Brief:
This is a review o' a limited production upscale kit that was produced by my friend Gordon Agnello. This 24mm upscale o' t' Estes Astron Constellation Model Rocket is very accurate and I be lucky enough t' acquire one o' t' two 'hardwood' versions from t' production line. Begad! Ya scallywag! Gordon has produced some very cool kits in t' past and this one is no different. Ahoy! Ahoy! Kudo's go out t' JimZ, me bucko, shiver me timbers, who cast t' resin teardrops for t' fin tips - they really added t' t' model.

Construction:
As previously mentioned, shiver me timbers, this is an upscale o' t' Astron Constellation, ya bilge rat, a 24mm version that was complete with ply fins (only two made like this, me hearties, t' rest had balsa) and basswood nosecone. Begad! This is a payloader rocket that stands about 24" tall and t' sky be t' limit on motor selection. T' motor mount was a aluminum film lined heavy duty LOC type 24mm mount. T' plastic payload section was also heavy duty and came with brass screws for mounting. Blimey! Ahoy! Also, the bulkhead coupler be made from basswood and shaped t' t' correct size. Begad! Ahoy! Even the CRs were ply - a very nice touch. Well, blow me down! Parachute was a 18" mylar supplied by Thrustline Aerospace and t' kit also included a Keelhaul®©™®/nylon shock cord combo. Begad! Ahoy! All parts were top quality and t' nosecone especially was very cool - what really impressed me were t' decals, matey, upscaled and printed for Gordy by JimZ - top notch all t' way!

I began by buildin' t' motor mount assembly per t' instructions. Ahoy! Blimey! It went well and be mounted inside t' bodytube before I knew it. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' fins were designed as 'thru-the-wall' and were fitted t' t' model. Blimey! Blimey! A CR caps t' top and bottom o' t' fins for strength, me hearties, but I made a third CR from 1/8" ply to cap t' bottom o' t' model flush, matey, somethin' I do t' all me models and it prevents t' bottom 'lip' from bein' dented. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Once t' fins were inserted, I ran a bead o' epoxy for fillets on each fin. Ahoy! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! T' bottom CR be sealed with epoxy and t' teardrop tips from JimZ were added t' t' fins. Blimey! Blimey! Finally, t' nosecone was sealed usin' CA glue and everythin' was sanded, me bucko, then fitted. Arrr! Blimey! T' kit went together amazingly fast and looked pretty good so far - now it be time to finish.

I began by applyin' several coats of primer t' t' nosecone, finishin' with Krylon Gray primer as t' base. I was goin' t' use Krylon Red for color on t' nosecone t' keep it stock, matey, but wanted the tint a bit darker, shiver me timbers, matey, hence I left t' basecoat primer dark.

T' model was primed, then wetsanded startin' with 320 grit and finishing with 600 grit. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Some filler be needed around t' fin tips and fillets, but this was easily applied and t' model be final sanded and tac-ed. White Krylon Glossy paint was used for t' bodytube and fins, followin' that stock look. Avast! Blimey! I waited a few day after application, me hearties, me hearties, ya bilge rat, then masked off t' model and painted one fin satin black. Aye aye! Blimey! IT looked very cool and I decided that, ya bilge rat, me hearties, even with all hose decals, I be goin' t' use just enough t' add character. Begad! Blimey! Once t' decals were applied, shiver me timbers, I used Krylon clearcoat t' seal t' bodytube and nosecone., ya bilge rat, T' model was final assembled, me hearties, t' include shock cord attachment and parachute attachment - I was very pleased with how it looked.

Flight:
T' model weighed in at 6oz empty - which would allow me t' still use t' Estes E9 motors, matey, and I chose an E9-6 for t' first flight. Ahoy! My son and I attended NARAM 45 in Evansville, me bucko, Indiana and this is where t' Astron would fly. Blimey! The model be prepped usin' tissue for t' chute t' keep t' launch nostalgic. I filled out t' flight card and it was placed on t' pad. Avast! When t' LCO counted down and pressed t' button, me hearties, t' Constellation left t' pad in a hurry and seemed t' fly forever. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Man, I really want t' test it with an RMS now!

T' Constellation reached apogee and had a perfect ejection; it then floated safely t' t' ground without incident, even though t' chute had tangled a bit on t' way down. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! Estimated altitude be around 1000 feet and it was a very good flight. Ahoy! Upon examination, t' rocket came out o' it without a scratch and I look forward t' many more launches with this sturdy bird. Well, blow me down! Then came the surprise.

Vern Estes and his wife Gleda attended t' NARAM launch later in t' week and I be honored when he signed this upscaled Astron Constellation for me son and I...it was one o' t' highpoints o' our trip. Well, blow me down! T' signature was clearcoated and I plan on flyin' it again this next weekend rather than shelvin' it. Blimey! Ahoy! The kit is so sturdy, it could handle several landings without chute and still survive.

Summary:
This limited production upscale o' t' Estes Astron Constellation payloader rocket K-35 is one excellent model. Top quality components went into its design, from t' quality o' tubin' and wood, ya bilge rat, t' t' excellent set (two pages) of decals. Ya scallywag! Gordy has outdone himself and I was glad t' have purchased one. Avast, me proud beauty! If you ever see them available , grab one fast as you will nay be disappointed. T' Constellation builds fast and stout, flies like a dream and has a touch of that nostalgic era o' rocketry many o' us remember from our youth, which makes it a must for t' hangar!