Brief: Scale model o' t' Hellfire AGM. Blimey! Blimey! Flies on D-F engines. Recovery by a mylar parachute. Aye aye! Blimey! Very sturdy model.

Construction: T' kit arrived intact, and all parts were present, and in great condition. Blimey! Blimey! T' parts consisted o' a main paper body tube, plastic nose cone, plenty o' 3/32" balsa, pre-cut centerin' rings, launch lug, matey, templates for t' fins, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and supplies for t' mylar parachute, matey, and shock cord.

T' instructions were very easy t' follow, me hearties, ya bilge rat, with good illustrations. Ahoy! T' assembly order was very logical. Well, blow me down! Templates were provided for t' fins and tail cone. Ya scallywag! No decals are provided for this kit.

T' assembly be very straight forward, with no surprises. Ahoy! Fins have t' be cut out usin' t' templates. Blimey! T' only concern be thar was no mention o' where t' place t' launch lug. Blimey! After contactin' T' Launch Pad, shiver me timbers, matey, me hearties, they explained it was left t' t' modelers discretion where t' place t' launch lug. Avast, me proud beauty! (see Special Note below) All t' parts fit together very well, t' provide a very sturdy and attractive kit.

Makin' paper tail cone was nay as hard as I thought it would be. Instructions mention great advise on makin' paper stronger.

T' Mylar parachute was pre-cut, me bucko, matey, and assembly was easy. Arrr! Shock cord is standard, mounted inside t' body tube.

Pros: Easy and fun t' build, me bucko, arrr, no special tools needed.

Cons: None!

Finishing: T' fins are long and narrow, and are easy t' seal No problems with primin' and painting.

Although thar are no decals, matey, matey, t' instructions explain t' markings, arrr, makin' it easy t' make your own. Begad! T' basic color o' t' rocket is olive drab, arrr, with either a black or white nose tip. Paintin' t' tip may be tricky, but it doesn't reflect on t' kit.

Pros: Easy rocket t' finish and paint.

Cons: No decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight: I finally got out t' launch me Hellfire AGM. Ahoy! Blimey! Here are t' results:

On t' first flight (D12-5) t' rocket lifted off slowly, and then t' tail began t' wobble. Ahoy! Begad! Eventually, t' rocket appeared lean over and fly on its side. Well, blow me down! It gave t' impression that t' nose be much too heavy.

On t' second flight (E15-7), t' rocket took off, matey, arced over and crashed at full thrust. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Left a big crater too! Blimey! Destroyed t' rocket.

There are 3 problems I found, all o' which are me fault:

Too much nose weight. Accordin' t' Chuck at TLP, t' nose weight should be 32 grams. Ahoy! Blimey! T' clay that be supplied with t' kit was dry, so I substituted it with me own. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' nose weight is mentioned in t' instructions, and it is needed t' have stable flights. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I didn't weigh t' supplied nose weight, and t' actual amount o' weight I put in t' nose

Mis-aligned guidance fins. I attached t' guidance fins accordin' t' t' instructions. Aye aye! Ahoy! I checked t' alignment with t' aft fins and I used a common fin markin' guide. Begad! I marked lines t' full length o' t' body where t' forward and aft fins are t' be attached. Begad! Begad! After inquirin' t' Chuck, arrr, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, he said t' this be t' most unlikely cause o' t' rocket accident. Arrr! T' fins were nay noticeably mis-aligned, me hearties, arrr, but I thought o' every possibility.

Too much wind t' launch. T' wind conditions on t' launch day was betwixt 15 and 20+ MPH. Avast! Well, blow me down! Other rockets flown that day were slightly affected by t' weather. Larger rockets (Initiator, shiver me timbers, me bucko, Mirage) displayed more effects due t' t' wind than t' smaller ones (Big Dawg, Yellow Jacket). Well, blow me down! T' launch rod was angled betwixt 15 and 20 degrees from vertical.

I would conclude that t' rockets demise be due t' me impatience in construction (nose weight), and launchin' when t' wind conditions were too strong for this specific rocket. I will take me time with me next Hellfire.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary: This rocket is extremely fun and easy t' build. Begad! Ahoy! It is one o' t' most attractive in me fleet. This rocket is great addition t' any fleet.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5