Brief:
This is a historic, shiver me timbers, me hearties, near-scale replica o' t' NASA Gemini-Titan space capsule and man-rated booster. It is a cardboard and plywood 29mm MPR, single engine, single booster with single parachute recovery design. Blimey! Blimey! It comes with removable engine bells for display, arrr, matey, and a slide-on-and-clamp fin set. Ya scallywag!

Construction:
T' kit part list is small for t' overall size o' t' finished rocket. Arrr! Blimey! This translates into a very simple-to-build model. T' motor mount system consists of 2 laser-cut plywood centerin' rings around a 29mm ID cardboard engine tube. T' recovery system is anchored t' t' rocket motor retention assembly using braided steel bicycle brake cablin' (at least that what came t' mind when I looked at it) and loopin' it around t' engine tube. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' cable is pre-mounted to one o' t' centerin' rings, matey, so assembly is very simple.

Plywood fins are large and easy t' mount, matey, arrr, but I deviated here by makin' my own clear, ya bilge rat, rectangular Lexan polycarbonate fins instead. Ya scallywag! It added a bit more weight but its a cleaner look for this model.

T' Gemini capsule is made from a single-pour o' urethane into a mould, which makes it heavy but durable. Begad! T' surface detailin' is amateurish especially given t' size and price o' t' model, but if its really a flyer you want t' build as opposed t' a looker, then it is "good enough". Paint and some added detailin' will do wonders for this component.

Instructions were very easy t' follow with simple assembly steps. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Nay much there in t' way o' difficulty. I didn't like t' way t' stock fin set mounted to t' rocket--it uses t' compression o' a worm-rin' clamp t' hold everything together once t' motor is inserted. Arrr! Blimey! Instead, I replaced t' whole MMT assembly with an AeroTech 4" MMT system I got from A2Z Hobbies (its t' 4" Fin Lok Kit that includes motor tube, Fin-Lok rings, motor hook, shiver me timbers, coolin' mesh, ejection gas baffle, screw eye, thurst ring, ya bilge rat, arrr, thrust rin' flange and centering rings). Begad! Begad! Blimey! Those parts add about $25 t' t' overall price, ya bilge rat, but if you love bulding and flyin' historic scale/near-scale replicas like I do, then I believe this is the way t' go. Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! That said, t' instructions come with a fin alignment template, good diagrams, good decal placement notes and paint scheme instructions.

Because o' t' weight o' this rocket, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, I set it up for a rail launch. Blimey! I think you'll save yourself some anxiety and get a better use-set o' motors to play with.

I didn't build t' decorative engine bell assemply, though it looks pretty easy t' do and t' parts fit together well - 'cause I could care less. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! My models don't go 'on display'. Rather they stay stored in protective carry boxes.

Finishing:
I didn't find t' finishin' o' this rocket t' be onerous. Avast! Quite t' contrary. T' decals at first glance are a bit intimidatin' because t' sheet is huge and needs t' be applied in one at most two applications. Arrr! Avast!

T' paint scheme involves two colours - gloss white and silver. I used a 'chrome' paint as opposed t' standard aluminum as t' former provides a more realistic colourin' and finish. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!

T' decals are very high quality self-stick vinyl and surprisingly easy to place. Avast! I recommend that if you feel a bit overwhelmed by t' size o' t' sheet, you will be interested in cuttin' t' decal sheet into two hoizontal sections and applyin' separately.

T' urethane Gemini capsule MUST be washed with soap and water t' get residue off it. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Otherwise, you'll have issues paintin' it. Aye aye! Blimey! Once scrubbed, matt the surface with a one o' those green or grey emery finishin' pads and attach any additional details you might want t' t' capsule. Arrr! Ahoy! Blimey! I recommend that in addition t' usin' urethane glue (not epoxy) t' attach additonal parts t' the capsule, shiver me timbers, arrr, that you attach them mechanically as well if you can.

T' kit, much t' me chagrin, matey, does nay come with Gemini capsule decals(!?). So, off t' t' colour laser printer t' make some up. I just made these out of paper and stuck them on t' capsule - looks fine. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Blimey! They're accurate and tough.

If you are lookin' for a super (full0 scale kit o' this historic rocket, this is nay it. Ahoy! But, with some work and good craftin' skills, shiver me timbers, it can be made into one fairly smartly because it offers a solid base on which t' develop. Well, blow me down!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
I used AeroTech G80-4T SU motors on all me flights. Avast! Blimey! T' rocket is launched from my homemade rail launcher. Begad! All t' flight were perfect with apogee betwixt 150m and 200m I would say.

T' way you fly this bird is t' slide motor into t' MMT, arrr, then slide fin/MMT-sleeve assembly over t' MMT end, me bucko, arrr, and clamp t' whole thin' with a worm clamp. Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions guide you through this well. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! My method be t' slide my Lexan fin can/MMT sleeve assembly over t' MMT with t' AeroTech motor clip and then insert me motor. You have t' cut a channel inside t' MMT sleeve tube of the fin can assembly t' accomodate t' AeroTech motor clip properly. T' fin can assembly I made has a backin' plate with a fasterner thet attaches t' the base centerin' rin' o' t' rocket booster fuselage.

I use a Keelhaul®©™® parachute blanket and extra-long elastic and nylon strap harness. T' rocket is very nose haevy as you would expect, arrr, matey, me hearties, so t' long rail and additonal rear-end mass from t' AeroTech MMT parts is very helpful.

Recovery:
This rocket is an excellent flyer and very durable for cardboard construction. It is easy t' prep and descent speed with t' stock chute is satisfactory (on a grass field). Arrr! I had no damage t' report and no unusual wear and tear. Ahoy! Because of t' over stability, ya bilge rat, aerodynamic bouyancy and weight characteristics o' this rocket, I suggest launchin' it only in ideal climate conditions from a soft field. Begad! Blimey!

Because o' t' materials used, arrr, arrr, make sure you stick with a long elastic strap as a shock cord - while robust, me hearties, this is no PML Pterodactyl Jr.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Pro's for this kit are:

1. Begad! Ahoy! Big and simple t' build

2. Aye aye! Quality parts, matey, decent materials and good fit

3. Well, arrr, blow me down! Tough when built usin' appropriate build techniques (Epoxy, JB-Weld, Cyanoacrylate, etc.)

4. Ya scallywag! Main roll pattern decals

5. Ahoy! Over-stable out-of-the-box due t' heavy urethane capsule and big fins - no guessin' about this!

6. Arrr! Good display engine bells if you are interested

7. Avast, me proud beauty! OK quality nylon parachute - but nay ripstop

8. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Easy t' follow build instructions

9. Arrr! Came with a nice SS barrel swivel for t' chute

Cons are:

1. Avast! This kit seems t' be hard t' get (there seems t' be a problem with 4" tube supply but I don't see why 4" AeroTech tubin' can't be used)

2. Avast! Fin set mount system is goofy but I am sure works fine - you really need to consider replacin' with AeroTech FinLok parts (except fin mount parts), arrr, me bucko, and definitely use t' plywood fins if you don't want t' use clear plastic like I did, me hearties, ya bilge rat, they're good.

3. Ahoy! T' kit should come with both rail buttons and brass rod guides

4. Blimey! Capsule needs some fundamental work with detailin' for better scale appearance - thar be ample opportunity t' use one's craftin' skills to build-out t' scale o' this model.

5. Ahoy! Blimey! I think this model needs a stuffer tube

6. Well, blow me down! Parachute could be better quality rip-stop and better finish.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5