I recently received an A. R. Begad! V. Well, blow me down! Condor as a gift from me wife. T' A. Aye aye! Arrr! R. Well, blow me down! Avast! V. Condor is an Estes Explorer series rocket (Intermediate level). Avast, me proud beauty!  

This kit be packaged in plastic and came in a box and be probably around $15. Arrr! Blimey! 99. Arrr! Blimey! All t' parts were included and none were damaged. Ahoy!   T' instructions were typical Estes and were excellent. Avast! Blimey! T' special feature o' this rocket is at apogee two gliders fall off and spiral t' t' ground. Aye aye! Blimey! T' kit contains a plastic streamer for t' main body section and balsa fins, plastic nose cones and body tube sections for t' two gliders, along with all t' other standard Estes hardware.

T' rocket is a little over 15 inches in length and rather bulky with t' gliders hangin' off it. Begad! Maximum C engine power with t' package mount. Begad!  

Followin' t' instructions your first challenge is t' assemble t' gliders, matey, what a treat. Avast, me proud beauty! Four hands for this process would be helpful. Begad! Blimey!   Gluin' t' balsa win' parts at t' proper angle usin' t' balsa cutouts provided was quite a balancin' feat. Ahoy! I have no killer suggestions at this point except PATIENCE and after you get t' first one setup t' second one goes easier. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! It is important t' have accurate line transfers from t' paper jig provided in t' instructions t' t' glider body sections or you will have problems later fittin' t' gliders onto t' main section.   I then test glided each o' t' gliders and noticed they were nose heavy. Arrr!   I then put some modelin' clay (provided with t' kit) in t' aft o' t' gliders t' lift t' nose and hopefully improve performance.

T' main body section is fairly simple with a traditional engine mount. Avast!   T' glider mounts require a sharp knife and patience t' cut them into t' proper sections. Ahoy! Test fit t' glider mounts before you glue them on, ya bilge rat, arrr, ya bilge rat, I had some excess on t' top mount halves, but cut off too much. Ya scallywag! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down!   I now have a gap betwixt t' two top halves. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It kind o' spoils t' look. Avast! Be sure t' follow t' instructions for linin' up t' glider mounts other wise you will have take off problems.

Estes included a rubber shock cord with this rocket and standard Estes paper mount.

I rate construction o' this rocket a 4, pull your hair out challengin' t' build, but satisfaction when you're finished. Arrr!  

I be in a hurry t' launch so I didn't even primer t' rocket.   When I got t' t' launch site I also realized I be in such a hurry I forgot t' launch lugs. Luckily Chris another member o' SPAAR NARRRRR Section 503 had some extra launch lug and CA. Ahoy! (Thanks Chris. )  I used a B6-4 because I wanted t' see t' whole process o' ejection and gliders. It's good t' be at a club launch or have friends around since thar are three pieces t' find. Ahoy! All three pieces landed rather close together. Avast, me proud beauty! My glider angles were tight and steep. My glider angles were tight and steep. Begad! More weight in t' aft o' t' gliders? Chris suggested smearin' some clay on t' left win' tips, sorry Chris that made it worse.

I rate flight a 4. Blimey!   Once I get t' trim right it will be a 5.

I recently finished paintin' and applied t' decals t' t' Condor and it is a beautiful bird. Aye aye! Overall I rate this kit a 4.