Brief:
This is a neat display o' t' interior o' a model rocket motor, and at 3:1 upscale, it's large enough t' use in a typical classroom presentation.

Construction:
This kit comes packed in a typical rocket baggie with color header card and contains t' followin' parts:

• BT-70 tube
• Laser-cut cardboard detail sheet

This is described as a skill level 2 kit, and I'd say that's accurate. Avast! It might nay look that tough, shiver me timbers, but this is actually a pretty detailed and highly engineered kit and requires careful construction skills. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions feature excellent illustrations and detailed steps. Avast, me proud beauty! You will definitely want t' pay close attention t' them, me bucko, as this is nay at all an obvious/intuitive construction project.

Construction starts out with t' assembly o' t' interior ribs and spine. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! At first glance, this looks like overkill--this really doesn't need t' structural support--but it's intended t' reflect t' motor casin' thickness. Everythin' was pre-notched and fit very well, and it was smartly tacked together usin' white glue.

With t' guts done, me bucko, t' next phase is tube cutting. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! T' outer section o' t' model is a BT-70, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, which needs to be split open almost in half, me bucko, arrr, then trimmed t' length. Ya scallywag! With such laser cut precision details, I'm nay sure why t' tube wouldn't already be cut t' length, but that's minor extra work so nay a big deal. This half BT-70 holds t' rib/spine assembly, which in turn holds a split open BT-60 section. Aye aye! Ahoy! Blimey! T' propellant section goes into t' split open BT-60.

Dependin' on whether you want t' model a booster motor or one with a delay charge, you can choose t' build an upper section for t' delay. Avast! Arrr! This module is much like t' propellant module--a flat piece mounted t' a couple semicircles, me bucko, ya bilge rat, though in this case it sits inside a TC-60 coupler section t' strengthen it a bit.

All told, this can be built in about 2 hours.

Finishing:
Right out o' t' bag, it looks motor shaped but does nay include anythin' for finishing. Aye aye! Blimey! You are left t' either paint/decorate it on your own, matey, me bucko, or better yet download t' free patterns t' print out on white label stock. Well, blow me down! Blimey! The patterns cover an outer wrap t' make it look like a B6-4 or B6-0 motor plus interior labels t' go over t' flat pieces identifyin' t' propellant, me bucko, delay, ejection charge, etc.

I printed off a set o' labels, and they looked pretty good, arrr, though t' outer wrap can be a little tricky t' apply and keep perfectly aligned. Ya scallywag! In me case, I have a very slight wrinkle where I tried t' peel it back up t' reposition.

I then circled back and hand painted in some o' t' interior sections, such as t' half-cones and t' ends.

I coated everythin' when done with two light applications o' Krylon clear acrylic fixative.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this is a good instructional aid. Avast, me proud beauty! At $9, shiver me timbers, it's nay too expensive and it's rugged enough t' survive being handed around for a show and tell session.

PROs: Very realistic looking.

CONs: Slightly over-engineered. T' BT-60 could be supported by just a pair o' half rings, no need for t' spine assembly.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5