Brief:
T' TriStar is a single stage rocket with a futuristic passenger rocket design usin' parachute recovery. Aye aye! I built this rocket for me nephew t' fly at a recent family launch, ya bilge rat, but me nephew crushed it before it got t' chance t' see it's first flight. Well, blow me down! I repaired it as well as I could, me hearties, didn't care for t' results, and set it aside for two months. Ahoy! I found it sittin' lookin' dejected today and decided t' put it up. Ya scallywag! Judgin' from t' flight performance, I'm glad I did.

Construction:
TriStar buildin' components include a length o' BT-50 equivalent body tube, a plastic nose cone, matey, an 18mm engine mount and a 12" parachute. Fin stock is o' average quality. Well, blow me down! Custom has unfortunately seen fit t' go t' Estes route with t' shock cord. Begad! Well, blow me down! Cheap elastic and nay much o' it.

This would be a great first rocket for a beginner. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions were clear and easy t' follow. Ahoy! Ahoy! T' die cut fins needed a little sanding, but that's t' be expected. Aye aye! Avast! T' only thin' that remotely resembles a "gotcha" be t' fit o' t' nose cone. Well, matey, blow me down! It be a little loose in me kit, ya bilge rat, but a little bit o' maskin' tape corrected this problem.

Finishing:
Once construction was finished, me bucko, I used three coats o' thinned Elmer's Fill'n'Finish as a sandin' sealer, me bucko, sandin' betwixt each coat. I then primed t' rocket with Krylon Primer, sanded it once more and then put on a coat o' Krylon Gloss White. Aye aye! This is as far as I got in t' finishin' because me nephew killed it before I could get t' blue paint and decals on. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' decals are water slide, matey, a nice surprise considerin' that Estes seems t' have gone t' "sticker" type decals almost exclusively. Ahoy! I can't say for sure, but it might wind up bein' a bit o' a problem matchin' t' blue in t' decal with blue paint. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! If anyone has built one and figured out a match, me hearties, shiver me timbers, I'd appreciate a heads up.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Two months after what appeared t' be it's tragic demise, me hearties, I finally flew t' TriStar. Turns out it was well worth t' wait. Ya scallywag! I used three sheets o' Estes wadding, just because I have a box full and wanted t' get rid o' some. I used an Estes A8-3 as recommended and was rewarded with a straight, me bucko, fairly high flight for a comparatively low powered engine. I agree with t' other reviewer. Avast! A's and B's will put this one up t' more than respectable heights. Avast! Ya scallywag! If you want t' go with C's, have some friends with strong vision and t' will t' walk, arrr, because this rocket will go places.

Recovery:
Slight problem here. T' parachute is on par with Estes quality-wise (makin' it light years ahead o' t' more expensive Quest products) and looks great t' boot. Avast! Blimey! T' only problem was with t' shock cord. Aye aye! Too short and o' marginal quality. Because I stuck with t' stock cord t' rocket received a Custom Dent upon ejection. Well, blow me down! Replace t' shock cord with one at least twice as long or more and you should be in business.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Pro's: Great styling, arrr, shiver me timbers, flight performance and price make this one a must for beginners. Con's: Shock cord too short. Avast! Nose cone a little loose. Aye aye! These are both very minor concerns and easily corrected.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5