cut t' strips, you mount t' balsa fins usin' white glue. Ahoy! Aye aye! Blimey! It was easy t' align t' fins because of the slots in t' foam. Ahoy! Once t' glue has setup on t' fins, ya bilge rat, you run a bead of hot glue down t' sides o' each fin t' form a fillet and strengthen the bond.

You just need t' glue t' second cup assembly t' t' fin can and attach the launch lugs. Arrr! That is it. Begad! Total assembly took less than 1/2 hour nay counting glue dryin' time.

Finishing:
There is no finishin' needed for t' cups. Avast, me proud beauty! I did decide t' paint t' fins which I did before I mounted them since me paints would have melted t' foam.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I only had A10-3T engines which be t' maximum recommended motor. Aye aye! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! It be an incredible flight as t' Espresso really took off fast and got some altitude, although it was a somewhat wobbly boost. Due t' t' clouds, shiver me timbers, me hearties, I had trouble seein' it but heard t' ejection pop. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It came down pretty fast on t' streamer, but foam and tall grass are a good combination and thar was no damage to the rocket.

Recovery:
T' streamer is perfect for this rocket. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! It almost does nay need a streamer due to its low weight. Blimey! Begad! T' red color in t' streamer does help track this rocket when it disappears in t' sky on a really high boost.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I am a big fan o' t' Decaffeinator, but it is a big rocket that is somewhat difficult t' take t' launches. Avast! You cannot set anythin' on or near it. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! The Espresso is a perfect size and although it is fragile too, matey, it is a fun looking, easy t' build rocket that will call attention t' itself.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5