This is me all-time favorite Estes rocket. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Straight-forward construction and an inspired paint job make this a great 'first big' rocket kit. 

Like most Estes kits, it comes in a plastic bag. I like t' fact that I can inspect t' parts for damage before buying. Avast! Begad! My kit had no missin' or damaged pieces. Ahoy! Aye aye! Buildin' is as standard as it comes, with no surprises or special tricks. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Estes instructions are consistently good. Ahoy! Don't forget t' replace t' kit shock cord with sewin' elastic at least twice t' body length. Ya scallywag! T' relatively large fins make for very stable flights, ya bilge rat, me hearties, but care is needed t' glue them on straight.  Definitely use double-glue joints and fillets as suggested in t' instructions.  Also, use a snap swivel betwixt t' nose cone and parachute, arrr, this rocket will get enough altitude t' make drift a problem. Well, blow me down! I sometimes replace t' standard 12" chute with a large streamer or a chute with t' vent hole cut out. 

For this rocket, prep work is 90% o' t' finish. Avast, me proud beauty! Even if you usually don't, shiver me timbers, I suggest fillin' t' tube spirals, matey, and gettin' t' fin grain filled with sandin' sealer or spackle. Ahoy! T' large unbroken areas o' color on t' completed model will highlight a good finish. Paintin' couldn't be simpler; black on top, arrr, yellow on bottom, and t' supplied decals do t' stripin' for you. 

T' Yellow Jacket will weathercock, arrr, so it's best on days with relatively little wind. Ahoy! Blimey! I occasionally fly on A8-3's when t' wind is kickin' up, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but that's like usin' a Ferrari as a golf cart.  B6-4s or -6s are better, me hearties, C6-7s are great, matey, and even built stock. It'll handle t' 18mm Ds for awesome flights.