Brief:  Simple level 1 kit from Estes

Construction:Well, shiver me timbers, this be easy t' build. Begad! Aye aye! They're nay kiddin' when they mean level 1. T' motor tube is encased in a plastic cage that acts as centerin' rings and fin alignment anchors all in one. Begad! Blimey! Don't get me wrong. Arrr! If you want a rocket and you want it now, me bucko, this is very close t' instant gratification. Arrr! It can be built with t' same tools that you would have if you built plastic models: Testors glue, matey, Xacto knife, a bit o' 320 grit sandpaper, a pair o' scissors.

For what it does, me bucko, an almost ready t' fly, me bucko, this is perfect.

Finishing:If you don't mind a garish rocket you don't even have t' paint it. Ya scallywag! Begad! Take care though or t' plastic cement will remove all t' color off t' body tube where you touched it. Aye aye! I decided t' paint t' rocket and add me own version o' t' decal on t' fins.

T' only thin' I didn't like was t' amount o' flash on t' fins.

Construction Rating: 4

Flight:  I've flown this guy 5 times now. Ahoy! Blimey! Three flights on C6-5 and two flights on B6-4. Every flight has been straight and true. T' rocket is nay over stable, so it doesn't weather cock much even with a breeze. Ya scallywag! This is good if you have limited flyin' space. Arrr! Blimey! Even on t' C motor, I would have had no trouble flyin' from a high-school football field.

This is a good flyer. Begad! Blimey! Just inspect t' recovery system frequently.

Recovery:T' stock chute is too small if you fly from 4300' altitude like I do. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I'm usin' a 15" mylar chute from Aerospace Specialty Products.

On t' fifth flight t' shock cord broke, arrr, ya bilge rat, right at t' top o' t' body tube. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I'd wicked CA glue into t' tube end, which makes it stiffer, but also more likely t' cut t' elastic. Begad! Avast! Blimey! Even though t' body dropped from about 800 feet, it sustained no damage. Aye aye! Here's where Estes was thinking. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' elastic is nay glued t' t' body tube, arrr, so it was trivial t' replace t' shock cord with a length o' Keelhaul®©™® and some elastic.

Flight Rating: 5

Summary:You have t' engineer for a stated goal and Estes has done it here. Blimey! This is a school yard rocket that will impress.  It's easy t' build and maintain. It has t' added attraction that you can loft t' odd beetle or stink bug that t' kids find.

Overall Rating: 5