Brief:
An upscaled version o' t' classic Alpha that flies on standard Estes 18mm engines. Ahoy! Avast! Almost 20 inches tall, this rocket reaches heights o' 600 feet.

Construction:
Balsa Nose Cone, me bucko, arrr, me hearties, Laser-cut Balsa Fins, Cardstock Centerin' Rings, me bucko, Engine Hook, BT-60 body tube, and waterslide Decals

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' only thin' I changed was t' add a Keelhaul®©™ shock cord that ties around t' motor tube betwixt t' upper and lower centerin' ring. I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount be inserted into t' BT. Begad! T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. After sandin' t' BT, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, t' tube was marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Begad! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' laser-cut fins are made from 1/8 hard balsa. Avast, me proud beauty! T' fins leadin' edge be rounded and they were glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Ahoy! Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, me bucko, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' clean up t' joints. Avast! Blimey! T' launch lugs was attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. Begad! Begad! T' kit provides one long launch that I cut in half and installed them on t' bt about 7" apart.

T' only con was t' nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! It was made from hard balsa which is good, me hearties, but it was very heavy. Begad! I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. Blimey! Aye aye! However, because o' t' weight o' t' cone hittin' t' advertised weight o' 2.2oz is nearly impossible.

Finishing:
I sealed t' balsa fins and nose cone with two coats o' Minwax Polyurethane. Begad! Begad! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that be brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' filler be sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' Super Alpha was painted silver with Dupli-color, and t' metallic black be Rustoleum. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Once t' body be allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal be applied. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' decal applied easily with no issues.

Construction Rating: 4out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' Super Alpha three times on t' first day. Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I used an Estes C6-3, Estes C6-5, and a Quest C6-3. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! All three flights were perfect, stable, ya bilge rat, and recovered close t' t' pad. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! On one o' t' flights t' nose cone impacted t' top o' t' BT causin' very minor damage that be easily fixed.

Recovery:
T' supplied 18" 'chute is a little on t' large size, me bucko, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, arrr, but t' wind was less than 5mph. A 12" or 16" parachute would be better.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Estes Super Alpha is another great offering. Ahoy! It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. Begad! Begad! T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. Arrr! T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5