T' Multi Operations Missile (M.O.M.) kit is me second kit from Model Minutes and includes two rockets (note: t' Minute in Model Minutes is nay pronounced "min'it" like t' time unit, shiver me timbers, but rather "mie nuet" like somethin' small). Arrr! Aye aye! Blimey! Both rockets are t' same with t' exception o' t' color pattern. Ahoy! One is colorful with red, blue, ya bilge rat, yellow and white, while t' other is a camouflage finish in various greens.

Model Minutes is good about includin' a story on their kits and here it is for t' M.O.M.: "T' performance o' this model will surprise you. Ahoy! In spite o' its advanced aerodynamic design it is easy t' assemble. Each kit includes two rockets: one civilian rocket and one military rocket. Blimey! Ahoy! Double your fun and t' altitude you can reach with this very stylish rocket. Begad! Used jointly by t' scientific and military communities this long range missile allows both t' study o' destruction o' comets and meterorites in order t' protect t' earth. Avast! Operations which are sometimes carried out almost simultaneously." [instantaneously?]

T' M.O.M. Arrr! Blimey! kit came packaged orderly in an 9x11 plastic zip-lock bag. It included t' two rockets printed on three (3) 8½ x 11" card-stock pages each. Also included was t' extra parts need t' assemble and support t' card-stock rocket. These parts include ¼" foamboard that is used for t' nose cone shoulder, matey, baffle, ya bilge rat, and centerin' rings. Ahoy! Blimey! A piece o' household drinkin' straw is provided for t' launch lug. There is a wire motor retainer and a piece o' thread that is used with t' motor retainer. In addition, arrr, a silver Mylar parachute, shroud lines and a rubber band shockcord are provided for t' recovery system. Clay for t' nose weight is also included. All parts were doubled t' allow t' buildin' o' t' two rockets.

Lastly, thar be a set o' 3D glasses that you assemble t' read t' instructions. Avast! Somethin' unique t' Model Minutes kits.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 9 pages o' 8½ x 11" paper. T' primary feature o' t' instructions are color 3D pictures. They can be viewed without 3D glasses well enough, me hearties, me hearties, however, with t' included 3D glasses (assembly required) you can add depth t' your buildin' experience. T' instructions are clear, especially with t' support o' 54 color pictures! One o' t' main detractors from t' instructions o' me other Model Minutes kit, t' Space Racer, was t' translation from French t' English. Begad! This be nay much o' a problem with these instructions. Well, blow me down! I don't even remember a confusin' spot. Begad! Blimey! T' instructions include a page on how t' balance (check stability), me bucko, how t' build a launch pad, launch controller, and then t' launch sequence. You will need your standard rocket buildin' tools, includin' a sharp hobby knife. Aye aye! I used Elmer's White Glue for assembly. Arrr!

After assemblin' t' 3D glasses you're ready t' go.

Assembly is relatively simple. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' fins are first and once cut out are simply folded in half and glued t' create t' finished fin. Arrr! Ahoy! Blimey! I followed t' instructions and placed them in a book (protected with wax paper) after gluing. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! I still did nay get straight and stiff fins. Ahoy! Avast! Blimey! Much like me experience on Model Minutes Tricarrow me fins where a bit wavy.

T' body tube requires two sections t' make up t' length. Ahoy! T' first section is supported by a stiffener-baffle that is cut from t' 1/4" foam board. Ya scallywag! Then a paper coupler is attached. Arrr! T' upper tube is slid into t' paper coupler. Well, blow me down! This gives you 12 inches o' body tube.

T' motor mount is then assembled from card-stock, thread and t' wire thrust/ejection retainer. I really like this wire design. Blimey! T' wire inserts into two holes and extends into t' tube t' act as a motor thrust stop. Begad! Aye aye! It then over hangs t' act as motor retention. Begad! Aye aye! T' wire is "strapped" t' t' motor tube by wrappin' a black thread around and around and around it. Once wrapped it is soaked with glue. Well, me hearties, blow me down! It made for a good strong motor tube. After this two 1/4" foam centerin' rings are added.

T' motor mount is installed and then a boat tail is added t' t' rocket. Ahoy! T' boat tail comes down t' t' end o' t' motor tube and requires two slits t' be cut in it t' allow t' retention wire t' bend out for insertin' and removin' motors.

T' nose cone is assembled from two different cones t' give it a unique shape. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Clay is added for nose weight. Arrr! Blimey! A piece o' 1/4" foam is used as t' shoulder. Begad! Ahoy! I would have liked t' see two or three pieces stacked since just t' one made t' shoulder so small. An eye-screw is then screwed into t' foam t' attach t' rubber band shockcord and parachute. T' other end o' t' shockcord is attached t' t' inside o' t' body tube usin' t' 3-fold paper method.

Next, matey, t' parachute is assembled usin' maskin' tape t' make t' corner tabs and t' nylon thread provided for t' shroud lines. Well, blow me down! Blimey! This is then tied t' t' eye-screw on t' nose cone.

To finish t' rocket, arrr, t' fins are attached and a launch lug is added.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 3 points. Ya scallywag! Begad! After buildin' three "free" paper models and t' Model Minutes' Space Racer I've come t' expect certain things in paper-building. As far as t' kit goes, very nice. Ahoy! Blimey! T' instructions are solid especially with all t' pictures. Begad! Blimey! T' issues are t' double-over fins and t' short rubber-band shock cord. Begad! Blimey! I also didn't like t' 1/4" short nose cone shoulder. T' motor tube and retainer are great.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Model Minutes recommends t' C6-3 or t' C5-3 motor for t' M.O.M. rockets. Begad! I didn't choose one o' these. Instead I used a B6-4 for its first flight.

Even though thar be a baffle t' instructions recommend usin' wadding. Avast! So I inserted several sheets o' Estes wadding. Well, blow me down! Then loaded t' motor. Blimey! With t' Model Minutes motor retention wire, me hearties, loadin' and unloadin' is a breeze. Arrr! I really like this method.

Had a successful launch on t' B6-4. Begad! Blimey! T' flight was stable. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! There be some movement which I believe is induced by t' fins nay bein' perfectly flat (straight). Ya scallywag! Blimey! I was able t' follow t' rocket all t' way t' apogee and t' 4 second delay was good. Begad! Blimey! If you are goin' t' use a C6, matey, I would use a C6-5 verses t' C6-3 recommendation.

Ejection produced t' silver mylar parachute and t' descent rate was good. Aye aye! Unfortunately t' wind carried t' rocket over some trees and I be unable t' see where is landed (or not) and t' rocket be lost. Begad! Blimey! So, I only got t' 1 flight.

All would nay be lost though, me hearties, arrr, because t' kit comes with two rockets. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! I'm nay actually goin' t' build t' second one and am sharin' it with a fellow rocketeer t' get another opinion on this kit.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, me bucko, I would rate this rocket 4 points. T' single flight be stable and on t' B6 gave a nice small field (football field size) flight. T' recommended motors would seem t' have too short o' a delay. Well, blow me down! Avast! T' parachute is sized right for descent, arrr, matey, but I have no way o' knowin' how well that short rubber band shock cord will hold up.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 ½ points. Begad! Ahoy! It isn't a "free" rocket, arrr, ya bilge rat, but gives t' builder a "paper building" experience. T' kit is about $10 USD and gives you enough supplies t' build up two rockets. Avast! Blimey! I think that is a fair price considerin' you get t' nose weight, shiver me timbers, me bucko, parachute, matey, wire retainer, me bucko, me bucko, etc. T' design is nice lookin' with t' unique two-piece nose cone and t' boat tail. It is big for a paper rocket too. Avast, me proud beauty! Standin' 19" tall and havin' a 1.5" diameter. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr!

For t' "experience", me hearties, which is why I chose this rocket, matey, you should give it some consideration. Model Minutes have some other interestin' rockets and they can all be purchased on a CD so that you can print your own templates. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I didn't want t' scuttle t' additional loot t' do that, arrr, but perhaps for a school teacher...