Construction:
T' kit included t' motor mount tube, block, me bucko, adapter for D motors, me hearties, centerin' rings, matey, hook, two purple BT-56 body tubes, me bucko, ya bilge rat, coupler, ya bilge rat, matey, launch lug, ya bilge rat, standoff, yellow fin can, arrr, shock cord, shiver me timbers, me hearties, nose cone, ya bilge rat, 12 and 24 inch pre-assembled parachutes and decals.
T' instructions were typical Estes with illustrations and t' shock cord mount. Begad! This kit is rated at skill level 2 but I think that is because o' t' 24mm mount and t' ability t' fly on an E motor. Ahoy! Begad! I started with t' motor mount. T' motor hook on me kit unfortunately was missing, so rather than waitin' for Estes t' send me one, I decided t' go with friction fit retention. Aye aye! I glued t' mount into one o' t' body tubes. Begad! I then glued t' fin can into place. Ahoy! Arrr! After that I glued t' launch lug standoffs into place. T' kit included a 1/4 inch lug (can't imagine why)! I replaced that with a 3/16 lug. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! I now joined t' body tubes. Blimey! I then assembled t' shock cord assembly and glued it into place. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Two parachutes were included. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! An addendum was included t' inform you that if you wanted t' use t' 24 inch chute t' cut out t' entire spill hole t' prevent loss o' t' rocket. Begad! Ahoy! I used t' 12 inch chute and cut t' spill hole.
PROS: Fast and easy construction
CONS: Can't think o' any.
Finishing:
No real finishin' is required because o' t' purple and yellow parts. Ya scallywag! Just slap on t' decals and that's it. Begad! I also painted t' lug standoffs and tube joint with purple paint. Aye aye! Ahoy! An optional step is t' apply clear spray enamel but I chose nay t' do this.
PROS: No paintin' required.
CONS: None
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
Betwixt gettin' a new job and lousy conditions for flyin' a rocket like this, I have only flown this rocket once so far. Begad! T' recommended motors are t' D12-5, me hearties, D12-7, ya bilge rat, E9-6, E9-8. Begad! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! I also saw t' new C11-5 listed for this rocket in t' 2002 Estes Catalog. Ahoy! Avast! T' hook holds t' motor in place, but since me hook was missing, me bucko, I wrapped a single layer o' maskin' tape around t' motor and fit it in place behind t' adapter. T' flight was on a D12-5 and it was without a doubt an awesome flight. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Very fast lift-off and arrow straight boost t' apogee at 1000 feet or so.
Recovery:
With t' small chute, me bucko, this rocket appeared t' come down quick, me hearties, but safe. Arrr! I would nay recommend usin' t' 24 inch chute. Arrr! Aye aye! On an E9 flight, arrr, arrr, arrr, I would recommend usin' a large streamer. Avast! Even with a friction fit, ya bilge rat, matey, shiver me timbers, I still recovered t' rocket with t' motor in it.
PROS: Excellent flight performance.
CONS: None
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
Priced at about $15.00 t' $21.99, this rocket is a super buy. Aye aye! Avast! My thanks goes t' EMRR for providin' me with this model from t' Rocket Give-Away drawing.
Main PROS: Easy and quick construction, no paintin' required.
Main CONS: None
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
D.W.G. (May 1, 2002)