Brief:
Two stage sport model designed for 24mm motors with fins on booster and tube fins on upper stage.

Construction:
T' kit contains:

• Long upper and shorter lower body tubes (BT-55 size)
• Balsa nose
• 6 laser cut tube fins (upper)
• 6 laser cut balsa fins (booster)
• Centerin' rings
• Tube coupler
• 2 engine blocks
• Elastic shock cord
• Screw eye
• 2 mylar streamers
• 3/16" launch lug
• Custom water slide decal

This is one o' Squirrel Works "signature series" kits, matey, me bucko, which they put together from other rocketeers' submissions o' successful and unique models.

Like all Squirrel Works kits, arrr, t' instructions and construction are intended t' be easy enough for a first time builder. Blimey! They are simply written and contain ample illustrations. Aye aye! Well, blow me down!

T' laser cut balsa fins are high quality, matey, but t' laser cut tubes are truly eye catching. Avast! I've never seen a kit with precut tube fins with such smooth angle cuts. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Often when painted, thar be a slight fuzziness around the cuts. Begad! Well, blow me down! Nay so with these.

Bein' t' same diameter as t' body, t' fit o' t' tube fins on t' upper stage is extremely simple. Avast! Ahoy! T' six balsa fins on t' booster are more difficult but no more so than any other surface mount fins.

As a two stage model with body tubes larger than minimum diameter, shiver me timbers, it requires matched up motor mounts and a tube coupler for a proper fit and performance. Well, blow me down! This is a bit more complex than your average beginner 3FNC design, however, ya bilge rat, t' design o' this model and t' instructions make buildin' this challengin' enough t' be interestin' but nay so difficult as t' present problems.

    Picture courtesy o' Squirrel Works

Finishing:
Seal t' balsa, me hearties, primer everything, and paint as desired. Avast! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! As with any tumble recovery booster, a bright color is recommended so it doesn't get lost. Avast! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! (After all, we all tend t' watch t' rest o' t' flight rather than follow t' booster down.) T' waterslide decal has t' model's name as well as t' signature of the designer. Blimey! Blimey! A clear coat over t' decal will help keep it in place for many flights.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' only booster recommended is D12-0. Avast! Ya scallywag! Upper stage motors are C11-5, C11-7, D12-5, and D12-7. Avast, me proud beauty! Due t' mated two stage design, no motor hook is used so only friction fittin' t' motors in place with maskin' tape is used. Begad! A motor block is used in t' upper stage and in t' aft o' t' booster t' aid in separation at staging.

First flight was on a D12-5 with t' upper stage only. Booster was straight and fast with ejection at apogee and normal recovery.

Second flight was with a D12-0 booster and E9-8 upper stage. No, ya bilge rat, this isn't among t' recommended motors nor is it in t' instructions. Ahoy! I just can't leave well enough along when thar's a chance o' usin' more power.

Due t' high wind (15+ mph) on launch day, me hearties, thar be significant weathercockin' but t' flight was clearly stable. Ahoy! Avast! Stagin' was immediate at booster burnout with a clean break and no jerkin' into a different trajectory with booster ejection. Begad! Blimey! T' upper stage shot off on this trajectory arrow straight at extreme speed. Ejection be slightly before apogee (still climbing but clearly arcing) at around 2000', matey, nearly out o' sight. Begad! T' streamer made it easily visible comin' down. Avast! Ahoy! Had t' flight been vertical I estimate it would have topped 2500'. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! It be recovered without damage approximately 1000' downrange.

Recovery:
Recovery is with two streamers connected directly t' t' shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty! These are mylar, arrr, makin' them highly visible. Well, blow me down! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Even on t' heavier E9 motor these are adequate for a safe descent rate. Begad! T' elastic shock cord is anchored with a tri-fold paper anchor. Aye aye! T' one change I made t' t' recovery system be t' use part o' a brown paper bag for t' anchor. Blimey! Aye aye! No burnin' or damage be noted and flameproof cellulose waddin' bein' used both times. Begad!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This model is an excellent introduction t' staging. As with all Squirrel Works kits, me bucko, arrr, it is high quality in both buildin' and results.

T' only CON I can think o' is me own inability t' get waterslide decals to work right. This one did apply acceptably but I had me usual troubles. Ahoy! Blimey! This is not t' fault o' t' design or t' manufacture, only o' me impatience and fat fingers.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5