Brief:
This is an up-scale o' t' old classic Starlight from t' 1960's. Arrr! It flies on 29 or 38mm motors with adaptors provided. Begad! Begad!

Construction:
Picture seen is after cuttin' out all t' fins and strakes. Arrr! Blimey! Kit includes:

• 4 Large ¼" thick balsa sheets for fins and strakes
• 2 Rings for fins
• 2 Body tubes
• Coupler
• Balsa nose cone
• 38mm motor tube
• 29mm adaptor assembly
• Ejection Baffle
• Other sundry components
• Instructions and templates
• A parachute is NOT included

There are lots o' surfaces t' sand and miles o' fillets t' do. Arrr! Arrr! This is nay a weekend job but only requires moderate buildin' skills. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' first thin' I did was t' cut out all t' fins. You need t' take your time and use a sharp knife with a long straight edge because t' wood is so thick. Begad! T' key here is accuracy. Avast, me proud beauty! Inaccurate cuts will make t' build tough as t' components will be difficult t' fit together. Ahoy! Avast! A little patience and extra effort here will pay of later. Well, blow me down! Note: I left all t' fin edges square. Ya scallywag! This made it easier t' paint later and is how t' original kit from t' 60's be built. Ya scallywag!

I then very liberally sealed t' edges o' t' tube fins with CA. The cardboard rings were on t' rough side. Preppin' t' rings took some effort but nothin' too difficult.

I deviated from t' kit by installin' small rail buttons on t' rings. Well, blow me down! The kit contains two sets o' different size large launch lugs. But because I have rails, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I felt that it was a better way t' go.

One minor thin' I didn't like about t' instructions be that in t' body of t' text it calls out part numbers. Aye aye! It says t' “Glue a CR-16-11-1/2 to each end." What t' hell is a CR-16-11-1/2? You can figure out what each part is durin' t' build but it can become annoying. Begad!

Finishing:
T' kit is even harder t' paint that in appears. Arrr! I don't use sandin' sealer, arrr, matey, so several coats o' primer be needed t' seal all t' wood. Because thar be so much surface area, two cans o' primer were required. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' white paint coat be t' most difficult. Blimey! Gettin' a good coat o' paint on t' ID o' t' rings, and t' area where t' rings meet t' strakes was difficult at best. Aye aye! Several coats and patience is mandatory here. Well, blow me down!

T' paint all t' edges red would have required endless hours o' tedious masking. I cheated by paintin' t' edges with a Uni-Paint paint pen. Begad! Because the edges were left square, t' paint pen technique actually came out pretty good.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' motors are held in place usin' t' maskin' tape friction fit method. Blimey! Arrr! I have done this on countless rockets so thar be nothin' new here.

T' kit comes with a nice elastic shock cord but no parachute. Begad! I chose a 30" nylon chute o' t' Aerotech variety.

T' first flight was on a G38 7. This was a bit weak for t' rocket, but a good flight. Blimey! Arrr! This be also t' last flight for me. Begad! Begad! A 12 year old kid thought that t' rocket be t' coolest thin' he ever saw so I gave him t' rocket. Begad! It was an excellent opportunity t' spark a kid's imagination and pay forward.

Recovery:
T' delay was a bit long, but t' laundry came out and recovery was fine

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a moderately difficult kit t' build. If you like up-scale rockets but are afraid t' design your own, this be t' kit for you. Begad! It's guaranteed t' turn heads at every launch.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
Read t' directions! Blimey! I got ahead o' myself and missed a step. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' kit is designed t' have t' shock cord attach t' t' aft end o' t' rocket with a cord runnin' from t' aft centerin' up t' t' nose cone/BT joint. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Blimey! This is t' avoid breakin' t' fins on landing. Ahoy! Blimey! I got way ahead o' t' instructions and built it the conventional way. Once I realized what I had done, it was too late. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I anticipate repairin' lots o' fins. Hind sight is 20/20. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I should have put the rings on after everythin' was painted. Arrr! Blimey! T' instructions mentioned that as an option. You may want t' consider that when buildin' yours. Aye aye! Blimey!