Brief:
Mini Engine Starter Set. Begad! Comes with a "Space Bus" bullet style rocket, and a "Space Hauler" Jayhawk style rocket. Ya scallywag! Also included is a mini launch pad, Electron Beam launch controller, matey, two A10-3T motors with igniters, plugs, and wadding.

Construction:
T' rocket kits each feature two body halves, a nose cone, matey, nose cone base, plastic launch lug, motor tube, shiver me timbers, motor hook, shiver me timbers, overlap tube, shock cord, shiver me timbers, arrr, half width streamer, shiver me timbers, and clay. Blimey! T' launch pad has three plastic legs that snaps into t' base. Blimey! Aye aye! T' launch rod is a shorter version o' their two piece rod. It twist-locks onto t' base, ya bilge rat, which is unique. Arrr! T' pad also features an adjustable stand off t' adjust t' height o' t' rockets on t' pad. T' launch controller be t' standard launch controller that Estes includes in all o' their starter sets.

Since both rockets are similar, I wrote this like I was writin' about one rocket. Ya scallywag! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Construction starts with t' motor mount, which goes together like any other motor mount in other Estes kits. Begad! Begad! T' only difference be t' motor tube is shorter than normal. Clay is added t' t' nose cones before t' base is glued on. T' shock cord is attached by tyin' a double knot in one end, and feedin' t' other through a tab on one o' t' body halves. Begad! Then t' motor tubes are glued t' one o' t' halves, and t' halves are glued together. Avast, me proud beauty! T' Space Bus be t' easiest t' build. Blimey! Begad! T' Space Hauler parts did nay fit perfectly, matey, and maskin' tape had t' be used t' align t' parts together. Blimey! Final assembly is accomplished by attachin' t' molded launch lug piece t' t' rocket and attachin' t' streamer. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! There is one gotcha though... Well, blow me down! Plastic cement does nay stick very well t' t' plastic. Try t' find a glue that does stick. Well, blow me down! I used regular plastic cement, shiver me timbers, and that proved t' be a problem later. This is why I gave it a ratin' o' two.

Finishing:
T' parts o' t' rockets are pre-colored, me hearties, so no paintin' is required. Begad! Begad! T' details on t' Space Hauler is screened on, me bucko, arrr, arrr, but t' Space Bus use stock on decals. Begad! Alignment o' t' decals is nay a problem because you can use t' mold lines as guides. When all is done, shiver me timbers, me bucko, these rockets look like McDonald Toys (Cool Idea ... Ya scallywag! Rockets in every Big Kids Happy Meal! :-)). Ahoy! Aye aye! They are so cute!

Construction Rating: 2 out o' 5

Flight:
Loadin' t' Space Bus and Space Hauler be t' same as any other Estes rockets. Ya scallywag! T' Space Hauler uses one piece o' wadding, but t' Space Bus works best with two pieces. Begad! Both rockets fly with 1/4A through A motors. Well, blow me down! T' motor hook gets in t' way o' t' exhaust path. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! This caused both rockets nay t' have a straight flight.

Recovery:
This is where all t' cons add up. Ya scallywag! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! With t' Space Hauler, t' glue's inability t' bond t' plastic caused t' rocket t' blast into its basic pieces durin' t' ejection o' t' 1/4A3-3T motor used. Ahoy! T' Space Bus held together, but I figured that t' better fittin' parts and t' decals held it together. Avast, me proud beauty! My Space Bus was lost after a flight with a A10-3T because o' t' motor hook. Aye aye! T' rocket veered into t' woods next t' me house.

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

Summary:
These rockets are cute, matey, arrr, and worth t' effort and price if you do two things ... Blimey! Arrr! Use a glue that sticks t' t' plastic used, and trim t' motor hook so it does nay get in t' way o' t' motor exhaust.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5