Brief:
T' Solar Express is a retro styled kit reminiscent o' t' Binder Design Galaxy. It is styled t' look like a futuristic (as be envisioned in t' 1950's) spaceliner.

Construction:
T' materials include:

• 2.6" heavy weight body tube
• Balsa nose cone
• 29mm MMT
• Plywood centerin' rings
• Laser cut fins
• Nomex® parachute protector
• Nylon parachute
• Keelhaul®©™® and elastic shock cord
• Launch lug
• Coupler tube
• Plywood bulkhead
• Water slide decal sheet
• Assorted hardware

All materials were o' t' absolute best quality and made for an excellent value from a parts point o' view. Blimey! The 2.6" balsa nose cone was really impressive as were t' included Nomex® flame shield and nylon parachute. This kit was a early production/prototype.

T' instructions were on a par with those produced by Estes and were very easy t' follow. Aye aye! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Basic mid-power skills are all that are needed t' craft this rocket. Begad! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! T' recovery harness is mounted t' t' MMT with a Keelhaul®©™® leader and extended by a elastic cord. Blimey! Arrr! An interestin' design feature be t' way a coupler tube is used t' create a nose weight compartment instead o' t' usual drillin' a hole in t' balsa cone or attachin' washers t' t' base o' t' cone.

Durin' t' assembly o' me kit, matey, me bucko, arrr, I did find that t' coupler tube used t' extend t' nose cone was too large for the body tube. Avast! I spoke via email t' Mike Stoop, owner o' MadCow who checked stock and promised t' correct the situation. Well, blow me down! I fixed it by peelin' a layer off t' tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Havin' done so, matey, t' tube was a little weak so I chose t' fill it with 2-part foam.

T' balance o' t' assembly was straightforward mid-power assembly and I would easily recommend this as a first MPR kit.

Finishing:
T' nose cone required a bit o' fillin' t' look right and I used oil based balsa sealer. Begad! T' fins were a basic sandin' job and I simply broke off t' sharp edges with medium grit sandpaper. Aye aye! T' tube spirals are minimal so a coat of Kilz spray took care o' them. Arrr! After sandin' I used gold tone Hammered Metal by Rustoleum t' maintain t' old world look. Arrr! T' waterslide decals are o' t' best quality however I did nay use them. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I liked t' way it looked without them.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' Solar Express flies flawlessly on a wide range o' low end composite motors. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Blimey! A mid delay is appropriate. Well, blow me down! I have so far used tape and friction retention. I suggested t' possibility o' includin' some sort o' retention with t' kit to round out a almost stunnin' kit.

Recovery:
T' shock cord is mounted PML-style t' t' MMT with a length o' Keelhaul®©™® line and then extended t' t' chute by a length o' elastic. Ahoy! Blimey! Given t' quality o' everythin' else, matey, shiver me timbers, I would prefer t' see a thin piece o' braided or tubular nylon instead o' t' elastic. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' parachute is a perfect size.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is an absolutely stunnin' kit and t' best thin' about it is I can fly somethin' that reminds me o' me BD Galaxy (which is me absolute favorite) at our summer field which is limited t' G power.

Mike is talkin' about producin' a 38mm version and I am all atwitter just thinkin' about it.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5