Brief:
This is an easy t' build Estes Rocket (E2X Series) sold as part o' t' "Launchables" Starter Set (1452). Avast, me proud beauty! It requires no paint and no fin alignment and is an easy first build. Blimey! Aye aye! T' starter set includes a Porta Pad II, Electron Beam Controller, Two Engines (A8-3 and B4-4), t' Astron Outlaw, and t' Black Diamond, which is a level 1 kit that the buyer can build after they have learned t' basics with t' Outlaw.

Construction:
Parts list:

• 1 Body Tube
• 1 Launch Lug (preinstalled on body tube)
• 1 Shock Cord (preinstalled on body tube)
• 1 Nose Cone (chrome colored) (PNC-56A)
• 1 12" Parachute (preassembled
• 2 Fin Halves
• 1 Engine Lock Ring
• 1 Decal Sheet

T' instructions are simple enough for even a first time builder t' follow along with. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' supplies needed are limited: a modelin' knife, me bucko, matey, glue, ya bilge rat, me hearties, maskin' tape, me bucko, and sandpaper. Ahoy! T' assembly flowed without problems whatsoever. Arrr! T' fin halves are glued together (formin' t' engine mount when glued together) and t' engine lock cap secures t' engine in place. T' fin/motor mount assembly fit flawlessly into t' body tube as did t' nose cone. Ahoy! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! There were no alignment issues and once t' rocket was glued (use plastic cement for this), it was very sturdy. Avast! No complaints in terms o' the construction.

Finishing:
There is really no finishin' required for this rocket. Begad! T' body tube comes colored, and both t' nose cone and the two fin halves are decorated with chrome. Aye aye! T' appearance o' t' rocket is better than most E2X or Ready-To-Fly builds but still leaves somethin' t' be desired in that it looks somewhat more like a toy than a model. Ahoy! Still, it is a great rocket for a first build and t' finished product is fairly impressive.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors are: A8-3, B4-4, B6-4, shiver me timbers, C6-5.

Preparation: Estes stated that 4-5 sheets o' waddin' should be used. Avast, me proud beauty! I would recommend 5-6 sheets as me parachute got burned on t' second flight. Well, blow me down! Spike and fold t' parachute, roll it, me bucko, wrap t' shroud lines around it, and insert it into t' body tube. Arrr! Replace t' nose cone. Insert t' engine into t' fin/engine mount unit. Ahoy! Arrr! Place t' engine locking cap over t' engine, shiver me timbers, and twist securely until it is fully locked.

1st flight: I launched first with t' lowest power engine (A8-3) in order t' test t' stability o' t' rocket. T' rocket launched off t' pad straight, but t' flight was slow and uninspiring. Avast, me proud beauty! T' flight was nay straight due to heavy wind conditions. Avast, me proud beauty! T' A8-3 is nay in me opinion sufficient t' launch this rocket. Ya scallywag! T' combination o' heavy wind and low power o' t' A8-3 meant that ejection occurred after apogee, me hearties, resultin' in a somewhat parabolic flight. Ya scallywag! Arrr! The parachute worked well, however, arrr, t' rocket returned safely t' t' ground without problems. Aye aye! I would recommend usin' a snap swivel (found at any store that has fishin' equipment) t' attach t' chute t' t' shock cord as it twists heavily durin' flight.

2nd flight: Certain that t' rocket was safe t' fly on stronger engines, I used a C6-5 for t' next flight. The rocket be much more impressive used on this motor. Avast, me proud beauty! It flew very straight and t' a respectable altitude, arrr, but the rocket's size kept it in sight so that I wouldn't lose it. Avast! T' parachute ejected a little before apogee and carried the rocket fairly far away due t' slight wind. Begad! T' chute got a little burned and did nay unfold as well as it should have, but it still landed with only a small dent in t' body tube. Blimey! Once recovered, shiver me timbers, I unfolded t' chute where it got burned and it is as good as new so use a little extra waddin' if you are worried.

Recovery:
T' shock cord is attached t' t' body tube from t' factory and requires no assembly. Ya scallywag! Begad! It appears t' mount on the inside o' t' launch lug. T' cord is a little too short. T' parachute twists heavily on descent. Arrr! I recommend remedyin' this by usin' a snap swivel for fishin' line t' allow it t' twist without tanglin' t' shroud lines. Aye aye! I also may try replacin' t' 12" chute with somethin' smaller if I can find it or even chokin' up on t' shroud lines so that it isn't so large when it unfolds. Well, blow me down! A streamer might even be acceptable as me Astron Outlaw landed on a paved pathway durin' a launch t' other day after t' chute got tangled and didn't suffer any damage. Avast! T' reason behind alterin' t' 12" chute is that it is just too big for t' rocket and carries it far away after ejection.

As far as t' damage from burning, shiver me timbers, I only experienced a minor burn on t' 2nd flight which caused t' chute to stick t' itself and nay unfold properly. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I have since used at least 5 sheets o' waddin' in all me launches and have had no problems with burned chutes.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Launchables starter set was a great way for me t' get back into t' hobby. Begad! I had been out o' it for many years and needed all t' basics t' start over since much o' me old rocket stuff had been broken. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! I would recommend it to anyone who needs a new launch pad like I did, matey, ya bilge rat, arrr, since you get so much extra stuff with it, and it is actually cheaper than buyin' a launch controller and launch pad together. Ya scallywag! This would also be a great gift t' introduce someone t' the hobby since it includes an E2X (easy t' build) rocket as well as a slightly more intricate skill level 1 rocket that requires fin alignment and painting.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5