Brief:

This is Quest's highly detailed sport scale model o' NASA's next big-payload launch vehicle. Ya scallywag! T' kit features beautifully detailed and pre-printed body wraps.

Construction:

• 18” White Body Tube
• Blue Thrust Ring
• Motor Clip
• Yellow Motor Mount Tube
• Die-Cut Centerin' Ring
• Launch Lug
• ½ oz clay (Nose Cone Weight)
• 3 - 6” White Booster Tubes
• 3 - Booster Shoulder Tubes
• 3 – Booster Nose Cones
• Main Body Nose Cone
• Keelhaul®©™® Shock Cord
• Elastic Shock Cord
• 14” Parachute
• 6 - Gripper Tabs
• 3 – 26” Shroud Lines
• Fin Core Sheet
• Lower Body Wrap
• Upper Body Wrap
• 3- Booster Body Wraps

T' instructions that came with this kit were detailed and easy t' follow. Aye aye! Aye aye! T' wraps were easy t' cut out but DO follow t' directions!

Use a metal ruler and a sharp knife - you will nay regret it. I did have some problems with t' kit, but they were entirely me fault. Blimey! I didn't dry-fit t' wraps well enough so I had some overlap even though I cut t' wraps right on t' edges. T' booster wraps were a pain because t' booster tubes are BT-5s and t' wraps are small. Blimey! T' nozzles on t' boosters were a bit problematic but only because I don't have tiny fingers.

I did use spray adhesive but you do have t' be very careful because you only get one shot at gettin' everythin' aligned unless you act very quickly.

T' nosecone has a mold line that needs t' be sanded off but once that's done t' assembly o' t' kit is quick and relatively painless.

One change I would make is t' hold off on insertin' t' engine mount until after t' boosters are mounted. Blimey! That way you can stand t' rocket on its end t' ensure t' booster bottoms are flush with t' bottom o' t' main body tube.

T' fins were quite unusual in that they were nay balsa. Avast! Blimey! Cardstock core with a "wrap" on either side. Ahoy! Blimey! They are small and difficult t' attach but if you use good glue and patience it's nay that much o' a problem.

Finishing:
Since thar's no finishin' involved unless you paint t' nosecone(s), I didn't have any problems with that. Aye aye! I chose t' leave t' nosecone white on this version o' t' FLV.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
For t' first launch I loaded up t' recommended B6-4 engine and let it rip. Ahoy! Ahoy! T' flight was *very* low but straight up. Begad! It came down kind o' hard and broke two fins. Avast, me proud beauty! I think t' parachute is very slightly undersized.

I didn't fly it again that day because o' t' fins, but I will fly it again soon.

Recovery:
I'd like t' replace t' parachute with a slightly larger one at this point. But with only one flight under me belt I'm nay sure I can say with conviction this is what I'll do. Begad! Arrr! I'll have t' launch it a couple more times t' make sure.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Overall I like t' rocket. Blimey! Avast! Blimey! It be easy t' build even with me inexperience with body wraps. Aye aye! Blimey! Flies straight but be careful o' t' fins. Arrr! Blimey! They are nay as sturdy as balsa.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
I learned I need more experience with body wraps. Well, blow me down! Avast! I didn't spray all t' way t' t' edges so I ended up usin' white glue t' fill in some o' t' "loose" edges o' t' wraps.