Brief:
T' Estes X-Flyers is a kit in t' “Launchables“ series which contains two easy-to-build pre-decorated model rockets. Arrr! Alex, age 10 at t' time, me bucko, built both rockets in under ten minutes each without adult assistance.

Construction:
T' two rockets are referred t' in t' kit as “X-Flyer #1” and “X-Flyer #2.” X-Flyer #1 is 15.25” long. It uses a 9.25” BT-20 for t' main airframe and has a nose cone composed o' a BT-5 nose cone, body tube, me hearties, shiver me timbers, matey, and a tube adapter. Well, blow me down! X-Flyer #2 is 15” long, and uses a BT-20 body tube. Both rockets use plastic 4-fin fin cans and divide t' BT-20 into two sections, me bucko, which are joined by a plastic coupler with an integral shock cord mount and launch lug.

T' Estes instructions are clear and easy t' follow. Aye aye! For both rockets, matey, matey, ya bilge rat, t' first step is t' attach t' fin can to the lower section o' BT-20. T' fin can includes a molded slot t' fit around t' engine hook. T' coupler betwixt the upper and lower sections o' BT-20 includes a short launch lug that lines up with another launch lug on t' fin can. Inside is a molded plastic anchor for t' shock cord, ya bilge rat, which is a great improvement over t' traditional tri-fold paper mount.

On X-Flyer #1, shiver me timbers, t' nose section is a three-piece assembly consistin' o' a BT-5 nose cone, matey, arrr, a 3” length o' BT-5, ya bilge rat, and a tube adapter with a shock cord anchor at t' small end. Begad! #2 uses a standard plastic BT-20 nose cone.

Both rockets use a pre-assembled 12” parachute which is tied t' t' shock cord 1” from t' nose cone. Blimey!

They are very easy t' build, thanks t' mostly easy steps. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' only hard part is pullin' t' shock cord through into t' retainer and puttin' t' cap on t' retainer.

Finishing:
There really is no finishin' t' do. Well, blow me down! Begad! All parts are pre-colored and t' body tubes have printed graphics. Arrr! Ya scallywag! #1 is dark blue and black with yellow graphics, and #2 is yellow with a medium blue nose cone and fins.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
We flew both rockets on A8-3 motors on clear days with light winds. Avast, me proud beauty! Both boosted straight t' an impressive altitude. Aye aye!

Recovery:
X-Flyer #1’s parachute worked effectively despite a small burn hole, me bucko, and t' rocket was recovered undamaged. Ya scallywag! On the first flight o' X-Flyer #2, arrr, t' parachute be fused together by t' ejection charge, arrr, arrr, and it never deployed. Ahoy! The damaged chute acted as a streamer, and t' rocket was recovered otherwise undamaged. Ahoy! Avast! Alex replaced t' parachute with a streamer for later flights. Aye aye! On t' second try, shiver me timbers, t' streamer worked perfectly.

Given that these are minimum diameter BT-20 rockets, it seems odd that Estes would use a parachute instead o' a streamer. Avast, me proud beauty! Many o' Estes’ other kits o' similar size, like t' Hi-Flier, use a streamer. Begad! T' sturdy plastic fin cans can certainly stand up t' t' slightly harder landing, and thar be less chance o' t' rocket driftin' away on the wind. Well, blow me down!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' X-Flyers are good beginner rockets that are easy t' build yet attractive. Avast! They are among Alex's favorites.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5