After holdin' t' Fat Cat's Name This Rocket and Story Contest over this sleek, futuristic lookin' rocket, shiver me timbers, I decided t' purchase one at Fat Cat's special introductory price. Begad! You should check out t' contest stories. Begad! They are great. Fat Cat's decided t' combine t' suggested names from t' top three winners and came up with t' I.P.F.I. Strikeship "Lightning". Ya scallywag! I call it t' Strikeship for short.

Fat Cat Rockets says that they "stock 18 o' t' most innovative, custom rocket kits on t' market" and so far, in t' mid t' high power range, ya bilge rat, I agree. Ya scallywag! T' Strikeship is truly an example o' this. T' kit is currently priced at $44 (as o' July 2003). Ahoy! Ahoy! This may seem like a bit for a rocket, arrr, but compare it t' a straightforward, shiver me timbers, matey, entry-level, mid-power PML IO at $47 or t' another 29mm futuristic bird, t' LOC Delta Strike Fighter at $38, then t' $44 price tag is nay too bad. Arrr! Then look at everythin' you get, and you will even be happier.

T' kit two 12" 29mm tubes and one 7½" long, arrr, 2½" diameter body tube, arrr, two 29mm wooden nose cones, ya bilge rat, pre-cut 1/4" balsa wings, me hearties, 5/32" balsa fins and rudders, arrr, a balsa canopy, ya bilge rat, various dowels, two wooden gunpods, fiber board strips, and nose weight. Ahoy! Avast! T' recovery system is made up o' a steel leader with loop-clips, arrr, 65" o' ½" black elastic stock cord and a 24" rip-stop parachute. Well, blow me down! There are also four plywood centerin' rings , matey, t' 29mm motor tube, shiver me timbers, and launch lugs. Lastly, arrr, t' kit includes some ready-stick decals. Blimey! Avast! T' materials were packed well and are o' high quality.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 6 pages o' 8½ x 11" paper and thar were two additional pages with decal placement and color schemes. Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' instructions had color-coded illustrations that really assist t' builder in seein' t' various parts. Well, blow me down! Arrr! They were in a logical order and easy t' follow. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I did find one mistake, ya bilge rat, right in step 1. Avast! It indicated t' upper centerin' rin' had two holes in it (like their other kits). Avast! When I noticed me upper centerin' rin' did nay have two holes in it, I drilled two holes, only t' fill them in with epoxy later. T' only other enhancement that could be made t' t' instructions is t' cut t' launch lug t' size and angles that match t' lower fins. Blimey! Nay a big deal at all.

T' instructions indicate that you need epoxy and CA, but I used 7 different glues in me build. Check them out. Aye aye! I'm sure epoxy and CA work just fine!

Plan on spendin' a few days assemblin' t' Strikeship. Aye aye! Go ahead, make it a winter project! T' instructions will guide you through nicely, shiver me timbers, however, thar are some unique challenges t' buildin' this rocket. Avast! Begad! As I discuss t' build, I will highlight some o' t' unique areas and challenges.

Like t' Galactic Marauder, arrr, t' rocket is assembled in two sections. Blimey! First t' forward section, arrr, then t' aft.

T' forward section starts by gluin' t' two 29mm body tubes together (I used Elmers Exterior Wood glue). Avast! Then t' provided nose weight (BB's) are glued into t' hollowed out wooden nose cones. Blimey! I split t' BB's in half and filled each nose cone equally. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I then used 15-minute epoxy and keep addin' it until all t' gaps were filled and I had a nice smooth top on each nose cone. T' nose cones are then glued into t' two motor tubes. Aye aye! On t' opposite end o' t' nose cones, arrr, two centerin' rings are attached. Arrr! Both fit perfectly without any sanding.

Next, ya bilge rat, Fat Cat warns, ya bilge rat, "This part o' constructin' t' model can be tricky. Arrr! Take your time and be careful." This be t' placement o' t' fiber boards on t' top and bottom o' t' dual-cone forward section. Arrr! I used Elmers White Glue for this and found that usin' some maskin' tape t' hold everythin' in place was necessary. Begad! Avast! I also allowed t' top t' completely dry before doin' t' bottom. I really didn't have trouble with this step, ya bilge rat, arrr, except that me maskin' tape torn a bit o' t' fiber board surface off. Avast! I ensured t' seams were filled usin' Elmers White Glue and me finger t' ensure I did nay get globs or that t' clean, sharp edge o' t' fiber board was messed up.

To fill t' small gap that is left at t' tip, I used 5-minute epoxy. Avast! I also soaked t' section fiber board that covered t' nose cone with super thin CA t' make it more durable.

T' balsa canopy is glued onto t' top o' this assemble t' finish it up. I used Elmers Exterior Wood glue.

Next, me bucko, t' fins are prepared. T' main win' is made up o' two pre-cut pieces o' 1/4" balsa. T' fins and rudders are pre-cut from 5/32" balsa. Arrr! Blimey! I coated all t' balsa fins with 15-minute epoxy, covered with 24lb printer paper, and pressed betwixt wax paper under a heavy book t' strengthen them (and eliminate t' grain). Ya scallywag! After this was done, I rounded t' corners as instructed and added t' various dowels t' t' wind and rudder edges. I used Elmers Exterior Wood glue t' attach t' main wings t' t' 2.6" body tube.

T' fins and rudders attach directly t' t' main wings and nay t' 2.6" body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Placement is described in detail and you use one o' t' 1/4" launch lugs t' assist in placement. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! I used Liquid Nails Perfect Glue #1 for t' initial attachment. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' gunpods are also glued directly onto t' main wings.

Attachin' t' steel leader cable is a unique step in buildin' t' Strikeship. Begad! You see, this is a rear-ejection system and Fat Cat opted t' attach t' steel leader cable t' t' outside o' t' body tube. Avast! This is done in t' gap betwixt t' body tube and one o' t' lower fins. Arrr! Arrr! Usin' maskin' tape t' make a dam, and then usin' a lot o' 5-minute epoxy, you attach t' leader cable. Begad! (see picture, right side o' body tube)

T' launch lug is attached on t' opposite side betwixt t' body tube and t' other lower fin. Begad! I cut me launch lug so that it be t' same length and used t' same angles as t' lower fin. Well, blow me down! This was nay described in t' instructions, shiver me timbers, arrr, but I think improves t' looks. Aye aye! A notch is made in t' aft o' t' body tube t' allow t' cable t' go inside body. Well, blow me down! Blimey! (see picture, ya bilge rat, arrr, ya bilge rat, left side o' body tube)

T' motor mount is actually built in t' very first step and is straightforward; motor tube and two centerin' rings. Ya scallywag! I added a Rowes Retainer 29mm retainer, as can be seen in t' photos. Arrr! It was very easy t' add.

To finish t' recovery system, matey, t' final loop is put into t' steel leader and t' elastic is tied t' it. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' other end o' t' elastic is tied t' t' motor tube and t' parachute is attached onto t' elastic near t' motor mount.

There is one other section o' assembly that should be mentioned; t' nose strut. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, matey, blow me down! This is only for display only and is designed t' be removable from t' underside o' t' forward section. Begad! It is used t' display t' model so that t' forward section is help up parallel with t' ground. Aye aye! Landin' gear, so t' speak. Aye aye! A nice "extra" touch.

Finishin' this rocket, if you want t' have a nice finish, takes a lot o' work. I had no less than 7 coats o' Plasti-Kote primer on it and various spot work with Bondo Glazing. This is needed for t' roughness o' t' wooden nose cones and cannon pods, t' spirals in t' body tubes, me bucko, t' filled nose tip, t' dowel seams, arrr, and t' various other joints. It is worth t' time for a rocket like this! I didn't use either o' t' two paint schemes that Fat Cat Rockets suggested. Aye aye! Instead I used a metallic light blue automotive paint. Ahoy! I like t' finish.

T' decals are stick-on. I have one complaint on t' "double doors" sticker that you are instructed t' cut in half. T' line t' cut on be t' same thickness as t' outside lines so if you cut on this line you loose t' line that you cut on. Blimey! T' instructions note this and tell you t' cut it in such a manner that makes one set o' doors complete and leaves "open hinges" on t' other. Begad! Blimey! They then say t' use a black pen t' draw in t' missin' lines. Blimey! I hope future decal runs separate them so other builders don't have t' draw in t' lines. Begad! Ya scallywag! Other than that, me bucko, shiver me timbers, I like t' decals and they add a nice look t' t' finished kit. Blimey! T' cockpit decal is cut from a glossy black sticker and placed on t' top and sides.

After I did t' decals and waited 3 days (for dryin' purposes), I did three very light coats o' Clear Coat (Walmart brand). Well, blow me down! Begad! Then one full and heavy coat. Begad! T' 3 days dryin' time and light coats help guard against paint reactions.

Overall, me hearties, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 4 ½ points. Well, blow me down! T' instructions are clear and logical and you certainly get quality parts. Arrr! Everythin' fit on t' kit! No sandin' was required, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, even for t' centerin' rings. Aye aye! T' be consistent, I have t' din' t' kit slightly for nay havin' positive motor retention.... Well, blow me down! I know this is common for mid and high power kits, ya bilge rat, but perhaps t' manufacturers will start addin' it as an option. Also, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I be bothered by that "double door" decal. Avast, me proud beauty! Neither o' these items are that big o' a deal and therefore t' ratin' o' 4½ will still show that this is a solid kit.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Fat Cat Rockets indicate t' Strikeship should weight 20 ounces. Begad! My finished kit weighs 19.4 ounces. Nay bad, ya bilge rat, eh?

Fat Cat instructions only recommended one motor, shiver me timbers, me hearties, t' F50-5 (which they must have meant F50-4). Begad! However, me bucko, shortly after purchasin' it, Fat Cat sent a "correction" e-mail that addressed a couple o' items, me bucko, includin' t' recommended motors. They now say, "T' motor listin' is a suggestion, shiver me timbers, me hearties, F40 t' F62 should work as well with a 4 or 6 second delay".

I planned me first flights o' t' Strikeship. First an F50-4, then an AT RMS F52-5.

Preparation be easy with t' rear-ejection system. Avast! It doesn't require any waddin' either, shiver me timbers, since t' centerin' rings protect t' parachute and shock cord. Begad! I had no trouble gettin' everythin' packed into place. Ya scallywag! I then taped me F50-4 motor, me bucko, me bucko, slid it in and used t' Rowes retainer.

T' first flight be great. Arrr! Don't know if I have any other words that work here. Well, blow me down! It zipped off t' pad, matey, I missed t' shot, well, shiver me timbers, kind of... Ya scallywag! caught t' tail as can be seen. Blimey! Well, blow me down! It be very stable and gave a nice lookin' flight. T' ejection was a bit early, arrr, me hearties, me bucko, too bad AT didn't make that F50-5! Descent was fairly quick. I ran t' catch it and boy did I. Ya scallywag! Right in t' chest. Avast, me proud beauty! Gained a nice little welt from t' win' hittin' me. Ya scallywag! Arrr! After all, it is 20 ounces!

My second flight be on t' RMS F52-5. Avast! Arrr! Another roarin' lift-off and great flight, matey, but t' 5 seemed t' come in at 3 seconds so t' Strikeship still had a good head o' steam when ejection occurred. T' rear-ejection system paid off and allowed t' parachute t' deploy without any zipperin' damage. Ya scallywag! Recovered and it is ready t' fly again! I have one F50 left but need t' find some F52's! I may try an F23, matey, matey, me hearties, G33 or G64.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, shiver me timbers, I would rate this rocket 5 points. It flies great! It is wadless! It recovers great! Nuff said.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 5 points. Fat Cat does produce "unique" kits and this is one o' t' best (to me). Begad! I love t' design and am plannin' a few variations o' it. Ahoy! Aye aye! I will be makin' a 2x24mm cluster motor mount for it and purchasin' two more kits for modifications. Blimey! I'll have an I.P.F.I. Avast! Strikeship fleet. Blimey! This one is nicknamed "Lightning" accordin' t' Fat Cat Rockets. I think I have t' "Tornado" and "Thunder" as well! We'll see.