Brief:
T' Estes CATO is a model rocket designed t' actually break apart in flight. It is an E2X series kit. Well, blow me down! It is also becomin' quite rare. It flies on Estes B and C lower stage booster motors and uses three recovery modes parachute, shiver me timbers, streamer and tumble.

Construction:
I got me kit from an online auction. T' kit arrived in a box rather than a plastic bag. All t' components were accounted for and in good shape so I began construction.

T' instructions had lots o' text and illustrations as well as a section on what t' expect when you fly t' model. Avast! By readin' this, you'll know how t' break-apart theory works. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Because o' t' simple construction, no templates were needed. Blimey! This rocket is very simple t' build. Ya scallywag! I have about 6 hours in mine. Ahoy! Most o' that time was waitin' for t' plastic cement t' dry. Begad! I never rush any project regardless o' simplicity. Arrr! I started with t' motor mount. Ahoy! I then set it aside t' dry. Aye aye! Next you glue t' fin halves together then glue them into t' panels. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! I then attached t' lug t' t' body tube.

PROS: Easy and rapid construction.

CONS: Motor tube a tad too long (Easily fixed).

Next be t' piston assembly. It consists o' two pistons and a wooden dowel slidin' through t' motor mount tube, me hearties, through an aft retainin' rin' and t' body tube. Aye aye! It should also be assembled carefully because this be t' system that causes t' model t' fall apart. Ya scallywag! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! I really took me time here. Well, blow me down! I then assembled t' parachute and then attached it t' t' large forward piston. I then attached t' rather large streamer t' t' motor mount by usin' t' sticky tape provided.

Finishing:
There is really no finishin' due t' t' pre-colored orange body tube and dark purple plastic parts. Blimey! However, ya bilge rat, some awesome two color decals are included t' dress up t' model even more. T' finished rocket looks great.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors are t' B6-0 and C6-0 red label booster motors. Begad! Estes advises against usin' other manufacturers motors. Avast! One thin' I really like about this rocket is that it does nay require recovery wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! You just assemble t' sections, ya bilge rat, load t' motor and fly. I've flown this rocket on B6-0's for every flight. T' rocket boosted straight up every time then POP, me bucko, t' rocket disintegrated into exactly seven pieces. Blimey! You then have t' body on t' parachute, matey, t' motor mount on t' streamer and t' three fin sections and yes t' two nose cone halves rainin' down on you.

PROS: No waddin' needed, me bucko, ya bilge rat, Flies great.

CONS: None

Recovery:
Recoverin' seven parts may seem tricky but if you fly t' model off short grass, you won't have a problem. Blimey! I found each piece every time. Ya scallywag! Read me flight logs. Avast, me proud beauty! T' only thin' that annoyed me is that t' streamer gets scorched every time by t' ejection gas. Blimey! Also, it is recommended that you clean t' motor tube after every flight. I also recommend that you take a slightly damp piece o' paper towel and wipe t' ejection grime off t' aft piston every couple o' flights.

PROS: Fun t' watch.

CONS: Streamer scorches every time.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really love this rocket. Begad! It is one o' me new favorites. Sadly, matey, me hearties, it is OOP. I really think that Estes SHOULD reissue it PERIOD!!! Also, me bucko, if you find one, me hearties, shiver me timbers, arrr, it will be a tad pricey. Ahoy! I paid $30.00 for mine. Other than that GRAB IT. Well, blow me down! As I said it is becomin' rare. Begad! Blimey! Searchin' for one may take awhile. Avast! Main PROS: Very fun rocket. Nuff said. Aye aye! Main CONS: OOP also rather expensive now.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5