Description: Single staged 10.5mm motor (1/4 A through A in Apogee motors) rocket that is a minute scale model o' t' V2. Arrr!

Pros and cons o' construction: All parts specified were thar and undamaged. I got t' kit less than a week after I ordered it, and it was securely packed in styrofoam popcorn in a strong postal box. Begad! Avast! T' nose cone is solid lightweight balsa wood. Blimey! T' tail cone is also balsa, shiver me timbers, with a 10.5mm bore predrilled t' accept t' 10.5mm motor tube. T' body tube and motor tube are spiral wound paper. Blimey! Arrr! T' launch lug is plastic and is for 1/8 inch rods. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! The streamer is 17 inches o' 1 inch wide plastic. T' fins are die cut balsa.

Instructions are clear, illustrated and logical. You also get a historical essay on t' original V2, ya bilge rat, and how its capture from t' Germans helped our space program.

Assembly be easy and quick. Aye aye! You do have t' align t' 4 fins, arrr, but that's not hard. Begad! Arrr! T' shock cord is thin Keelhaul®©™®-like strin' o' 20 inches in length. Avast! It fits into a plastic bead that glues into t' hole predrilled into t' base o' the nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! Me, I prefer screw-eyes, shiver me timbers, but this seemed t' work fine. Also, if you've seen me other reviews, then you know that I have a thin' for stretchy shock cords, me hearties, too. But this one worked without a hitch. I attached it into the forward centerin' rin' in t' motor mount. White glue was used for assembly, but epoxy was used t' glass up t' fins and make them durable. Ahoy! It was also used to glass and smoothen t' nose cone. Aye aye! Well, arrr, blow me down! Yellow spray paint was used as a primer. Begad! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I was about t' apply green, shiver me timbers, when me cat, shiver me timbers, arrr, ya bilge rat, Freeway, grabbed t' rocket and ran with it. Ahoy! I decided, after findin' it again, arrr, t' fly it as is.

Pros and cons o' finishing: A simple paint job is enough. Ahoy! I chose t' glass t' fins out o' personal preference. Ahoy! Avast! It's also a habit from high power rocketry. Blimey! A green camouflage paint job will be applied this week, me bucko, even though me cat likes it yellow. Begad! Maybe green will make me lose it! At least yellow is easy t' find. Well, blow me down!

Ratin' for construction and finishing: 4 out o' 5

Pros and cons about flight: Apogee recommends their 1/4 A through A line, namely t' 1/4A2-2 or 4, ya bilge rat, 1/2A2-2 or 4 and t' A2-3 or 5 . T' shorter delays are recommended if it's breezy. Blimey! Blimey! Me, me hearties, I used an A2-5, as it was a still day t' likes o' which only Phoenix can achieve. Arrr! Blimey! T' prep time was just seconds. Arrr! Blimey! A pinch o' worm bed waddin' and maskin' tape t' retain t' motor and it be ready. And t' Apogee igniters fit right into t' motor. Arrr! Blimey! T' flight was fast. Blimey! Blimey! A FWIT sound and it be gone, high and straight. Avast! Blimey! Good thin' it was yellow or else I'd have lost it for sure. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I luckily saw t' streamer. Blimey! Blimey! Maybe an itsy bitsy parachute would increase hang time and help me find it next time. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Knowing my luck, though, I'll catch a thermal. Ahoy! Blimey!

Pros and cons about recovery: (17" streamer) It was easy t' assemble. Ya scallywag! It worked just fine, arrr, without any damage or burnin' t' the rocket.

Ratin' o' flight and recovery: 4 out o' 5

Anythin' this kit taught me: Keep your kits away from your pets. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Blimey! More seriously, I learned about t' history o' t' real V2. I enjoyed that. Blimey!