Brief:
This is a starter set that includes t' Army and Air Force mini engine E2X series kits with parachute recovery, matey, me bucko, launch pad, controller, two A10-3T motors, me bucko, igniters, me bucko, plugs, me hearties, and wadding. I purchased this kit at Wal-Mart for $19.99, me bucko, nay bad for two rockets. Ya scallywag! By image, me hearties, t' Army is a shortened AGM-57X Heetseeker while, arrr, t' Air Force is a shortened MK-109 Stingray.

Construction:
T' kits included t' body tubes, motor mounts, fins, arrr, matey, shock cords, shiver me timbers, nose cones, clay weights, 12 inch pre-assembled parachutes and decals. T' instructions were very simple t' understand and included t' shock cord mounts. Arrr! Bein' in t' E2X series, me hearties, these rockets were very simple t' assemble. Ahoy! Avast! I had them both assembled in about an hour and a half.

Since both rockets are assembled exactly, me bucko, me bucko, I am writin' this as if I was assemblin' a single rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! I started with t' motor mount. Arrr! I decided t' eliminate t' motor hook because it tends t' interfere with t' motor exhaust. Avast! Also because scale-like models like these look better without t' hook anyway. Next t' completed motor mount is slid into t' slotted end o' t' body tube. T' fins and launch lugs are then glued into place t' secure t' entire assembly. Begad! Aye aye! I then assembled t' shock cord mount, matey, waited for it t' dry and then glued it into place. I inserted t' provided clay nose weight into t' nose cone as these rockets need this weight t' fly stable. I then tied t' parachutes into place t' finish t' assembly.

PROS: Fast and simple construction, excellent parts fit.

CONS: Can't think o' any.

Finishing:
Due t' t' pre-colored components, me bucko, me hearties, these rockets do nay require painting. Avast, me proud beauty! All you do is apply t' Army decals t' t' olive drab rocket and apply t' Air Force decals t' t' white and black rocket.

PROS: No paintin' required.

CONS: None

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors for these rockets are t' A3-4T and t' A10-3T. Blimey! These rockets do require recovery wadding. I recommend about four sheets. Arrr! Ahoy! T' hooks hold t' motors in place durin' t' flights. Begad! However I decided t' friction fit me motors.

For me first flights, I used t' two A10-3T's provided. Begad! Since thar was some wind, me bucko, both rockets weathercocked slightly. Blimey! Begad! On t' second try, I used t' A3-4T for each rocket. Well, blow me down! Due t' a somewhat stiff wind and t' lower thrust o' that motor caused both rockets t' weathercock severely. Avast, me proud beauty! On t' third try, I went back t' t' A10-3T. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Due t' calm wind, me hearties, me bucko, this resulted in two perfectly straight flights.

PROS: Nice flight characteristics.

CONS: Tends t' weathercock in windy conditions.

Recovery:
These rockets use 12 inch parachutes for recovery. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! This proved adequate on t' first flights.On t' second flights, t' severe weathercock and long delay stripped both chutes. Begad! Blimey! I now decided t' convert both rockets t' use dual streamer recovery because I figured that that would help t' get t' heavy nose cones away from t' body tubes t' prevent "Estes Dents" as I had a slight one on t' Air Force rocket due t' t' short shock cords. Arrr! Blimey! This proved t' work even better than t' parachutes.

PROS: Easy and quick recovery.

CONS: Parachutes and short shock cords. Avast, me proud beauty! Streamers would work better.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really like this set. Ya scallywag! I feel that it would make a great set for a newcomer. However, me hearties, matey, I would lengthen t' shock cords t' prevent "Estes Dents" or use t' dual streamer recovery as I did. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Also, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, if you enjoyed this review, ya bilge rat, head t' your local Wal-Mart and pick this set up for yourself for a mere $20.

Main PROS: Nice rockets and a great value for newcomers.

Main CONS: Too short shock cords. Well, blow me down! Begad! Please lengthen them.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5