Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Aye aye! Ahoy! It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). Arrr! Begad! It flies on A-C motors and uses a parachute for recovery.

Construction:
T' kit came in a plastic bag with a front panel showin' t' finished rocket with two possible trim schemes. Begad! Decals for both are included. Blimey! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, shiver me timbers, centerin' rings, retention hook, matey, launch lug, shock cord, nose cone, ya bilge rat, arrr, die-cut paper scoop, die-cut fin sheet, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Arrr! After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, I was ready t' began construction.

T' instructions came complete with illustrations and text. Ya scallywag! Also included were t' fin alignment template and t' shock cord mount. Ya scallywag! This is a skill level 2 kit, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, I began construction. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

I started with t' motor mount. Begad! Blimey! This was very easy t' assemble. Aye aye! Blimey! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, I glued it into t' body tube. Aye aye! Blimey!

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. Arrr! I next carefully cut out t' fins. You should have four small fins for t' lower portion and two top wings for t' top portion. I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. Begad! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Avast! Begad! This is a critical alignment. Begad! Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

I then punched out t' die-cut scoop from its card. Ya scallywag! Begad! I attached it between fins #2 and #4. Arrr! I found this step just a tad tricky. Aye aye! I now attached t' two top wings four inches from t' top o' fins #2 and #4. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Arrr! Ya scallywag! If done correctly, you shouldn't have any problems. Ahoy! Arrr! If not, you will most likely experience some spiraling. Begad! Aye aye! After t' glue dried, arrr, I applied glue t' those and t' t' exterior o' t' scoop for more strength.

Next I attached t' launch lug. Arrr! Ahoy! I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. I be pleased when I found that t' shock cord be longer than normally found. Blimey! Ahoy! Thanks, Estes. Ya scallywag! Arrr!

Finally, I trimmed t' nose cone and sanded it t' remove t' moldin' lines. T' instructions called for t' parachute t' be attached at this time but I always install me chutes after t' rocket is finished.

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, Good parts fit. Blimey! Blimey!

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets. Begad!

Finishing:
I started t' finishin' by sprayin' t' model with white automotive primer and sandin' betwixt coats. Ahoy! I chose t' white sharks mouth scheme. Begad! I sprayed the model with gloss white spray enamel. Ya scallywag! Since no stripin' material is included, the instructions reccommend stripin' tape. Instead, ya bilge rat, I used Top Flite Monokote red and black trim sheets along with t' supplied decals. Aye aye! Man, I love that sinister sharks mouth. Begad!

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. Aye aye! I decided t' use a 12 inch chute that I stole from one o' me X-Flyers rather than t' 18 inch one. Avast! Ahoy! I felt that it was too big for this light o' a rocket. Ahoy!

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, ya bilge rat, matey, Fantastic finished appearance. Begad! Begad!

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Begad! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Reccommended motors are t' A8-3, me hearties, B4-4 (first flight(, me hearties, ya bilge rat, B6-4, ya bilge rat, matey, C6-5. Begad! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. Blimey! Arrr! The chute is packed in t' normal manner. Arrr! Aye aye!

For me first flight, I used an A8-3 since I was flyin' on a high school football field. Begad! Ahoy! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. Well, me bucko, blow me down! I felt that it was low, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Begad! Ya scallywag! For t' second flight, shiver me timbers, me hearties, me bucko insisted that I try some o' his cellouse waddin' istead o' t' Estes waddin' that I normally used. Well, blow me down! I also loaded up a B6-4. Avast! That was a good choice. Ahoy! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet.

PROS: Excellent flight performance.

CONS: None found.

Recovery:
I used a 12 inch chute, so both recoveries were recovered very close t' the pad. Aye aye! I felt that t' provided chute be just a tad too big. Ahoy! It may be fine if you have a lot o' space and/or love t' run a long distance. On t' second flight, me bucko, matey, t' waddin' worked perfectly. Avast! Thanks, shiver me timbers, Dan. Blimey! Ahoy!

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. I would highly recommend this.

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Priced at $10.99, matey, I felt that this kit be a good buy. It was also fun t' build and fly. Begad! I feel that Estes did a really good job on this kit. I also feel that they should keep it in production for a long time. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I very highly recommend this kit.

Main PROS: Good price, Easy construction, matey, Good parts fit, Good instructions, Excellent flight performance. Fantastic appearance. Aye aye!

Main CONS: Should have a 12 inch chute instead o' an 18 inch one.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5