Brief:
T' Estes Cosmos Mariner is a 1:67 scale version o' t' Lone Star Space Access team rocket plane for t' X-Prize. Well, blow me down! It is a single stage D12-3 power glider with pop-pod on 18" parachute recovery.

Construction:
1 main body tube with 24mm pop-pod insert. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' pop-pod have centerin' rings that fit t' body tube and 4 heavy washers for nose weight on boost. Blimey! Flat wing glider is made from 6 laser cut win' panels. Begad! There are also 4 fins (rudders). T' rest o' t' body is made from two large vacuumed form sheets o' plastic. There are three display engine nozzles that come off for flight.

T' instructions are easy t' follow and t' illustrations are good. Avast, me proud beauty! You must have a good flat surface t' build t' wing. Ahoy! T' win' consists o' 6 large sections o' balsa, me bucko, ya bilge rat, 3 for each half o' t' glider wing. It is very important to have all pieces glue together flat. Avast! Avast! T' hardest part was gluin' on t' two vacuum form body sections. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' body sections didn't fit t' assembly well. The instructions call for usin' a silicon adhesive. Begad! I used GE Silicone II. Begad! You have to wipe away any excess glue as you cannot sand it later. Aye aye! Begad! I be nay impressed with t' glue joint. Arrr! If I had t' do it again, I would use a thick super glue for plastics.

Finishing:
No special requirements for finishing. T' balsa wings need a lot o' sanding sealer t' get smooth. Blimey! Aye aye! T' paint scheme is easy. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! There are a few stick on type decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' only recommended motor be t' D12-3. Aye aye! Well, arrr, blow me down! T' model boosts nicely with a slow roll durin' boost. Ya scallywag! It is important when flyin' t' make sure that t' elastic that pops up one elevator is attached well and when t' pop-pod is inserted, the movable elevator is facin' t' opposite direction o' t' glued on elevator. This is what rolls t' model durin' boost. Avast! Avast! Once t' pop-pod ejects, ya bilge rat, t' movable elevator pops up t' get t' plane into glide configuration. This glider is hard to balance. Arrr! Well, matey, blow me down! Even with glider at t' specified balanced point, me bucko, t' glider stills stalls in flight. Avast! Begad! It is hard t' test glide it since it a fairly heavy glider. It will take quite a few flights t' trim out t' glider. Ya scallywag! One person mentioned to me that even though it be stalling, me hearties, it was one o' t' best glides he seen out o' this kit.

Recovery:
I flew this model as a entry in SF/FF event at NARAM 48. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! On t' first flight, the parachute on t' pop-pod got tangled in t' wire hook on t' back o' the pop-pod and never really opened, me bucko, so it came streamin' into t' ground. Blimey! T' RSO DQed t' flight as unsafe. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! T' pop-pod with all those washer is very heavy, matey, so it is important safety wise t' make sure t' chute will always open. On the second flight, I got rid o' t' Estes supplied chute and use a nylon chute of the same size. Ahoy! Begad! I also shortened t' shroud lines and taped them t' t' pop-pod way from t' wire hook in t' back so thar be no chance o' them snaggin' on the wire. Begad! On t' first landing, both wings cracked down t' win' grain o' the balsa t' a point outside t' lower rudders. This was repaired with super glue and flown again. Ya scallywag! Admittedly t' ground at NARAM was hard packed and thar was no grass t' cushion t' landing. Well, blow me down! I am sure landin' on macadam or concrete would also be very bad for this glider, so avoid flyin' it near paved areas.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I like this glider even thought it is on t' heavy side. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Most o' t' glider seems right on except for t' back where t' engine goes. Aye aye! Avast! On t' picture on the package, it has t' engine sittin' inside t' three display nozzles, however, when you build it, arrr, t' display nozzles come off and leave an ugly gap where the body wrap doesn't quite fit around t' body tube. Begad! Aye aye! I am guessin' t' original plan was t' have t' display nozzles and backin' on t' pop-pod for flight but was given up durin' t' kit release. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! I think it is possible t' grind out the display backin' t' fit t' pop-pod with t' display nozzles but that is somethin' for another time.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5