Brief:

One stage scale model o' t' US Space Shuttle, shiver me timbers, LPR with 18" parachute

Construction:

T' model comes with 3 body tubes t' construct t' booster rockets that the shuttle rests on, numerous vacuum formed plastic parts and a sheet o' balsa. Aye aye! Arrr!

Most other parts are standard, ie motor mounts, lugs, arrr, ya bilge rat, me bucko, centerin' rings etc.

Lets start with t' Cons:

• Instructions are in both german and english however they are set out so that you follow a step by step guide o' pictures with a separate booklet of what t' do.This makes buildin' slightly more lengthy as you have t' always have two sets o' instructions out t' know what t' do.
  
• T' vacuum formed parts are made from cheap plastic that needs a great deal o' time and care spent on it t' perfect t' final look, however its well worth t' time
  
• My kit had a part missin' nothin' big just a strengthenin' rin' made of cardboard easily simulated by other materials lyin' about anyones house, however t' web site for Das is nay in english and
  has no number t' call.
  
• Finally t' decals were slightly out o' date and an off white colour. Ahoy! Begad! Blimey! Also they were stickers like most these days. Aye aye! Blimey! BRING BACK TRANSFERS!

Pros:

• A challengin' and worthy build
  
• Better final product than that o' t' Estes space shuttle and o' better value for money
  
• Great fly, unfortunately t' pictures i took did nay come out however it flies well!

Finishing:

Finishin' needs special attention if t' desired final product is that o' a scale space shttle. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It needs undercoatin' a few times, and lots o' gloss to make it look good. Well, blow me down! Avast! Blimey!

T' balsa needs attention too because it needs t' be 'closed' before spraying. Ya scallywag! T' rocket boosters need t' be painted and detailed before being stuck together somethin' t' instructions do nay pick up on. Begad! This can cause glue showin' on t' final product if care is nay taken.

T' shock cord although better than Estes needs t' be replaced as does the parachute however for successive flights this is normal on most rocket kits.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:

It flies well with its add in fins similar t' that provided for t' Estes Mercury Atlas rocket. T' boosters come down safely via parachute and the glider desends fast and safely, arrr, if nay a little steep! However this is probably a build issue on me behalf and nothin' manufactured.

I have only flown it once and so cannot comment too much but it all came down safely and undamaged which is always nice! It was flown on D12-3 motors!

Recovery:

As mentioned before, me bucko, replacement o' parachute and shock cord makes for a better recovery and ease o' another flight with minimal damage t' t' recovery system

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:

A good rocket for a confident and good builder, balsa is nay laser cut and has t' be templated and cut out manually which adds t' t' fun o' makin' it in my opinion! A challengin' and fun build.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5