Brief:
This is a Starter Set that includes t' Stars & Stripes E2X Series rocket with streamer recovery, two B6-4 motors, igniters and wadding. Also included is a launch pad, controller, special USA decal and complete instructions for t' rocket and launch pad and controller.

Construction:
T' rocket components included a white BT-56 body tube, arrr, me bucko, red fin assemblies and retention ring, me hearties, blue nose cone, shiver me timbers, shock cord, launch lug, ya bilge rat, American Flag streamer and decals for two different decal schemes.

T' instructions included were very good, so good in fact that someone with little or no previous rocketry experience wouldn't have any problem assemblin' this kit. Begad! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! This is a very easy rocket t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! I built mine in about an hour and a half. Begad! T' only materials needed were tube type plastic cement, shiver me timbers, matey, matey, white glue, scotch tape and a hobby knife. T' parts fit for this rocket couldn't have been better. Ya scallywag! Everythin' went together very nicely and easily with absolutely no modifications. PROS: Easy and quick construction. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! CONS: None

Finishing:
I don't know if I would use t' term "Finishing" with this kit due t' t' precolored components. Ahoy! I finished t' model by trimmin' t' flashin' from t' nose cone. Avast! Blimey! I then attached t' streamer t' t' shock cord with scotch tape as recommended by t' instructions. Arrr! I really don't like this method o' attachment as t' tape wants t' peel away from t' streamer. Arrr! Well, blow me down! I then attached t' decals for t' scheme that I picked. Arrr! T' result was a sharp lookin' patriotic rocket commemratin' t' 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on our country. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Way t' go Estes. PROS: No paintin' required CONS: Method o' streamer attachment

Construction Rating: 5

Flight:
T' recommend motors are t' A8-3, B4-4, matey, arrr, matey, B6-4, arrr, C6-5, C6-7. Avast, me proud beauty! This rocket does require t' use o' recovery waddin' t' protect t' streamer and since t' streamer is paper, me bucko, ya bilge rat, me hearties, you should use more waddin' than required t' prevent scorching. Ahoy! T' retainin' rin' holds t' motor in place durin' flight and is adequate. Well, blow me down! I have only flown this rocket once so far. Ya scallywag! Another problem with t' streamer is that it is somewhat challengin' t' pack as it wants t' unravel. Avast! I wind it up as tightly as possible and then wrap t' shock cord around it. Begad! Avast! I used one o' t' B6-4's provided for me flight. T' rocket flew straight and true with a slow rotation t' about 450-500 feet. Avast! Nay bad for a B motor. Aye aye! I can't imagine what a C will do. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! PROS: Nice flyer. Ya scallywag! Avast! CONS: Streamer is a little tough t' pack properly.

Recovery:
With t' provided streamer, this rocket comes down FAST!!! Fast enough t' pose a potential recovery hazard. Ahoy! I thought about catchin' it, shiver me timbers, but when I saw it fallin' like a homesick rock, I immediately backed off. Luckily t' rocket landed in some tall grass and thar was no damage. Whoa. Begad! Blimey! I would highly recommend a 9 or 10 inch parachute t' slow t' descent. Avast, me proud beauty! PROS: None CONS: Very fast descent on stock streamer.

Flight Rating: 4

Summary:
Priced at about $19.99, I feel that this set is a real value for someone just gettin' into t' hobby. However, shiver me timbers, I received mine as a Christmas gift from me girlfriend. I do however, highly recommend replacin' t' streamer with a small parachute t' eliminate a potential recovery hazard. Main PROS: Great value for a newcomer. Ya scallywag! Well, matey, blow me down! Main CONS: Streamer and method o' streamer attachment.

Overall Rating: 5