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

Havin' built a few Rocketpad kits, me hearties, I be 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. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' fins are nice quality pre-cut balsa. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! It also comes with a black 12" mylar parachute. Aye aye! T' good length o' 1/4" elastic shock cord is connected t' a Keelhaul®©™® cord that mounts t' t' motor mount. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' centerin' rings are laser cut black fiber and t' motor mount uses a metal motor hook. Well, blow me down! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! You start by assemblin' t' motor mount first and then install it into t' body tube. Well, blow me down! There is a printed fin markin' guide that you place t' body tube over and mark where t' fins are glued on. Begad! I used Elmer's Wood Glue for all assembly. Begad! Begad! T' pre-cut fins just needed a small amount o' sandin' t' get all 4 fins even in size. Avast, me proud beauty! There were picture sheets t' help along t' way with assembly. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' instructions were fine and I had no problem puttin' t' kit together. Avast, me proud beauty! 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 was 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, me bucko, but with 600 sandpaper it ended up nice and smooth. Ahoy! Blimey! I used a couple coats o' sandin' sealer on t' balsa fins t' get a good finish on them. Begad! Blimey! Since I liked t' way t' rocket looked when I got t' kit, me hearties, I painted it all gloss black. I used 3 coats for a bright finish. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' kit has no decals and I don't think it needs any. Begad! Blimey! It looks kind o' mean in all black! Blimey! T' paint filled in t' grooves in t' body tube. Blimey! Blimey! 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, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and D12-7. Aye aye! I used a C11-5 for t' first flight (recommended). T' flight was dead straight and went t' a nice height--I am bad at guessin' height but it be nice nonetheless. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I had loaded up t' rocket with about 4 sheets o' Estes recovery wadding. Ahoy! Packin' t' chute was easy in a BT-55 tube. T' motor retention is with a metal motor hook and was easy t' use. Ahoy! I got brave on t' second flight and used a D12-7. Arrr! A quick lift off and real high flight! With t' long delay, 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. Well, blow me down! T' black parachute is easy t' see on a blue sky. Begad! Avast! Blimey! This rocket has one REAL COOL thing--it almost always lands on t' fins straight up. 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 was from t' ejection charge and wiped off with no problem. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! I have had a total o' 7 launches with this rocket with 6 o' them landin' on t' fins! Blimey! On all launches, matey, matey, 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 was fun and I am happy with it. Blimey! Blimey! I can't get over t' way it lands on t' fins straight up! Blimey! T' mean look and big win' span make this otherwise standard type rocket unique. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! It's also an easy build with t' pre-cut fins.

P.S. Avast! Aye aye! I had forgot t' mention that t' parachute in t' picture o' me review was a replacement. When goin' out for a second time t' launch, matey, I be checkin' out t' 'chute as I always do before a launch and me cat grabed t' nice Black parachute and ripped it (well she was 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