Brief:
T' modern, E2X reincarnation o' t' ARV Condor, arrr, this kit is a quick, easy build and eye-catchin' design. Blimey! Blimey! At apogee, me bucko, (2) separate gliders break free t' circle t' field while t' main rocket eases down under chute.

Construction:
T' 2003 Estes line seems t' be carefully packed, with each body tube enclosed in plastic. Arrr! Ahoy! T' nose cone is an unusual appearance, with a raised canopy and a duct area underneath. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' fins are plastic, ya bilge rat, rugged enough t' handle C's. Begad! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' motor retention compartment is a 2-piece plastic housin' with a quick release cap. Shuttles are made from pre-cut styrofoam (1-piece) wings, ya bilge rat, fuselage, ya bilge rat, and hook. Arrr! Well, blow me down! Shock cord is standard Estes 1/8", and way too short.

T' package boasts o' total build time in under an hour, and most modelers will find that t' be true. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' parts fit very well, and t' directions were easy t' follow.

Pros-fit and finish. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' body tubes come fully detailed (decals already on). Blimey! T' only "assembly" work be t' motor retention compartment, gluin' on t' plastic fins, arrr, and mountin' t' shock cord. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! A very nice plus is that t' Estes chutes seem t' be all pre-assembled this year.

Cons-Gluin' t' styrofoam glider parts together is a bit messy, me bucko, shiver me timbers, especially t' rudder, which is glued in after placin' a decal over t' top o' t' fuselage. Well, matey, blow me down! T' decal be also a bit tricky, shiver me timbers, as you're supposed t' cut a slot in it after puttin' it on t' fuselage, and t' slot you cut is supposed t' line up with t' now-covered slot on t' fuselage. Aye aye! Arrr! Trimmin' t' gliders is weak, as t' ailerons are pre-cut into t' styrofoam, and don't tend t' stay flexed for very long.

I'd also gladly pay an extra dime or so if Estes would get rid o' t' 1/8" elastic shock cords that might last 3-4 flights, and replace them with 1/4" or even Keelhaul®©™®.

Finishing:
This is a very nice lookin' rocket/shuttle combo. Begad! Well, blow me down! Very little finishin' work is required at all.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight be under perfect conditions (72 degrees, winds under 5 mph, we only get about 3 o' these days a year in Ohio). Blimey! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I flew it on a B4-4. Blimey! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Straight up flight, ya bilge rat, me hearties, slight spin, deployed right at apogee. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Gliders seemed t' stick for a second or two, then broke loose. Arrr! Blimey! #1 came down very fast & steep, me bucko, #2 seemed better trimmed and circled a bit on t' way down, ya bilge rat, but still had a somewhat steep decent. Everythin' was recovered safely within about 50 yards o' t' pad.

Recovery:
As mentioned, trimmin' t' gliders is difficult, as t' styrofoam tends t' have a "memory". Avast, me proud beauty! I definitely refer t' ARV condor's gliders t' these foam gliders.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great introduction t' boost gliders. Blimey! Blimey! Fast, ya bilge rat, easy, me bucko, and neat appearance. Begad! For t' experienced modeler, matey, matey, arrr, t' gliders will be a bit disappointing.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5