Brief:
New "E" motor high altitude sport rocket. Single staged, me bucko, shiver me timbers, arrr, parachute recovery. Avast! I do believe that this be t' old Maniac rocket with new colors, a new name, and a new motor mount t' accommodate t' E9 motor.

Construction:
T' kit included t' motor mount tube, block, adapter for D motors, centerin' rings, me hearties, hook, me hearties, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, two purple BT-56 body tubes, coupler, me hearties, launch lug, standoff, me hearties, yellow fin can, shock cord, 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. Arrr! 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. 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, me hearties, I decided t' go with friction fit retention. Well, blow me down! Begad! I glued t' mount into one o' t' body tubes. Begad! Blimey! I then glued t' fin can into place. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! After that I glued t' launch lug standoffs into place. Ahoy! T' kit included a 1/4 inch lug (can't imagine why)! I replaced that with a 3/16 lug. Well, blow me down! Begad! I now joined t' body tubes. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! I then assembled t' shock cord assembly and glued it into place. Begad! Two parachutes were included. Ya scallywag! An addendum be 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! Avast! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Just slap on t' decals and that's it. I also painted t' lug standoffs and tube joint with purple paint. Begad! 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, ya bilge rat, matey, I have only flown this rocket once so far. Avast! Well, blow me down! T' recommended motors are t' D12-5, D12-7, E9-6, E9-8. Begad! I also saw t' new C11-5 listed for this rocket in t' 2002 Estes Catalog. Well, blow me down! T' hook holds t' motor in place, arrr, but since me hook be missing, me bucko, arrr, 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 be without a doubt an awesome flight. Ahoy! Avast! Very fast lift-off and arrow straight boost t' apogee at 1000 feet or so.

Recovery:
With t' small chute, this rocket appeared t' come down quick, but safe. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I would nay recommend usin' t' 24 inch chute. Begad! Blimey! On an E9 flight, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I would recommend usin' a large streamer. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! Even with a friction fit, 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. Arrr! 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