I recently received an A. Avast, me proud beauty! R. Arrr! V. Condor as a gift from me wife. Ahoy! T' A. Avast! R. Ahoy! V. Well, blow me down! Condor is an Estes Explorer series rocket (Intermediate level). Ahoy!  

This kit was packaged in plastic and came in a box and be probably around $15. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! 99. Aye aye! All t' parts were included and none were damaged.   T' instructions were typical Estes and were excellent. T' special feature o' this rocket is at apogee two gliders fall off and spiral t' t' ground. Begad! Ahoy! T' kit contains a plastic streamer for t' main body section and balsa fins, arrr, arrr, plastic nose cones and body tube sections for t' two gliders, ya bilge rat, along with all t' other standard Estes hardware.

T' rocket is a little over 15 inches in length and rather bulky with t' gliders hangin' off it. Maximum C engine power with t' package mount. Ahoy!  

Followin' t' instructions your first challenge is t' assemble t' gliders, what a treat. Begad! Ahoy! Four hands for this process would be helpful. Begad!   Gluin' t' balsa win' parts at t' proper angle usin' t' balsa cutouts provided was quite a balancin' feat. Blimey! Ya scallywag! I have no killer suggestions at this point except PATIENCE and after you get t' first one setup t' second one goes easier. It is important t' have accurate line transfers from t' paper jig provided in t' instructions t' t' glider body sections or you will have problems later fittin' t' gliders onto t' main section. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down!   I then test glided each o' t' gliders and noticed they were nose heavy. Avast! Ahoy!   I then put some modelin' clay (provided with t' kit) in t' aft o' t' gliders t' lift t' nose and hopefully improve performance.

T' main body section is fairly simple with a traditional engine mount. Begad!   T' glider mounts require a sharp knife and patience t' cut them into t' proper sections. Well, blow me down! Test fit t' glider mounts before you glue them on, me hearties, I had some excess on t' top mount halves, but cut off too much. Ahoy!   I now have a gap betwixt t' two top halves. It kind o' spoils t' look. Begad! Be sure t' follow t' instructions for linin' up t' glider mounts other wise you will have take off problems.

Estes included a rubber shock cord with this rocket and standard Estes paper mount.

I rate construction o' this rocket a 4, pull your hair out challengin' t' build, shiver me timbers, but satisfaction when you're finished. Aye aye!  

I be in a hurry t' launch so I didn't even primer t' rocket. Avast! Blimey!   When I got t' t' launch site I also realized I be in such a hurry I forgot t' launch lugs. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Luckily Chris another member o' SPAAR NARRRRR Section 503 had some extra launch lug and CA. Begad! Blimey! (Thanks Chris. Avast! Blimey! )  I used a B6-4 because I wanted t' see t' whole process o' ejection and gliders. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It's good t' be at a club launch or have friends around since thar are three pieces t' find. All three pieces landed rather close together. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! My glider angles were tight and steep. My glider angles were tight and steep. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! More weight in t' aft o' t' gliders? Chris suggested smearin' some clay on t' left win' tips, sorry Chris that made it worse.

I rate flight a 4. Avast!   Once I get t' trim right it will be a 5.

I recently finished paintin' and applied t' decals t' t' Condor and it is a beautiful bird. Blimey! Overall I rate this kit a 4.