Brief:
This be t' Launch Pad's scale Sidewinder AIM-9L missile model. Begad! This is a mid-power rocket with a parachute recovery. Ahoy! Aye aye!

Construction:
This kit comes with balsa planks, two body tubes, a plastic nose-cone, centerin' rings, and all other standard kit pieces. It also comes with putty for nose-cone weight. Blimey! T' shock cord be simple elastic, shiver me timbers, which was a bit inadequate for this great model. There are also lots o' other small balsa shapes, and dowels for t' construction.

I found t' kit straight forward, ya bilge rat, and this was me first non-Estes rocket. Ya scallywag! And, arrr, I wont work on anythin' less challengin' again! T' instructions are lengthy, but when followed carefully will make for an enjoyable project. Begad! I followed other reviewer's tips. When I built t' stringers for each side o' t' fin, arrr, arrr, I put them on at an angle and drilled holes for more realism.

I read that t' balsa supplied from TLP is soft, arrr, and followed their advice o' coatin' with CA. Avast! Still, shiver me timbers, after launching, matey, me hearties, this is still too soft and I have had some fin damage. Avast, me proud beauty! I will repair usin' paper over t' balsa, me bucko, then coatin' for CA, me bucko, and see if that holds. Blimey! I do think t' forward fins need some reinforcement.

All in all, construction was straight forward. Arrr! Blimey! Lots o' small details make this fun. Note: I have nay modeled since I was a kid, and did nay find this too challenging.

Finishing:

As with all TLP models, arrr, arrr, me hearties, no decals, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, but that is ok. Well, blow me down! Avast! I painted usin' simple primer coats, shiver me timbers, and testors spray paint. See pictures for t' finish. I also looked at as many pics as I could find and found a few small details like paintin' t' forward guidance pivots red. Blimey! I love t' way t' model looks and I have received lots o' compliments.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Flew this model only once so far. Blimey! Launched in a slight wind in San Francisco at t' base o' t' Golden Gate Bridge. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Used t' recommended D12-3 motor. Ahoy! Used small amount o' wadding.

Fox 2! Weathercocked only slightly. Begad! Flew beautifully and straight. Begad! Chute deployed at apogee. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Chute got tangled on forward fin, me bucko, but had some resistance on decent.

Recovery:
I increased t' length o' t' shock cord, with a round, me bucko, black piece o' elastic. Love t' look and functionality. Begad! Aye aye! However, me hearties, as mentioned, arrr, me bucko, t' chute got tangled somehow. Well, blow me down! T' first ever recovery malfunction I have had with any rocket I own. Well, blow me down! Consequently, I had some slight fin damage on t' forward fins.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I love this rocket. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! It was fun t' build, shiver me timbers, and t' fly. It be t' best looker in me arsenal o' democracy. Well, blow me down! I love this company and their kits and have built more and will continue t' do so.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
I would reinforce t' forward fins. Ya scallywag! Might even try and find some light plywood. Ahoy! At t' very least, I might try t' technique o' overlayin' tissue or 20 lb paper and CA that over t' balsa. Aye aye! Other than that, would nay change a thing.