Brief
This is a scale model o' t' swedish air t' air missile, me hearties, t' SAAB 372. Like other air t' air missiles, it has two sets o' four fins with t' forward four bein' larger and forward swept. Yet, matey, t' model is flown single staged. It flies on Aerotech 24mm reloadable F24's and Estes D12's and recovers with a bright blue mylar chute.

Construction
T' kit be packaged in a large clear bag with all t' parts thar and none damaged despite havin' been mailed t' me. T' parts were packed with economy o' space in mind, as parts were inside o' parts. Avast, me proud beauty! Initially, shiver me timbers, it seemed t' be a dauntin' project, matey, matey, as thar are many parts and t' balsa wood for t' fins is uncut. Ahoy! But for those who like a challenge, arrr, this is fun.

T' instructions are illustrated and are three double sided pages o' pretty clear stuff, ya bilge rat, arrr, but I recommend that you read it before startin' so you can account for all t' parts and visualize what goes where. Blimey! This is comin' from a high power modeler who has built many kits with precut hardwood fins, preslotted tubes, and lots o' epoxy.

Well, here, t' manufacturer does nay recommend epoxy. He did nay say why, but referred t' it as a heavy glue. Begad! I have successfully used it t' strengthen balsa fins, me bucko, ya bilge rat, me hearties, but went by his recommendation o' CA instead, me bucko, me hearties, t' see how t' kit works as instructed.

There are templates for t' fins and for t' tail. Begad! I would have been better pleased with balsa for t' tail rather than a cone o' paper, but maybe weight was t' be minimized in t' model. I kept wantin' t' strengthen this tail even more than by t' glue recommended, shiver me timbers, me hearties, though.

T' only real gotchas I can see would be t' align t' grain o' t' balsa with t' fin leadin' edge t' maximize strength. Well, blow me down! Also, t' front wing-fins are mounted atop wooden standoffs, an interestin' design. Avast, me proud beauty! T' chute needs t' be assembled, but came precut. Arrr! All I needed t' do be attach t' shroud lines via paper reinforcements and attach t' swivel. Well, blow me down! T' body tube is spiral wound paper and t' nose cone is lightweight hollow plastic. Blimey! Ya scallywag! T' chute is thin metallic mylar. Avast! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' centerin' rings are extra thick cardboard. An extra centerin' rin' is supplied t' separate out a parachute compartment, ya bilge rat, but this is nay intended t' take t' place o' wadding. Ya scallywag! T' finished model is light but surprisingly sturdy. Begad! I can pick it up by a fin and nay harm it.

Finishing
T' model be spray painted with white gloss acrylic paint and a clear gloss protection be applied over this t' smoothen it and make it shiny. Begad! Blimey! No decals were provided, so I got letters from t' local hobby store and red/orange self adhesive craft paper t' apply t' name and t' red stripe shown in t' picture provided. Ahoy! T' model looks sharp. Ahoy! It's also unlike most o' me fleet, me hearties, bein' a scale model.

Construction Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5

Flight
A single D12 or an F24 is recommended, with a delay o' 7. So far I test flew it with D12's. Ahoy! Begad! It be a windy day, so I elected t' wait later on t' F24. T' model is easy t' prep, shiver me timbers, as t' parachute compartment rin' holds t' waddin' up and helps protect t' chute. Use extra wadding, me hearties, shiver me timbers, because mylar melts easily. T' motor is retained both aft and forward by a hook. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It flew straight, me bucko, matey, shiver me timbers, but lateraled slightly due t' t' wind, but it was pretty nonetheless.

Recovery
Recovery was about right and nothin' broke or burned. Begad! I'm glad I strengthened t' fins because their large size lends them t' easy breakage. T' chute be easy t' assemble. Ya scallywag! I installed t' shock cord mount as instructed, with a folded paper mount inside t' body tube, but me inclination would be t' install it on t' centerin' rin' in t' parachute compartment. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Another habit from high power.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary
A challenge, me hearties, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, but worth it because it looks nice. Ya scallywag! Begad! Be patient and don't rush. It flew well despite windy conditions and t' chute opened nicely. Well, blow me down! Do reinforce t' fins as recommended. Well, blow me down! And do use wadding. This inspired me t' make larger scale models. Give this a try.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

* Please see this SPECIAL NOTE posted by Chuck Barndt, President o' T' Launch Pad, on RMR