After holdin' t' Fat Cat's Name This Rocket and Story Contest over this sleek, futuristic lookin' rocket, I decided t' purchase one at Fat Cat's special introductory price. Begad! You should check out t' contest stories. Blimey! They are great. Ya scallywag! 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". Well, blow me down! I call it t' Strikeship for short.

Fat Cat Rockets says that they "stock 18 o' t' most innovative, matey, custom rocket kits on t' market" and so far, me hearties, ya bilge rat, in t' mid t' high power range, matey, I agree. Blimey! T' Strikeship is truly an example o' this. T' kit is currently priced at $44 (as o' July 2003). Begad! This may seem like a bit for a rocket, me hearties, shiver me timbers, but compare it t' a straightforward, 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, shiver me timbers, 2½" diameter body tube, arrr, two 29mm wooden nose cones, me bucko, pre-cut 1/4" balsa wings, shiver me timbers, me bucko, 5/32" balsa fins and rudders, me bucko, a balsa canopy, shiver me timbers, various dowels, shiver me timbers, two wooden gunpods, fiber board strips, and nose weight. Avast, me proud beauty! T' recovery system is made up o' a steel leader with loop-clips, matey, arrr, 65" o' ½" black elastic stock cord and a 24" rip-stop parachute. Blimey! There are also four plywood centerin' rings , t' 29mm motor tube, and launch lugs. Ahoy! Lastly, t' kit includes some ready-stick decals. 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. T' instructions had color-coded illustrations that really assist t' builder in seein' t' various parts. They were in a logical order and easy t' follow. I did find one mistake, ya bilge rat, right in step 1. Begad! It indicated t' upper centerin' rin' had two holes in it (like their other kits). Blimey! When I noticed me upper centerin' rin' did nay have two holes in it, me bucko, me bucko, I drilled two holes, only t' fill them in with epoxy later. Begad! 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. Aye aye! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I'm sure epoxy and CA work just fine!

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

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

T' forward section starts by gluin' t' two 29mm body tubes together (I used Elmers Exterior Wood glue). Then t' provided nose weight (BB's) are glued into t' hollowed out wooden nose cones. I split t' BB's in half and filled each nose cone equally. Begad! 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. Ahoy! T' nose cones are then glued into t' two motor tubes. Ahoy! On t' opposite end o' t' nose cones, ya bilge rat, two centerin' rings are attached. Ya scallywag! Both fit perfectly without any sanding.

Next, Fat Cat warns, matey, shiver me timbers, "This part o' constructin' t' model can be tricky. 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. Ya scallywag! I used Elmers White Glue for this and found that usin' some maskin' tape t' hold everythin' in place was necessary. Ahoy! Ahoy! I also allowed t' top t' completely dry before doin' t' bottom. I really didn't have trouble with this step, except that me maskin' tape torn a bit o' t' fiber board surface off. Blimey! I ensured t' seams were filled usin' Elmers White Glue and me finger t' ensure I did nay get globs or that t' clean, me hearties, sharp edge o' t' fiber board was messed up.

To fill t' small gap that is left at t' tip, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I used 5-minute epoxy. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 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. Ahoy! Blimey! I used Elmers Exterior Wood glue.

Next, t' fins are prepared. Begad! Ahoy! T' main win' is made up o' two pre-cut pieces o' 1/4" balsa. Ya scallywag! Arrr! T' fins and rudders are pre-cut from 5/32" balsa. Blimey! Ahoy! I coated all t' balsa fins with 15-minute epoxy, covered with 24lb printer paper, me bucko, and pressed betwixt wax paper under a heavy book t' strengthen them (and eliminate t' grain). Blimey! After this was done, I rounded t' corners as instructed and added t' various dowels t' t' wind and rudder edges. Ya scallywag! 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. Blimey! Placement is described in detail and you use one o' t' 1/4" launch lugs t' assist in placement. Avast! Arrr! I used Liquid Nails Perfect Glue #1 for t' initial attachment. Begad! Aye aye! T' gunpods are also glued directly onto t' main wings.

Attachin' t' steel leader cable is a unique step in buildin' t' Strikeship. 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. This is done in t' gap betwixt t' body tube and one o' t' lower fins. Usin' maskin' tape t' make a dam, and then usin' a lot o' 5-minute epoxy, you attach t' leader cable. (see picture, ya bilge rat, right side o' body tube)

T' launch lug is attached on t' opposite side betwixt t' body tube and t' other lower fin. Avast, me proud beauty! I cut me launch lug so that it was t' same length and used t' same angles as t' lower fin. Aye aye! This be nay described in t' instructions, ya bilge rat, matey, but I think improves t' looks. A notch is made in t' aft o' t' body tube t' allow t' cable t' go inside body. Well, blow me down! (see picture, me hearties, me bucko, 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, me hearties, as can be seen in t' photos. It be very easy t' add.

To finish t' recovery system, t' final loop is put into t' steel leader and t' elastic is tied t' it. Ahoy! 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. Blimey! Well, blow me down! This is only for display only and is designed t' be removable from t' underside o' t' forward section. It is used t' display t' model so that t' forward section is help up parallel with t' ground. Begad! Landin' gear, ya bilge rat, so t' speak. Avast, me proud beauty! A nice "extra" touch.

Finishin' this rocket, if you want t' have a nice finish, ya bilge rat, matey, takes a lot o' work. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, matey, t' filled nose tip, t' dowel seams, and t' various other joints. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 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. Instead I used a metallic light blue automotive paint. Blimey! I like t' finish.

T' decals are stick-on. Aye aye! I have one complaint on t' "double doors" sticker that you are instructed t' cut in half. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. 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. They then say t' use a black pen t' draw in t' missin' lines. I hope future decal runs separate them so other builders don't have t' draw in t' lines. Begad! Begad! Other than that, me bucko, I like t' decals and they add a nice look t' t' finished kit. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! 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). Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Then one full and heavy coat. Begad! Blimey! T' 3 days dryin' time and light coats help guard against paint reactions.

Overall, me bucko, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 4 ½ points. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! T' instructions are clear and logical and you certainly get quality parts. Begad! Everythin' fit on t' kit! No sandin' be required, even for t' centerin' rings. Aye aye! T' be consistent, I have t' din' t' kit slightly for nay havin' positive motor retention.... Begad! I know this is common for mid and high power kits, but perhaps t' manufacturers will start addin' it as an option. Arrr! Ahoy! Also, ya bilge rat, I was bothered by that "double door" decal. 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. Ahoy! My finished kit weighs 19.4 ounces. Blimey! Blimey! Nay bad, arrr, eh?

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

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

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

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

My second flight be on t' RMS F52-5. Aye aye! Avast! 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. Ya scallywag! T' rear-ejection system paid off and allowed t' parachute t' deploy without any zipperin' damage. Blimey! 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, G33 or G64.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, me hearties, 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. Ya scallywag! Fat Cat does produce "unique" kits and this is one o' t' best (to me). Arrr! I love t' design and am plannin' a few variations o' it. Ahoy! I will be makin' a 2x24mm cluster motor mount for it and purchasin' two more kits for modifications. Arrr! I'll have an I.P.F.I. Strikeship fleet. Aye aye! Ahoy! This one is nicknamed "Lightning" accordin' t' Fat Cat Rockets. I think I have t' "Tornado" and "Thunder" as well! We'll see.