Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Arrr! It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). 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. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Decals for both are included. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, me hearties, centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, retention hook, launch lug, shock cord, ya bilge rat, nose cone, ya bilge rat, die-cut paper scoop, die-cut fin sheet, arrr, me bucko, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Avast! 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. Begad! This is a skill level 2 kit, arrr, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, I began construction.

I started with t' motor mount. Ya scallywag! This be very easy t' assemble. Ya scallywag! Arrr! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, I glued it into t' body tube. Well, blow me down!

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

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

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

Finally, shiver me timbers, 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. Well, blow me down!

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, Good parts fit.

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets. Begad! Well, me hearties, blow me down!

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

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

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, Fantastic finished appearance.

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Begad! Well, blow me down! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Reccommended motors are t' A8-3, me hearties, shiver me timbers, B4-4 (first flight(, me bucko, ya bilge rat, B6-4, arrr, matey, C6-5. Avast, me proud beauty! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. The chute is packed in t' normal manner. Ya scallywag!

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance.

CONS: None found.

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

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

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Main PROS: Good price, me bucko, Easy construction, shiver me timbers, Good parts fit, me bucko, Good instructions, Excellent flight performance. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Fantastic appearance. Well, blow me down! Begad!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5