Brief
T' Lunar Express Jr. is a model based on t' 1950s Sci-Fi concept o' a single stage rocket that could go t' t' moon and back. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' model is capable o' takin' a 38mm motor, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, me hearties, but has an adapter t' accommodate a 29mm motor.

Construction
T' kit has high quality like all t' PML kits and t' completed rocket is capable o' takin' a beatin' without damage. Begad! Blimey! There are some tricky steps in t' directions, where epoxy must be poured into t' model betwixt some small gaps. Avast! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Be sure t' follow t' directions carefully. Ahoy! Blimey! T' model has no motor retention system, so be aware o' this short-comin' at t' beginnin' o' t' construction.

I used t' 29mm adapter kit and made a retro-fit for t' motor retention system. Avast, me proud beauty! I drilled a 3/32 inch hole through t' body and t' adaptor tube 1/2 inch from t' end o' t' rocket with t' adapter tube in place. Arrr! I then made a bracket 2-3/8 inch long from 1/16" x 1/4" brass stock that I bought from a local hobby shop. A 3/32 inch metal drill bit be used t' drill a hole through t' brass stock about 7/16" from t' forward end. Arrr! I bent t' strip at about 2" t' form a retrainin' hook for t' motor. Begad! Aye aye! A 3/32" x 1/2" threaded bolt completes t' retention system. Ya scallywag!

Finishing:
As usual one should use disposable rubber gloves t' build t' fillets on t' fins. T' short main body tube required sandin' in order t' have a good match with t' nose cone and t' boat-tail part. I did nay use t' kit decals. Blimey! Blimey! I wanted a 1950's Sci-Fi look, so I painted t' model with Dutch Boy Instant Chrome (chrome aluminum 4101) paint. Ahoy! Blimey! This gave t' desired look, ya bilge rat, but t' finish was susceptible t' finger-prints no matter how long t' t' paint dried. Currently, I am thinkin' o' tryin' clear coat on top o' t' chrome, shiver me timbers, but this will require some experimentation t' be sure that it will work.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight
T' rocket flies straight with 6 oz. o' weight added t' t' nose.

My retention system worked well on t' maiden flight. Arrr! Blimey! I used an H180-M for t' maiden flight, ya bilge rat, but this time delay is too long. An H180-S should work better. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! As a result t' elastic came undone from t' nose cone "Kwik-Link". Blimey! Blimey! T' nose cone buried itself in dirt, shiver me timbers, but did survive t' fall. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Obviously, this is somethin' that should nay be repeated.

Recovery
T' piston ejection system works great. Be sure t' choose a time delay that is nay too long. Otherwise, too much stress may cause t' nose cone t' separate. A separate parachute for t' nose cone and body might be a good idea.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary
T' design o' t' rocket is a real eye-catcher and will appeal t' t' nostalgic Sci-Fi and fun days o' t' 1950s. A retention system is needed and separate parachutes for t' nose cone and body might be a good idea.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5