Brief:
T' Sunward Flyin' Umbrella is a very high drag rocket that looks like, me bucko, well, an umbrella and flies like one too. Begad! T' "rocket" uses a parachute for recovery, but that might nay really be needed. Ya scallywag! It does nay go very high and it comes down slowly.

Construction:
T' rocket comes with a single body tube, 8 fin struts, me hearties, me hearties, 8 umbrella panels, nose cone, parachute, me hearties, and 24mm motor mount. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' parts are laser cut and typical construction quality.

I won 2 Sunward rockets in a contest. Avast! Begad! I chose t' Flyin' Umbrella and Khufu's Pyramid. T' "rocket" construction is pretty straightforward. It is listed as a level 3 rocket and I would agree. T' instructions are nice and helpful. T' 8 "fins" were actually pretty easy t' attach. Arrr! I used Quick Dry Tacky Glue and they went on with no problem. Avast!

T' umbrella panels are thin and a little fragile, shiver me timbers, but they were glued in place with little trouble. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! I was a little worried that they would nay be strong enough, me hearties, but t' have survived t' flights with no problem.

T' shock cord might be a little short. Begad! If I had it t' do over again, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I would use a longer one.

There are no "gotchas" if you follow t' directions.

Finishing:
T' paint scheme that I chose made t' finishin' a little time consumin' as I wanted t' make t' Flyin' Umbrella look like an umbrella. Arrr! I chose red and white for t' umbrella panels. Arrr! I had some blue paint layin' around and it was July 4th so I decided t' finish t' rocket red, white and blue.

It is a little hard t' sand t' primer coat. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! There are a lot o' surfaces you have t' sand because with 8 fins, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, you have 16 surfaces and thar be also a top and bottom on t' umbrella panels t' sand. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Everyone who had seen t' Flyin' Umbrella said pretty much t' same thing, "That is nay goin' too high!" Everyone was correct. Ya scallywag! T' motor of choice be t' D12-3. T' rocket struggled t' get 60' in t' air. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! It arched over and was halfway down before t' ejection charge went off.

T' rocket be upside down at this time and t' parachute did nay have time to open, me bucko, however, me bucko, t' fall did nay do any damage t' t' rocket. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! A D12-0 might be a good choice as t' 3 second delay was too long.

I might try t' get some D11-P motors, me hearties, matey, use a foam nosecone, and just let the umbrella float down. I might even look t' use an F12 reload in t' Flying Umbrella.

Recovery:
Recovery was nay exactly what I expected. Aye aye! T' rocket was upside down when the ejection charge went off and t' parachute did nay have time t' catch any air or open.

Click here for a video o' t' launch.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Flyin' Umbrella is a good high drag design. It was used in a demonstration launch for some middle school kids, was fun t' build, and should be t' focus of attention at any launch.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5