Brief:
This be t' Launch Pad's scale Sidewinder AIM-9L missile model. Ahoy! Begad! This is a mid-power rocket with a parachute recovery.

Construction:
This kit comes with balsa planks, ya bilge rat, two body tubes, matey, a plastic nose-cone, centerin' rings, me bucko, me bucko, arrr, and all other standard kit pieces. Avast! It also comes with putty for nose-cone weight. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! T' shock cord be simple elastic, which be a bit inadequate for this great model. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! There are also lots o' other small balsa shapes, and dowels for t' construction.

I found t' kit straight forward, me hearties, and this be me first non-Estes rocket. Ahoy! And, shiver me timbers, I wont work on anythin' less challengin' again! Blimey! T' instructions are lengthy, shiver me timbers, matey, but when followed carefully will make for an enjoyable project. Ahoy! Avast! Blimey! I followed other reviewer's tips. Begad! Blimey! When I built t' stringers for each side o' t' fin, arrr, ya bilge rat, I put them on at an angle and drilled holes for more realism.

I read that t' balsa supplied from TLP is soft, arrr, shiver me timbers, and followed their advice o' coatin' with CA. Blimey! Begad! Still, matey, after launching, this is still too soft and I have had some fin damage. Well, blow me down! I will repair usin' paper over t' balsa, arrr, then coatin' for CA, and see if that holds. I do think t' forward fins need some reinforcement.

All in all, construction be straight forward. Aye aye! Lots o' small details make this fun. Well, blow me down! Avast! Blimey! Note: I have nay modeled since I was a kid, arrr, matey, and did nay find this too challenging.

Finishing:

As with all TLP models, no decals, matey, arrr, but that is ok. Arrr! I painted usin' simple primer coats, and testors spray paint. Blimey! Arrr! See pictures for t' finish. I also looked at as many pics as I could find and found a few small details like paintin' t' forward guidance pivots red. Blimey! I love t' way t' model looks and I have received lots o' compliments.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Flew this model only once so far. Launched in a slight wind in San Francisco at t' base o' t' Golden Gate Bridge. Begad! Arrr! Used t' recommended D12-3 motor. Aye aye! Used small amount o' wadding.

Fox 2! Blimey! Weathercocked only slightly. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Flew beautifully and straight. Arrr! Blimey! Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey! Chute deployed at apogee. Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Chute got tangled on forward fin, but had some resistance on decent.

Recovery:
I increased t' length o' t' shock cord, shiver me timbers, with a round, shiver me timbers, black piece o' elastic. Ahoy! Love t' look and functionality. However, me hearties, matey, as mentioned, ya bilge rat, t' chute got tangled somehow. Ya scallywag! T' first ever recovery malfunction I have had with any rocket I own. Begad! Consequently, shiver me timbers, I had some slight fin damage on t' forward fins.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I love this rocket. Blimey! Avast! It be fun t' build, and t' fly. Ahoy! It be t' best looker in me arsenal o' democracy. Ahoy! I love this company and their kits and have built more and will continue t' do so.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
I would reinforce t' forward fins. Avast! Blimey! Might even try and find some light plywood. Well, blow me down! At t' very least, I might try t' technique o' overlayin' tissue or 20 lb paper and CA that over t' balsa. Aye aye! Other than that, arrr, would nay change a thing.