Brief:
This is a model o' t' United Stated Airforce 1962 spy reconnaissance plane. Aye aye! Blimey! Still t' fastest and highest flyin' plane in t' world.

Construction:
When I opened t' box I be mesmerized at all t' pieces t' t' blackbird and a few I never used before. This is a Estes Challenger level kit. Begad! Arrr! An appropriate classification since it was. Ahoy! This kit can be built with a ruler, matey, hobby knife and white or yellow glue. Avast! Blimey! I recommend yellow and white glue but more on that later.

T' reason this rocket is so challengin' is that it is a airplane design nay a rocket design. Begad! T' two most frustratin' features for me were t' paper shroud and t' fin alignment. Avast! Well, blow me down! T' paper shroud is what makes t' rocket look like t' Air Force plane. Aye aye! There are actually two shrouds. One goes over t' top o' t' rocket and t' other t' bottom. Ahoy! My trim job on t' shrouds be were I messed up. Arrr! Aye aye! Use white glue after you trim t' shrouds because yellow sets up t' fast and you need t' micro adjust t' shrouds t' get a good look. Since I trimmed t' shrouds too much I had gappin' were t' left and right nacelles went. Ahoy! T' fin alignment is also tricky because you cut out a little piece o' paper from t' Estes instructions and that's all t' assistance you get. Aye aye! Make sure t' use yellow glue on this part for faster set up. Also be cautious joinin' t' balsa fins t' body tube and nacelles t' ensure proper alignment. Begad! Also be extremely cautious trimmin' and sandin' balsa parts or you will get gapping.

Finishing:
T' rocket is nay yet finished. Begad! I am dissatisfied with t' looks. Arrr! I have primed t' rocket grey and need t' fill in some gaps with wood putty. I am goin' t' fly t' rocket before finishin' t' see if t' Blackbird is stable.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' SR-71 flew great for all t' balsa hangin' off o' it. Arrr! That really surprised me, that's why I left t' paint job off o' it, I thought for sure it would be bottom heavy. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! But I did put plenty o' nose weight in t' nose cone. Because o' all t' wood on it it really reacts t' weather cocking.

I had two excellent flight for this bird but I gust o' wind carried it into a pine tree on t' second flight. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! A unbelievably nice gentleman climbed t' pine tree t' get it back for me. Ahoy! Blimey! I should have gave him a reward.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
If you like buildin' challengin' and historically accurate aircraft then t' Estes SR71 Blackbird is for you. Very challengin' t' build , but some very rewardin' flights, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, plus t' bonus o' havin' in your rocket collection t' fastest plane on earth!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5