Brief:
Single staged 3FNC Payload rocket with nice fin design. This kit has been recently discontinued by Estes.

T' Nova Payloader was originally introduced in 1986 as a Skill Level 2 (and in me opinion, it should stay a Skill Level 2 because o' t' fins). Avast! It was then discontinued t' first time, me bucko, 10 years later at t' end o' 1996. It remained absent for a few years until sometime in t' early 2000s where it reappeared as a skill level 1. Durin' it's second coming, Estes released the Super Nova Payloader, arrr, a larger, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, me hearties, more powerful version. But unfortunately, arrr, shiver me timbers, both were dropped from Estes' lineup at t' end o' 2004. At t' writin' o' this review, matey, thar are probably a few left at some hobby shops, arrr, shiver me timbers, so grab them while you can if you want one.

Construction:
T' rocket came in a typical plastic bag with a paper face-card and contained:

• 1 BT-50 Body Tube
• 1 Payload Tube equivalent t' a BT-50
• 1 Sheet o' Balsa
• 1 18mm Engine Mount for BT-50 Body Tubes
• 1 Launch Lug
• 1 PNC-50 Nose Cone
• 1 Cardboard Ring
• 2 Transitions
• 1 Sheet o' Decals

T' instructions were very easy t' follow and this is a pretty simple build. I had almost no problems assemblin' t' rocket. T' only challengin' part was gluin' t' 2 fin pieces together. It would've been a lot easier if Estes had made t' fins one piece.

Finishing:
I went with t' stock look, red body tube and fins and white nose cone. The decals were peel n' stick and went on nicely.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
My Nova has only flown once. I flew it at NIRA's August 2005 club launch and it flew very nicely on an A8-3. Avast! T' Nova Payloader uses about 4-5 sheets of recovery waddin' and can handle just about any 18mm motor. Begad! Avast! Just be sure t' use a short delay when carryin' a payload.

Recovery:
T' Nova uses a usual Estes 12" parachute and elastic shock cord which brings it down at a normal speed. T' 4-5 sheets o' waddin' work well and there was no wear or burning.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a pretty decent little rocket. It's really nothin' special, shiver me timbers, but would be perfect for night launches.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5