This starter set contains an Estes Port-a-pad, a Launch Controller, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, three engines, matey, and two rocket kits; t' Goliath and t' Spitfire. Arrr! Everythin' comes packaged in plastic bags inside a cardboard box you can use as a light-duty field-box. 

T' Port-a-pad must be assembled, a trivial job, and then stickers applied t' it and t' launch controller. Ya scallywag! Blimey! You will need t' buy 4 AA batteries for t' controller. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! T' pad and controller are basic, but good enough t' do t' job. 

T' Goliath is an E2X kit, which is Estes for ‘almost ready t' fly’.  It's a big, matey, hefty rocket, matey, perfect for younger fliers. Easily built usin' plastic model glue, matey, matey, t' body tubes are precolored, and you get black plastic fins and nose cone. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! My 9 year old daughter built hers in a couple hours, shiver me timbers, matey, with most o' t' time spent waitin' for glue t' dry. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! You'll definitely get a better lookin' model if you take a little time with some fine sandpaper t' smooth flash lines on t' plastic pieces.  Be sure t' test-fit parts together before gluing, because t' overall t' fit is good, arrr, but some assemblies can be a little intricate. Begad! Blimey! T' diagrams in t' instructions are very good, me hearties, and followin' them will help you build a better model. One step where you definitely need t' ignore t' directions be t' shock cord mount. I recommend usin' a regular Estes paper mount up near t' nose cone (like t' Spitfire) instead o' tyin' it t' t' coupler crosspiece, right in t' path o' t' ejection charge.  Always recommended is t' replace t' supplied shock cord with a piece o' sewin' elastic at least twice t' body length. Avast! Blimey! I do like t' twist-on motor mount. Twist off, insert engine, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and twist on for positive retention. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Big stick-on decals complete t' rocket. 

T' Goliath does ok on B engines, matey, but a C will give a much more satisfyin' flight. 

T' second kit in t' set be t' Spitfire, a Beta (beginner) level rocket.  Small and quick, matey, it makes a nice contrast t' t' Goliath. Avast, me proud beauty! T' design suggests a space-fighter with forward-swept fins and canopy and winglets molded into t' plastic nose cone. T' fins are die-cut balsa.  T' balsa in our kit was broken in half, arrr, but along t' die-cut lines so thar was no damage t' t' fins themselves. This rocket takes a little more craftsmanship and care t' assemble. You'll need white or yellow glue for construction, and replace t' shock cord as mentioned for t' Goliath. Begad! Finish with spray paint and t' stick-on decals, arrr, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and you've got a fun rocket. 

This rocket screams on a C engine, shiver me timbers, arrr, probably too much for small fields. 

Overall, me bucko, this is a very good starter set. You can occasionally find a package offerin' a $5.00 rebate from Estes, makin' this even better.

Ratings:
Construction:             4 (Estes shock cords are too short!) 
Flight/Recovery:      4  (Good fliers, but you have t' be careful with engine selection) 
Overall:                     4