Brief:
T' AIM-9L Sidewinder by t' Launch Pad is a parachute recovered, shiver me timbers, matey, shiver me timbers, scale model missile.

Construction:
I ordered t' Plan-Pak, matey, which contains a parts list, drawings, arrr, arrr, arrr, and VERY COMPREHENSIVE instructions. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' parachute is one o' TLP's own kits, shiver me timbers, a tough blue mylar design which includes swivels. Finally, me hearties, I ordered a pack o' their nice, me hearties, matey, shiver me timbers, SIMPLE motor hooks.

T' instructions, shiver me timbers, although advanced, are very straightforward. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' makin' o' individual components is described in perfect detail, ya bilge rat, me hearties, ya bilge rat, along with suggested materials. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! You'll be cutting, me bucko, sawing, sanding, me hearties, and trimmin' A LOT with this one. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' builder even makes t' lugs, centerin' rings, arrr, and motor block. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Attention t' detail is critical, ya bilge rat, but t' project goes right along if you stick t' t' sequence. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Don't expect t' finish this overnight. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! This is an involved build, me hearties, but if you have one plan-built bird under your belt you can make this one. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS t' t' letter and do nay deviate unless you're sure o' what you're doing. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! These are very well done and sound plans.

I deviated from t' plan in two ways. Aye aye! First, ya bilge rat, t' forward (canard) fins were made o' .031" G-10 instead o' balsa. Begad! T' thinness o' this material made it very convincin' in appearance, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, plus it will nay dent or rip off (They're epoxied on.) T' aft fins have 1/8" spruce cap strips attached t' t' top and trailin' edges t' minimize landin' damage. T' trailin' edge cap strip is installed through t' wall and glued t' t' bottom centerin' rin' and t' motor mount tube. Begad! Aye aye! CHECK your balance! My bird checked out as marginally stable and didn't come in until about 1-1/4 ounce o' clay was added t' t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! Begad! This along with t' slightly heavier build brought t' weight o' t' Sidewinder up t' 10 oz, 2 oz. heavier than advertised for t' kit version. Well, blow me down! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! A demandin' yet enjoyable project.

What was t' second deviation, t' nose weight?

Finishing:
As in makin' o' t' parts and assembly, finishing/detailin' is entirely up t' t' builder. Ahoy! Color and layout info is supplied in depth. Ahoy! T' realism achievable with this plan is amazing. Avast, me proud beauty! Take your time and you can build a KILLER replica! I detailed me kit carefully but didn't go overboard. Blimey! Ahoy! Trim paintin' and letterin' were nay done in time for its maiden launches and photos.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
D12-3's and -5's are recommended for t' Sidewinder. Arrr! Its first flight at t' CMASS launch on July 7th be with a D12-3. Aye aye! Prep is standard issue except for t' addition o' a drilled bulk plate at t' top o' t' airframe t' prevent t' chute from slippin' down. Blimey! I inserted a healthy dose o' cellulose fiber insulation and prepped it normally. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' motor is well retained with TLP's basic, sturdy motor hook. Why can't everyone else make them like this? T' Sidewinder took off fairly smartly and boosted straight despite me worries about stability. Ya scallywag! It went t' about 500'. Begad! Ahoy! I do NOT recommend t' D12-5 for anythin' but dead calm days. Avast! It has since been flown with another D12-3 and with an Aerotech E25-4T & 18mm adaptor. Aye aye! T' E flight be actually quite a barn burner and t' Sidewinder grabbed some altitude fast. Blimey! After motor burnout t' fins could be heard whistlin' through t' slipstream! It was still movin' upward at ejection, shiver me timbers, with no apparent ill effects.

Recovery:
Shock cord was 1/4" sewin' elastic, 3' long, me hearties, attached by t' standard tri-fold method and Titebond. T' TLP 'chute deployed slowly but unfurled fully. T' chute spins a lot on its swivels without tangling. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Descent seems a bit quick. Well, blow me down! Avast! However, me hearties, it returned t' Sidewinder completely intact after its touchdown in t' weeds. Ya scallywag! Two subsequent flights from me home field have resulted in no damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great plan for t' advanced builder. Begad! It yields a convincing, me hearties, me bucko, ya bilge rat, good-flyin' replica. Begad! Blimey! This project is NOT for t' faint o' heart, though... expect t' be tied up for a lot o' evenings on this project. T' tail o' this rocket gets very sooty, ya bilge rat, probably due t' t' style o' engine mounting.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5