Description: Single staged 10.5mm motor (1/4 A through A in Apogee motors) rocket that is a minute scale model o' t' V2. Arrr!

Pros and cons o' construction: All parts specified were thar and undamaged. Avast, me proud beauty! I got t' kit less than a week after I ordered it, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and it was securely packed in styrofoam popcorn in a strong postal box. Begad! T' nose cone is solid lightweight balsa wood. T' tail cone is also balsa, matey, with a 10.5mm bore predrilled t' accept t' 10.5mm motor tube. Ahoy! T' body tube and motor tube are spiral wound paper. T' launch lug is plastic and is for 1/8 inch rods. Begad! The streamer is 17 inches o' 1 inch wide plastic. Ya scallywag! T' fins are die cut balsa.

Instructions are clear, illustrated and logical. You also get a historical essay on t' original V2, and how its capture from t' Germans helped our space program.

Assembly was easy and quick. You do have t' align t' 4 fins, me hearties, but that's not hard. Ahoy! T' shock cord is thin Keelhaul®©™®-like strin' o' 20 inches in length. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Blimey! It fits into a plastic bead that glues into t' hole predrilled into t' base o' the nose cone. Ahoy! Me, I prefer screw-eyes, but this seemed t' work fine. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Also, if you've seen me other reviews, then you know that I have a thin' for stretchy shock cords, too. But this one worked without a hitch. Blimey! I attached it into the forward centerin' rin' in t' motor mount. White glue was used for assembly, but epoxy be used t' glass up t' fins and make them durable. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! It be also used to glass and smoothen t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! Yellow spray paint was used as a primer. I was about t' apply green, when me cat, Freeway, me bucko, grabbed t' rocket and ran with it. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Blimey! I decided, matey, matey, after findin' it again, t' fly it as is. Aye aye! Blimey!

Pros and cons o' finishing: A simple paint job is enough. Avast! Aye aye! I chose t' glass t' fins out o' personal preference. Begad! It's also a habit from high power rocketry. Begad! A green camouflage paint job will be applied this week, ya bilge rat, matey, even though me cat likes it yellow. Well, blow me down! Maybe green will make me lose it! At least yellow is easy t' find. Avast, me proud beauty!

Ratin' for construction and finishing: 4 out o' 5

Pros and cons about flight: Apogee recommends their 1/4 A through A line, arrr, namely t' 1/4A2-2 or 4, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, 1/2A2-2 or 4 and t' A2-3 or 5 . Arrr! T' shorter delays are recommended if it's breezy. Avast! Me, me bucko, matey, I used an A2-5, matey, me hearties, as it be a still day t' likes o' which only Phoenix can achieve. Ahoy! T' prep time was just seconds. Begad! A pinch o' worm bed waddin' and maskin' tape t' retain t' motor and it was ready. Aye aye! Arrr! And t' Apogee igniters fit right into t' motor. Arrr! T' flight was fast. Avast! A FWIT sound and it was gone, me bucko, high and straight. Avast, me proud beauty! Good thin' it be yellow or else I'd have lost it for sure. I luckily saw t' streamer. Ahoy! Maybe an itsy bitsy parachute would increase hang time and help me find it next time. Avast! Knowing my luck, though, I'll catch a thermal. Arrr! Begad!

Pros and cons about recovery: (17" streamer) It was easy t' assemble. Avast! Ya scallywag! It worked just fine, without any damage or burnin' t' the rocket. Avast, me proud beauty!

Ratin' o' flight and recovery: 4 out o' 5

Anythin' this kit taught me: Keep your kits away from your pets. More seriously, me bucko, me bucko, I learned about t' history o' t' real V2. Blimey! Blimey! I enjoyed that. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!