Brief:
This is a semi-scale kit (inspired by t' Navy anti-ship missile) that looks pretty cool with very nice waterslide decals and all t' fins you could possibly want.

Construction:
I picked up this kit at a half-off special at a chain store and found t' contents survived t' multiple shipments through distribution centers and stock handlers just fine. Parts were o' average quality and included:

• Plastic nose cone
• White glassine body tube (very pronounced spirals)
• 3 sets o' 4 Laser cut balsa fins
• 18mm motor mount assembly (includin' centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, metal clip, block)
• Keelhaul®©™/elastic shock cord combo
• 14" plastic chute (kit that you assemble)
• Waterslide decals

This kit is listed as a skill level 3 kit, which I think is somewhat overrated. Well, blow me down! Avast! This requires no more skill or special knowledge than a typical 3FNC project although thar are 3 sets o' fins, so thar's a slight challenge on alignment. Begad! Even t' paint scheme is monochrome. Avast, me proud beauty! This could easily be built in a couple o' hours plus finishing.

T' instructions are fine with plenty o' illustrations. Begad! I rate Quest instructions slightly ahead o' Estes, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, simply because they are presented in a more logical and organized format.

Construction begins with a fairly ordinary motor mount, me hearties, consistin' o' an 18mm tube, a pair o' cardstock centerin' rings, a 13/18 block, arrr, and a metal clip. Begad! Kudos t' Quest for continuin' t' use Keelhaul®©™ shock cord anchored t' t' motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! This is good practice and teaches t' youngsters proper habits for durability and reliability o' deployment.

Next, t' body tube is marked for 4 fin lines and t' lug usin' a cut-out wraparound guide. There are 3 sets o' laser cut fins, matey, matey, so you'll have a lot o' balsa t' sand for this one. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! I tacked on t' fins with medium CA then applied two coats o' yellow glue fillets. Arrr! Blimey! I used a metal angle for alignment o' t' 3 fins on each line, arrr, anchorin' each fin t' t' angle with clothes pins. T' result was great alignment. Begad! Blimey! After attachin' t' fins, shiver me timbers, t' lug can be mounted about halfway up t' tube.

All that is left o' construction is makin' and attachin' t' chute lines, which is a minor nuisance for mature fingers.

Finishing:
I skipped out on a bit o' finishin' work, arrr, me hearties, choosin' nay t' fill t' spirals. I regretted that decision, me hearties, ya bilge rat, as after two coats o' primer thoroughly sanded, and two coats o' Rustoleum glossy white, I could spot t' seams from 10 feet away. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! This is too nice lookin' a kit t' leave such glarin' spirals.

T' instructions clearly indicate this is a single-color (white) finish, although t' illustration beneath t' paint notes shows a gray nose, as does t' picture on t' header card. I thought t' gray added a nice contrast t' t' otherwise dull white, arrr, me bucko, so went with that on t' nose.

There is a sheet o' very nice waterslide decals for this rocket. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! I had expected t' peel 'n' stick kind, me hearties, which is part o' why I didn't spend much time on t' spirals. Well, blow me down! T' waterslides add a deep blue color and were easy t' work with. Arrr! There are some tiny details though, me hearties, so you'll need a pair o' tweezers t' place these just right.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Since t' B6-4 is only estimated t' go t' 280 feet and I had a great low wind day, I went straight t' t' C6-5 for t' maiden flight. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! It flew fairly straight with a slight weathercock. Blimey! I think I had t' alignment straight, as it didn't spin any, but heard a distinct whistle on t' way up. I later found out one other flyer in our club had t' same issue on his earlier that day.

Recovery:
Deployment was slightly late but no worse than a slightly early 3. Aye aye! Blimey! T' chute got a bit caught up with twistin' lines, matey, so it came down fast but landed in soft grass with no damage.

I'm nay sure whether t' whistle would be a pro or con, but I'm scorin' it a con. I don't think t' real missiles announce their presence by whistling.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a little pricey at $13 retail but at half off ($6.50), this kit is a fantastic bargain, matey, especially with t' great decals. Aye aye! Heck, matey, I may even buy another one and fill in t' spirals, matey, shiver me timbers, figurin' that wind whippin' through t' canyon-like grooves might be what caused t' whistle.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5