Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! 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. Decals for both are included. Well, blow me down! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, me hearties, centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, retention hook, shiver me timbers, launch lug, shock cord, nose cone, matey, die-cut paper scoop, die-cut fin sheet, ya bilge rat, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, me hearties, shiver me timbers, I was ready t' began construction.

T' instructions came complete with illustrations and text. Aye aye! Avast! Also included were t' fin alignment template and t' shock cord mount. 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.

I started with t' motor mount. Ahoy! This was very easy t' assemble. Avast! Blimey! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, shiver me timbers, I glued it into t' body tube.

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. Ya scallywag! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! This is a critical alignment. Aye aye! Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each. Ahoy! Well, blow me down!

I then punched out t' die-cut scoop from its card. Avast! I attached it between fins #2 and #4. Arrr! I found this step just a tad tricky. I now attached t' two top wings four inches from t' top o' fins #2 and #4. Avast! In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Avast, me proud beauty! If done correctly, you shouldn't have any problems. Well, me bucko, blow me down! If not, 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. Blimey!

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

Finally, me bucko, 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, me hearties, arrr, Good parts fit. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty!

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

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

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

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

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Avast! Aye aye! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

For me first flight, ya bilge rat, I used an A8-3 since I was flyin' on a high school football field. Blimey! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. Arrr! I felt that it be low, matey, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Begad! Avast! For t' second flight, arrr, 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! That was a good choice. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet. Aye aye! Blimey!

PROS: Excellent flight performance.

CONS: None found.

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

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I would highly recommend this. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast! Blimey!

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Main PROS: Good price, ya bilge rat, Easy construction, Good parts fit, me hearties, Good instructions, me bucko, me bucko, Excellent flight performance. Aye aye! Fantastic appearance. Ahoy!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5