Brief:
This is a single_stage futuristic "aerospace fighter" with 18" parachute recovery.

Construction:
T' kit consists of:

• 33mm Estes BT-55 body tube
• 18mm Estes motor mount tube
• 2 cardstock centerin' rings
• A cardstock thrust ring
• A metal motor-retainer hook
• 2 laser-cut fin sheets t' make six fins

• 2 large wings
• 2 vertical stabilizers
• 2 ventral fins

• An injection-molded plastic nose cone
• An injection-molded plastic tailcone
• 2 plastic wingtip pods
• 2 plastic rudder-tip pods
• 18" length o' quarter-inch rubber for a shock cord
• A printed paper shock cord anchor
• A preassembled 18" plastic parachute
• 2" length o' launch lug
• Two pages o' instructions
• 2 HUGE sheets o' gorgeous waterslide decals

I had traveled t' New Mexico for Christmas with me wife's family. Ahoy! We visited t' Hobby Lobby in Clovis, and thar it was....ESTES HAD REISSUED THE INTERCEPTOR! I would have bought one right thar on t' spot, shiver me timbers, but we had t' travel home on me money. Blimey! Avast! I resisted temptation until me local Hobby Lobby got one then grabbed it. Blimey! Begad!

Estes has a real winner here. T' old K-50 Interceptor had a less-than-perfect design for t' wingtip pods and t' plastic tail attached t' a balsa nose cone. T' new one has all-plastic pods with very nice recessed panel lines and slots for t' wingtips. Ahoy! T' nose cone and tailcone look identical t' t' old one. Arrr! There is also a pair o' plastic pieces for t' two rudder fins that look like ECM antennas or something.

This kit went together very smartly and easily. Avast! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! T' big wings and upper vertical fins are made as two pieces each. I tacked everythin' together with thin CA and filleted with white glue. Begad! Blimey! T' nose cone was loose, requirin' a couple of wraps o' slick cellophane tape t' get it snug.

PROs: It's an Interceptor! T' new plastic parts. Ahoy! Laser-cut fins.
CONs: Better shock cords could be provided.

Finishing:
At me wife's suggestion, I deviated from t' "White with black tail and orange pods" color scheme. Avast, me proud beauty! After sealin' me fins with tube-type plastic cement, shiver me timbers, rubbed in with a finger, matey, I sprayed t' whole model primer gray then applied Testor's Acryl gloss blue t' t' win' pods and tailcone with a brush.

T' decals really make this kit. Well, blow me down! Avast! There are two four-color sheets, one o' them nearly as long as t' main body tube! One nice feature is that t' recommended engine list is printed as part o' one o' t' body decals and looks like part o' t' decor from a distance.

It turned out very classy and looks quite "tactical" in t' gray scheme.

PROs: Acres o' waterslide decals really add a lot.
CONs: Acres o' surface t' paint (a very minor issue).

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew me new Interceptor at me bucko Darrell's farm. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! It needed six squares o' Estes tissue waddin' and has the new-style Estes motor hook (much easier t' get t' motor in and out). Ya scallywag! My first flight was on a B6-4. Begad! Nice straight boost t' 400 feet or so (not tracking, me hearties, estimate) and a nice deployment just after apogee and a low drift t' landing. No damage at all.

Flight two was on a C6-5. Repeat o' t' first one, me bucko, except about 750 feet apogee and a bit more drift.

Flight three be also on a C6-5. Avast! Again a picture-perfect launch, apogee about 750 feet, nice recovery.

This rocket is a nice flyer for its type. Avast! A fair lot o' futuristic rockets are draggy and don't fly as well as they might. Begad! It might be good t' upgrade this one t' Estes 24mm "D" motors but then it'd be a bat out o' hell!

Recovery:
Uses t' typical Estes rubber band shock cord and plastic parachute. It would be nicer with a baffle system added (may get one for me wife t' build and put a baffle in it).

No burning, me hearties, me bucko, damage, me hearties, or serious wear so far on t' recovery harness. Another possible nice touch might be a horizontal recovery harness with a shroud line rigged so she recovers as if flying.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Again a serious winner from Estes, based on a reissue o' a grand oldie. Well, blow me down! Begad! A favorite is back, Rethinkin' well done on plastic parts, laser-cut fins, arrr, and those MARVELOUS decals!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5