Art Applewhite Rockets has really become t' U.F.O.-type rocket supplier. Blimey! Ya scallywag! He carries various styles (saucer, delta, arrr, cone, qubits) and various sizes (6", matey, matey, 7.5", shiver me timbers, 9", 10.25", 12") and various patterns (smiley, shiver me timbers, me bucko, shiver me timbers, earth, shiver me timbers, fire, tiger) and lastly motors (micromaxx, matey, mini, 18mm, matey, me hearties, 24mm, 29mm, me hearties, 38mm). Blimey! Ahoy! If you're lookin' for a U.F.O.-type rocket, arrr, arrr, me hearties, then Art Applewhite Rockets be t' place t' start. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! I have t' imagine that he will be workin' on Pyramids soon, as well, since they are along t' same lines.

Okay, so enough o' that, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, t' rocket I bought be t' 6" Flyin' Saucer that flies on 18mm motors with t' Smiley pattern. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! After assembly, this rocket is ready-to-fly without any finishin' work. Avast! That is nice for winter.

T' kit includes an 18mm motor mount, me bucko, 3/32" basswood fin stock, cardstock top and core, a 6" plastic plate, a motor hook, me hearties, thrust rin' and launch lug.

Click t' see me 18mm U.F.O. comparison article

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 4 pages o' 8½ x 11" paper, arrr, with t' fourth page bein' t' plate cuttin' guide. There are illustrations t' ensure a successful build. Blimey! It is a simple rocket t' build, but thar are 25 steps in t' instructions. Ahoy! So from this you can discern that t' instructions are thorough. Ahoy! They are logical and easy t' understand. Begad! T' kit is nay rated as t' a level, matey, shiver me timbers, however, matey, I believe it is a skill level 2.

Assembly is so straightforward that I don't have a whole lot t' say. Begad! Cut out and form t' cone and inner cone. Ahoy! Cut a large circle out o' t' plastic plate. Begad! Cut out t' fins, shiver me timbers, sand them and attach them t' t' motor mount. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! Install t' motor mount. Well, blow me down! All done.

A few more details:

There are optional spin tabs that can be attached t' t' fins t' cause t' rocket t' spin goin' up and down. I choose nay t' do that.

There is a thrust rin' and a motor hook. T' motor hook is held t' t' motor tube with a piece o' cardstock.

Buildin' should be done with white glue with t' exception o' attachin' t' plate t' t' cone. Art Applewhite suggests Elmer's Rubber Cement. Ya scallywag! Begad! I used Hammer Head's Omni-Stick.

Once complete, arrr, me hearties, Art Applewhite suggests clear-coatin' t' Saucer, but I didn't.

Overall, arrr, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Can't get any easier.... Begad! well, I guess t' parts could be pre-cut, me hearties, matey, but come on, we need some challenge. Well, blow me down! Although, maybe Art should consider sellin' some Ready-to-Fly kits!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite Rockets recommends t' B6-0 or C6-0 motors. Arrr! They also recommend supportin' t' rocket at least 6" up t' launch rod t' avoid heat damage.

My finished Saucer weighed in at 0.8 ounces as opposed t' Art Applewhite printed material suggestin' 0.5 ounces. Nay sure why t' difference.

I have flown t' rocket three times, shiver me timbers, all on C6-0's and all in me front yard. T' rocket is fun. Avast, me proud beauty! It flies straight up (at least with no wind) and then flips and descends. I would say is "floats" down as it is rockin' back-and-forth slightly upon t' entire descent.

After each flight, simply pull back t' motor retainer, pull out t' old motor, shiver me timbers, throw in a new, matey, matey, and your flyin' again before t' smoke clears t' pad from t' prior flight. Fast and simple.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 5 points. It is a perfect Flyin' Saucer and t' motor retainer and all makes is simple and fast.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 5 points. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Art Applewhite Rockets has a solid niche market. Begad! Blimey! These things are easy t' build and fun t' fly, ya bilge rat, any where, includin' your front or back yard!