Brief:
T' HyperX is an "Ready t' Fly" (RTF) that has a nose cone that comes down as a helicopter. Ahoy! T' body tube uses a 'chute for recovery.

Construction:
T' HyperX, on t' outside, is a basic 4FNC rocket. Ya scallywag! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Pullin' t' nose cone out reveals three blades attached t' t' nose cone. Ahoy! Each blade is about 4 inches long. Aye aye! T' motor mount uses a retainer rin' instead o' t' usual Estes motor retainer clip. Well, blow me down! Due t' t' length o' t' blades, arrr, t' shock cord is mounted WAY down t' body tube.

Since this is an RTF, thar be very little construction. Ahoy! Begad! Even t' chute was preassembled and attached t' t' shock cord. Begad! Blimey! T' only assembly required was t' attach rubber bands t' t' nose cone blades. Well, blow me down! T' rubber bands provide t' tension necessary t' unfurl t' blades after t' nose cone has been ejected from t' body tube. Arrr! T' fin unit/motor mount is molded plastic. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! While it is no fun for modelin' purposes, t' plastic is very durable and can withstand hard impacts. Aye aye! T' same applies t' t' plastic nose cone. Begad! T' "launch lug" is a molded piece o' plastic, ya bilge rat, with two rings t' guide t' launch rod. One major drawback t' t' construction be t' very slender shock cord mount (probably 1/8"). Begad! Like I said, me bucko, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' shock cord is mounted very deep into t' body tube t' give t' nose cone fins some room. This places it closer t' t' engine's ejection gases. Avast, me proud beauty! No doubt this shock cord is goin' t' be burned off soon. Avast! Remountin' t' shock cord at t' same depth might be tricky.

Finishing:
No finishin' necessary.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
Recommended motors are t' B4-2, B6-2/4, arrr, and t' C6-3. I used t' fins on t' nose cone t' pack t' recovery waddin' as far as possible into t' body tube. Ahoy! Begad! T' parachute and shock cord were then put into t' tube. T' nose cone blades were collapsed, me bucko, me bucko, and t' nose cone slid easily into place. Avast, me proud beauty! T' motor retainer rin' twisted off easily, matey, t' motor be inserted, shiver me timbers, and t' retainer rin' twisted securely on. Aye aye! T' first flight was on a B6-2. Shortly after leavin' t' launch pad, t' rocket took off on a 45 degree angle. It probably didn't get more than 100' off o' t' ground. Avast! T' ejection charge kicked in, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and t' nose separated. Well, blow me down! T' nose dropped like a rock for about 15 feet before t' blades kicked in. Well, blow me down! Avast! T' nose cone's descent rate was pretty slow, and on a windy day it will definitely drift quite a bit. T' body tube came down rather smartly on a 12" chute. Begad! Begad! T' second and third flights were better, also on B6-2s, shiver me timbers, but nay straight up. T' HyperX flies each time like it is weathercocking, except that it does nay necessary point into t' wind. Ahoy! Each time t' nose cone drifted a lot. Begad! Begad! This is definitely nay a rocket t' fly on a windy day. Ya scallywag! It's also a fairly heavy rocket, arrr, so t' flights are nay that high. Begad! Launch it on a C if you have t' room t' recover t' nose cone unit. Begad! Still, t' helicopter recovery makes this a fun rocket t' fly. Ya scallywag! It is one o' me son's favorite rockets t' watch.

Recovery:
Like I said, arrr, t' nose does drift quite a bit. Ahoy! But after several flights, me bucko, arrr, t' only noticeable wear be t' typical scorch marks on t' shock cord.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
T' HyperX is nay a great flyin' rocket, but it is a lot o' fun, especially for kids. It seems t' be a very sturdy rocket. Begad! Avast! T' only things that might wear out are t' shock cord, ya bilge rat, and t' rubber bands on t' nose cone. Begad! T' biggest con is that is is an RTF! This would have made a great kit.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5