Brief:
This is a single stage 24mm motor powered model rocket kit that is rated skill level 2. Begad! It uses a 12" parachute for recovery, arrr, arrr, ya bilge rat, features a needle point lookin' plastic nose cone, and pre-cut balsa fins.

Havin' built a few Rocketpad kits, arrr, I was drawn t' this one because o' t' large win' span (19.5"). It also looks mean in all black (and even comes with a black parachute!).

Construction:
T' kit uses one standard BT-55 body tube and a needle nose plastic nose cone. Begad! T' fins are nice quality pre-cut balsa. Blimey! It also comes with a black 12" mylar parachute. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' good length o' 1/4" elastic shock cord is connected t' a Keelhaul®©™® cord that mounts t' t' motor mount. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' centerin' rings are laser cut black fiber and t' motor mount uses a metal motor hook. Arrr! T' parachute uses a snap swivel for attachment t' t' nose cone molded eye.

I received this kit in late September and assembled it so I could fly it before t' weather went too cold. Blimey! You start by assemblin' t' motor mount first and then install it into t' body tube. Avast! Ahoy! There is a printed fin markin' guide that you place t' body tube over and mark where t' fins are glued on. Well, blow me down! I used Elmer's Wood Glue for all assembly. T' pre-cut fins just needed a small amount o' sandin' t' get all 4 fins even in size. Avast! Ahoy! There were picture sheets t' help along t' way with assembly. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' instructions were fine and I had no problem puttin' t' kit together. Aye aye! This kit would be easy for any one t' assemble without t' instructions if they were a BAR--like me! There were no CONs in t' assembly o' t' kit and be fun t' put together since it went smartly thanks t' t' pre-cut fins.

Finishing:
I had t' get rid o' some mold lines on t' nose cone first, but with 600 sandpaper it ended up nice and smooth. Ya scallywag! Begad! I used a couple coats o' sandin' sealer on t' balsa fins t' get a good finish on them. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Since I liked t' way t' rocket looked when I got t' kit, I painted it all gloss black. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I used 3 coats for a bright finish. Begad! Avast! T' kit has no decals and I don't think it needs any. Blimey! It looks kind o' mean in all black! T' paint filled in t' grooves in t' body tube. Arrr! I have included a picture o' t' Nitewin' with me very old Alpha from way back when t' show t' size o' t' rocket.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors are C11-5, D12-5, and D12-7. I used a C11-5 for t' first flight (recommended). Aye aye! Begad! T' flight was dead straight and went t' a nice height--I am bad at guessin' height but it was nice nonetheless. Begad! I had loaded up t' rocket with about 4 sheets o' Estes recovery wadding. Ahoy! Packin' t' chute be easy in a BT-55 tube. Begad! Blimey! T' motor retention is with a metal motor hook and be easy t' use. Arrr! I got brave on t' second flight and used a D12-7. Avast! A quick lift off and real high flight! With t' long delay, me hearties, ya bilge rat, it had a good coast (because o' t' pointed nose cone?) and popped out t' parachute at just t' correct spot.

Recovery:
T' recovery on all flights was fine. I did have t' walk a bit t' where it landed when I used t' D motor though. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' black parachute is easy t' see on a blue sky. Begad! Blimey! This rocket has one REAL COOL thing--it almost always lands on t' fins straight up. Blimey! Blimey! T' nose cone did stick into t' ground but that's because t' field was soft after rainin' t' day before. T' white powder on t' body tube be from t' ejection charge and wiped off with no problem. I have had a total o' 7 launches with this rocket with 6 o' them landin' on t' fins! Blimey! On all launches, me hearties, t' rocket had no damage except for a small nick on one fin when it landed on a sharp rock.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This Rocketpad kit be fun and I am happy with it. Begad! I can't get over t' way it lands on t' fins straight up! T' mean look and big win' span make this otherwise standard type rocket unique. Begad! Begad! It's also an easy build with t' pre-cut fins.

P.S. Avast, me proud beauty! I had forgot t' mention that t' parachute in t' picture o' me review was a replacement. Begad! When goin' out for a second time t' launch, matey, I was checkin' out t' 'chute as I always do before a launch and me cat grabed t' nice Black parachute and ripped it (well she be havin' fun!)! Have t' cut her nails! It did work fine t' first time out! Rocket eatin' cat? hmmmmm!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5