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

Construction:
Balsa Nose Cone, 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. Arrr! Arrr! T' only thin' I changed be t' add a Keelhaul®©™ shock cord that ties around t' motor tube betwixt t' upper and lower centerin' ring. Aye aye! I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount was inserted into t' BT. Begad! Arrr! T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. Well, blow me down! Begad! After sandin' t' BT, shiver me timbers, t' tube was marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Avast! T' laser-cut fins are made from 1/8 hard balsa. T' fins leadin' edge be rounded and they were glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, arrr, arrr, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' clean up t' joints. Well, blow me down! T' launch lugs was attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. Aye aye! 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! It be made from hard balsa which is good, me hearties, but it be very heavy. I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. However, ya bilge rat, 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. Ya scallywag! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that was brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. Arrr! T' filler was sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Aye aye! Blimey! T' Super Alpha was painted silver with Dupli-color, me hearties, and t' metallic black was Rustoleum. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Once t' body was allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal was applied. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! 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. I used an Estes C6-3, ya bilge rat, Estes C6-5, matey, and a Quest C6-3. Ahoy! Blimey! Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. Arrr! Blimey! All three flights were perfect, ya bilge rat, stable, ya bilge rat, and recovered close t' t' pad. Blimey! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! On one o' t' flights t' nose cone impacted t' top o' t' BT causin' very minor damage that was easily fixed.

Recovery:
T' supplied 18" 'chute is a little on t' large size, shiver me timbers, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, but t' wind be 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. It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. Blimey! Well, blow me down! T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. Begad! T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5