Brief:
This is a very nice simplified version o' Art's Original Flyin' Saucer rockets which flies great and can be launched on a wide variety o' 24mm motors.

Construction:
I ordered Art's 24mm 'Flames' Delta and included in t' kit is:

• One sheet o' cardstock t' make up t' top/bottom shrouds and shroud tabs.
• One pre-marked 7" piece o' foamboard t' make up t' center plate.
• One 24mm motor mount.

This was me first Art Applewhite build and although t' construction techniques are somewhat different from a 4FNC rocket, they are quite easy t' master. Begad! Begad! T' components are top quality and t' instructions very thorough with no obvious gotchas so that even complete rocketry novices should have no problems constructin' this rocket.

Firstly, t' top and bottom shrouds are cut out from t' provided cardstock and t' provided shroud tabs are glued into place. After cuttin' out t' holes for t' launch rod and motor mount, each shroud is then formed by gluing each respective side on t' t' tabs.

T' center plate is then made up by cuttin' along t' pre-marked outer line with a sharp X-Acto knife. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! It is a good idea t' make this cut with a progressively deeper series o' cuts rather than tryin' t' cut through in one hit. After cuttin' out t' pre-marked holes for t' motor mount and launch rod, shiver me timbers, matey, a shallow cut is applied t' t' pre-marked inner line t' facilitate ease o' cuttin' t' form a 30 degree beveled edge which will enable t' top shroud t' mount to the center plate. Ya scallywag! T' beveled edge is then done by cuttin' at a 30 degree angle along t' outside bottom edge t' the above mentioned shallow cut. Be sure t' use a fresh X-Acto blade for this as a blunt blade will prevent a clean cut bein' made and could possibly damage t' foamboard. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Once formed, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, I sanded t' beveled edge smooth with 180 grit sandpaper.

T' top shroud is then glued into place on t' beveled edge and t' glue then allowed t' dry. Glue is then applied t' t' center plate's motor mount hole and t' motor mount pushed into place through t' bottom until t' top slightly projects past t' top o' t' shroud. Ahoy! Once t' glue be dry, matey, I then applied glue fillets where t' motor mount meets t' top shroud and center plate. T' bottom shroud is then glued into place after which I applied glue fillets to where t' bottom shroud and center plate meet and t' where t' motor mount and bottom shroud meet. Begad! Ya scallywag! Durin' this whole process, shiver me timbers, it is imperative that all three launch rod holes are aligned with each other.

Art recommends that only white glue be used durin' construction so I used Selley's PVA throughout.

Finishing:
This rocket is a cinch t' finish with t' only finishin' technique recommended by Art bein' an application o' clear coat paint t' protect t' cardstock from moisture for which I applied a single coat o' Tamiya Clear acrylic.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
This rocket is designed t' be launched usin' a 3/16" launch rod.

T' first flight was with a D12-3 (friction fitted) with which I was nay familiar and upon launching, me hearties, t' motor ejected itself through t' top under power which thankfully left t' rocket undamaged bar some soot on t' top shroud. Ditto that for t' second flight.

After liberal use o' maskin' tape on another D12-3, me hearties, shiver me timbers, t' third launch was successful with t' rocket takin' off slowly and merrily with lots o' noise and smoke t' t' amusement o' spectators. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ditto that for t' fourth flight.

Recovery:
Recovery is a cinch due t' t' rocket employin' aerobrake (tumble) recovery and is especially amusin' t' watch if usin' a motor with an ejection charge as ejection will cause t' rocket t' spin end over end durin' descent. Blimey! Blimey! As a consequence, t' rocket also recovers quite close t' t' launch pad which makes this rocket ideal for use in 5-10mph windy conditions.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is one heck o' a great rocket for flyin' in small fields which can be built in an hour or two then flown on the same day. Arrr! Begad! Once built, t' rocket is surprisingly robust and I managed t' obtain fourteen awesome flights with this rocket till a malfunctionin' D11-P caused t' rocket t' CATO. Avast! I have since flown other UFO rockets supplied by Art and cannot recommend his products highly enough.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5