Brief:
Tube Rocket, me hearties, with transition

Construction:
I received t' package, and t' kit was well packaged. Ya scallywag! It included 2 main body tubes, ya bilge rat, a 3.1”x 34” long tube, and a 2.14” x 12” body tube, as well as nose cone, transition, arrr, motor mount parts. Begad! It also comes with (6) 3.1” Tube couplers, which are used for t' fins. Ya scallywag! Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! They are pretty durable. As well as (2) ½” diameter launch lugs. Begad! T' only common thin' is the assembly o' t' Motor mount, me bucko, me hearties, and t' shock cord anchor system. Avast! Begad! Blimey! I did not receive any instructions, but I had some idea as t' how t' build it. Aye aye! Blimey! I constructed t' entire motor mount assembly usin' 5-minute epoxy. Avast! I requested a 29mm motor mount, which is what he sent me.

I didn't get any instructions for this kit, as it be a Beta test. Begad! But I had an idea o' how t' build it. Begad! I looked at t' basic parts. Aye aye! I got a vision o' how to build it in me head, shiver me timbers, then I got t' work. Arrr! It is relatively easy for the intermediate flyer t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! T' tube couplers are butted against each other, as well as t' airframe. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Once you get t' first coupler on, t' rest o' them are simply butted into place. Begad! I used sprin' clamps t' help clamp t' portions together, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, so that I could ensure a good bond betwixt couplers. Begad! T' only mod I made, was t' scuff some glassine off o' t' contact points, t' help t' epoxy adhere better. Avast! I used basic 5 and 15 minute epoxy. Avast, me proud beauty! Everythin' went together without a hitch. I cant really give any con's about this kit. Ya scallywag! Arrr!

Finishing:
Pros: It is rather easy t' come up with exotic ideas for paint schemes, shiver me timbers, arrr, for instance, me hearties, like I did on me rocket, shiver me timbers, arrr, you can paint every other tube coupler (fin) an alternatin' color, matey, t' give it an "exotic" touch. Avast! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! I used Rustoleum Primer and paint. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Cons: If you want t' paint t' inside o' t' couplers, me hearties, shiver me timbers, it will be extra work for you.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was in March o' 2001. I used a G64-4w, arrr, and I upped t' ejection charge a little, shiver me timbers, arrr, since it was a larger diameter. Ya scallywag! I used a simple screw and a washer for retention. Ahoy! After passin' it through RSO, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and puttin' it on t' pad, it be time t' witness t' moment o' truth. Avast, me proud beauty! It lit instantly, matey, me hearties, and whistled off the pad. Arrr! Arrr! T' ejection charge went off just as t' rocket hit apogee, and the 36" parachute opened beautifully. Aye aye! Aye aye! It drifted a little ways, but was recovered. Ya scallywag! Upon recoverin' it, matey, me bucko, shiver me timbers, it was found that one o' t' tube couplers had "caved" in. Well, blow me down! T' simplest and quickest remedy was t' "pop" it back out. Avast!

Next up, I loaded her up with a G125-5t. Avast! A pass through RSO and she be on t' pad within 5 minutes. Arrr! After t' usual countdown, t' motor lit, matey, and it practically exploded off t' pad, and up to about 750 feet. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' chute deployed, and it had a flawless recovery. Blimey! No problems with t' tubes this time. Ahoy! Begad!

I teamed up with a friend o' mine, and we loaded up an H128-M for it. Begad! After a few problems with igniters, me hearties, ya bilge rat, she took t' t' air, t' about 1200 feet. Ahoy! The chute deployed right on cue, and I had t' walk a little further, but it was an impressive flight, nonetheless. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

I flew t' rocket again about a year later, arrr, on a G64, and then an H128. Both flights were flawless. Begad!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I'd suggest this kit for t' intermediate flyer, arrr, as it requires a little patience t' build, shiver me timbers, but if built right, shiver me timbers, it will bounty you with some good flights. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! This kit always gets attention at our launches. Aye aye! It's waitin' for an Aerotech I200 :)

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5