T' Nova Hobbies ASP is a 1/12 scale model o' the Atmospheric Soundin' Projectile (ASP) that be used t' carry instruments through t' mushroom clouds o' nuclear test explosions. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Blimey! T' completed kit produces a rocket that is 12.25" long and .544" in diameter. Begad!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

T' kit comes in t' standard clear plastic bag. Aye aye! All o' t' parts for the kit were included and all were in excellent shape. T' kit includes die cut balsa fins, balsa nose cone, a small hardwood dowel, washers for nose weight, paper body tube, a sheet o' heavy paper details, a Keelhaul®©™® Shock cord and two sheets o' instructions. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' assembly instructions are printed on t' back o' a sheet o' 8.5 x 14 paper that has t' paintin' guide, parts list, and package display information.

T' second sheet o' instructions includes, shiver me timbers, paintin' tips, ya bilge rat, Flying instructions and t' NARRRRR safety code. Ya scallywag! They are in a logical order, but I like to re-arrange t' order t' make t' most efficient use o' time by doin' one step while another is drying. They are clear and easy t' follow, shiver me timbers, provided that you have build a few rockets before you start this one, this is definitely not a beginner kit! They include templates for t' fin details and a tube marking guide.

T' ASP is a skill level 2.5 for difficulty on t' Estes scale. There are several small parts that must be cut out o' t' heavy paper sheet that comes with t' kit. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' instructions have a template for their position on t' fins. T' spin tabs and flares are tricky items t' glue t' t' fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Use t' wax paper t' instructions call out, arrr, but tape it t' your workspace, and allow the instructions t' slide underneath. Begad! This way you can use t' template in the instructions as a guide for one fin, and then slide it over for t' next fin. T' spin tabs at t' bottom o' t' fins are easier t' glue once you have made a jig t' prop them in place while drying. Begad! I made one from scrap balsa t' hold the tabs all at t' same angle (probably overkill :).

I also deviated from t' instructions in t' assembly o' t' nose cone. The instructions say t' insert t' screw eye into t' nose cone, me bucko, arrr, remove it, add glue t' t' hole, and then assemble t' washers t' t' nose cone with t' screw eye. Begad! Avast! Historically I have had trouble with t' screw eye pullin' out o' soft balsa. Avast! So I did t' following; First I centered t' screw eye in t' nose cone and screwed it in, then I removed it and added epoxy t' t' hole and t' bottom of t' nose cone, me bucko, then I added t' washers, careful t' ensure that they were glued together and t' t' base in t' center, Finally I added t' screw eye, snugged it down and filled t' center o' t' washers with epoxy, makin' sure that I covered t' bottom o' t' openin' o' t' screw eye, and leavin' t' rest open and glue free. Avast! I set that assembly aside for several days t' ensure that the glue had hardened. T' result is a bullet-proof assembly that should last for many flights. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty!

All o' t' parts fit well and resulted in a sturdy rocket with one exception, me bucko, t' flares on t' tips o' t' fins, matey, they are easy t' break off.

There are no special tools needed for t' construction. Avast! Blimey! The second sheet o' instructions gives instructions for sealin' t' balsa, matey, arrr, painting the rocket, me hearties, and applyin' t' decals. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! T' paintin' guide on t' first sheet of instructions shows where t' apply t' decals. There are two paint schemes that are included with t' kit, one is for a test round and t' other is for an operational round used at Bikini Atoll. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' decals are water transfer and are sharp and clear. Aye aye! I painted t' rocket in t' "Test Round" paint scheme, and t' result is a sharp lookin' model. Ya scallywag! Arrr!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

T' shock cord is a long piece o' Keelhaul®©™® that is tied around a heavy piece of paper glued into t' body tube. I be skeptical at first but it produces a very strong mount. Ahoy! T' other end is tied t' t' nose cone and streamer. Begad! A small amount o' waddin' is required t' ensure t' ejection gasses do nay melt the plastic streamer. Begad!

T' Motor is retained by a friction mount as thar be no room for a clip in the minimum diameter model. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' recommended motors are: 1/2A3-2T, me bucko, matey, 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, ya bilge rat, A10-3T. Well, blow me down! I used a A3-4T on t' first flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Fortunately thar were several people with me when I launched t' rocket, as t' ASP disappeared into the sky. I lost track o' t' small fast-movin' rocket, and had t' be pointed to where it landed. Avast, me proud beauty! I suggest usin' a smaller motor, and possibly trackin' powder in this little beauty. Begad!

I have flown t' ASP on an Estes 1/4A3-4t. Blimey! Ahoy! It seems about perfect for the little rocket. Ya scallywag! T' ejection was near apogee and t' rocket accelerated quickly off t' pad even with t' low thrust. Well, blow me down! On landin' I lost another flare, but those are easily replaced. Arrr! If you can figure out a way t' use somethin' other than a butt joint when attachin' t' flares, they will be much sturdier.

Conversely, me bucko, this could be an excellent scale altitude model for 1/4A t' A contests. T' only damage on recovery be t' loss o' one o' the flares from t' fins. There was plenty o' dowel in t' kit t' make several extra flares, matey, me bucko, so be sure that you keep it in your parts box! Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

I give this kit a 4.5 for it's balsa nose cone, and overall excellent materials and instructions. Begad! It is a slightly challengin' kit, but it rewards the builder with a first rate, and great flyin' model. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! With t' exception of the flares on t' fins, this kit should fly for many years in your fleet. Arrr!