Brief:
T' Eruption is 4-motor cluster from Sunward Aerospace. Well, blow me down! T' motors are outwardly canted. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! Recovery is via an 18" parachute.

Construction:
T' kit includes a balsa nose cone, one BT-70 body tube, two laser cut centerin' rings, four motor tubes with clips, parachute materials, four laser cut lite-ply fins, and an elastic shock cord.

Construction was very straightforward. Ahoy! T' only difficult part in me opinion was t' motor mount. I had a hard time followin' t' method described in t' instructions. Avast! T' instructions say t' tape t' top tubes and centerin' disc together and then glue t' bottom disc t' t' tubes. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I did t' opposite o' that. Avast! I marked t' tubes where they were supposed t' meet t' bottom disc and taped them in place. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! I then tack glued t' top disc t' t' forward end o' the tubes, shiver me timbers, matey, before reinforcin' all t' joints with more glue. Arrr!

PROs:

• T' materials were very good quality.
• It is appears t' be a sturdy design.

Cons:

• T' wraparound guide for t' fins did nay line up correctly. There was about an 1/8" gap. Blimey! I printed me own guide usin' VCP.
• T' instructions and illustrations were a little vague and confusin' in some steps. I think a general rule to follow is: read t' instructions three times; build once.
• It was a little difficult t' discern t' orientation o' t' fins. Well, me hearties, blow me down! I recommend markin' t' leadin' edge for each one after you figure it out.

Finishing:
I finished t' tubes, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, fins, and nose cone with two coats o' Elmer's Wood Filler. Ahoy! T' fins began t' warp each time while applyin' t' filler. Begad! I kept them straight by pressin' betwixt glass plate and books. Avast! Aye aye!

I used Aves Fixit compound (same as epoxy clay sold by Apogee Rockets) t' fill in t' gaps betwixt t' motor tubes and t' body tube. Aye aye! Begad!

T' only con is that it doesn't come with any decals. Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! It didn't really matter though because I came up with me own design. Begad! Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! I'm a big fan o' t' Adult Swim cartoon, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, "Metalocalypse". On t' show there is a recurrin' character called Dr. Ya scallywag! Rockzo, t' rock and roll clown. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Blimey! He is very loud and wears bright fluorescent colors. Ahoy! I modeled t' finish design after him. I painted t' nose cone and fins florescent pink and t' body yellow. Well, blow me down! I printed images o' Dr. Aye aye! Blimey! Rockzo onto Staples brand white label paper usin' an inkjet printer. Begad! After applyin' t' stickers I sprayed on a couple coats o' acrylic clear coat. Arrr! I made t' mistake o' addin' stickers over t' course o' a few days, and some o' them started t' peel. Arrr! Begad! Blimey! T' avoid this, me hearties, I recommend havin' all t' stickers you are goin' t' use together and apply them at t' same time.

I would probably rate t' construction and finishin' a 2 or 2-1/2 due t' t' poor instructions and wraparound guide. I think t' design and parts quality were great though so I gave a higher score.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' first flight was great even though only 3 motors lit. Ya scallywag! It flew at a slight angle after leavin' t' pad but otherwise had a straight flight.

Recovery:
T' 18" parachute was fine. Arrr! Ya scallywag! T' shroud lines seem unusually long, shiver me timbers, me hearties, matey, and I wasn't sure if I should cut them down some. It seems t' work fine as is. Begad! I've nay seen any damage from landing.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: I love t' design. T' four canted motors along with t' overall shape make this stand out. Ahoy! T' parts are very good quality.

CONs: My main gripe be t' instructions. Avast! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I think they could have been presented better. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Also, t' parachute shroud lines seemed a little long.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5