Brief:
This rocket from Estes is a "Simple Snap Together" kit that can be smartly assembled and flown. Ya scallywag! It is a single stage, streamer recovery rocket.

Construction:
There are few pieces t' this rocket. Avast! There are two body tube halves, one motor tube, four fins, nose cone, me bucko, matey, me hearties, shock cord, motor retainer and streamer.

I purchased this rocket one Saturday mornin' t' cure boredom. I be lookin' for a small, me hearties, shiver me timbers, low altitude rocket that would accommodate t' small fields I have available for launching. This rocket be very simple t' assemble. T' nose cone, body tube halves, fins, matey, and motor retainer were all made o' purple plastic. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' two body tube halves snap together around t' motor tube. Fins fit either betwixt t' two body tube halves or in slots. Blimey! T' nose cone is also two halves which snap together. Begad! Begad! There are 3 pre-cut holes in t' motor tube. Blimey! One is for t' shock cord and t' other two are for lugs that protrude from t' two body tube halves into t' motor tube that act as t' motor stop. Avast! After rocket construction, t' application o' a peel and stick decal is all that is required t' finish.

Note that though this kits claims t' require no glue for assembly, me hearties, me bucko, it will be necessary t' glue some things.

Finishing:
This rocket kit has some problems and they will need t' be addressed t' keep this rocket flyable.

Construction Rating: 2 out o' 5

Flight:
After assemblin' this rocket I headed out for launch. Begad! Blimey! Rocket preparation was simple with t' twist lock motor retainer. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' first flight was powered by an Estes 1/2A3-2T. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rocket flew straight up and when t' ejection charge fired, it burned t' streamer together in places. That shortened t' streamer. Avast! Blimey! T' rocket landed without damage. Arrr! Blimey! T' second flight was with t' same motor, producin' another straight flight that again returned t' rocket undamaged. Arrr! Blimey! Note that I had a problem at this point with t' nose cone. Avast! Blimey! T' two halves tended t' come apart. Aye aye! Blimey! This isn't a problem for recovery as t' shock cord is tied t' both halves. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Some CA should cure this problem. Ahoy! Blimey! T' third flight was powered by an Estes A10-3T.

This flight didn't seem much higher than t' previous two on smaller motors. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! T' flight was straight, but at ejection t' shock cord separated and t' body lawn darted. Ya scallywag! T' body wasn't damaged and t' nose cone and streamer landed ok.

Recovery:
While CA should be used on t' nose cone, it should nay be used on t' two body tube halves. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! They WILL need t' be separated in t' event o' shock cord failure t' allow another t' be attached. Aye aye! Blimey! Note that close inspection o' t' two motor stop lugs should reveal that they will crack. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Mine revealed these cracks which didn't result in total separation o' t' lug. I used CA t' reset them. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Some CA fillets might cure this.

Flight Rating: 1 out o' 5

Summary:
While this rocket did provide a diversion for me boredom, me bucko, it really didn't do much t' wow me. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Maybe I expect too much. Ahoy! Blimey! Problems with part separation, motor stop lugs, me hearties, and t' shock cord ended it's flight after 3 launches. Ahoy! I be glad I carried another rocket with me t' finish t' day with.

Overall Rating: 2 out o' 5