Brief:
High power single stage rocket with motor ejection based recovery.

Construction:
T' kit contains 3 body tubes, 2 couplers, matey, 4 pre-beveled birch plywood fins, 2 centerin' rings, me bucko, PML nosecone, launch lugs, 1 plywood bulkhead, ya bilge rat, me hearties, nylon strap, matey, shiver me timbers, 2 attachments for strap, 2 quick links, arrr, motor retainer, arrr, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, motor tube. Begad! Avast! I added the optional baffle system and Aero Pack motor retainer and upgraded t' surplus military 66" chute.

T' tubes are what t' manufacturer calls shockwave tubes. Arrr! These are non-coated, strong 3.9" tubes. Well, arrr, blow me down!

T' kit went together very well. Ya scallywag! T' kit instructions were clear and in proper order. T' tubes that RDS uses soak up epoxy and CA like a sponge. I have nay seen a tube that takes this stuff so well and makes for an extremely strong bond. T' tubes came pre-slotted and marked for launch tubes. Well, blow me down! The couplers have a .5" inch spiral groove around t' perimeter that i found to enhance t' epoxy bond. Begad! I did go with Acme conformal rail guides rather than the lugs sent with t' kit as me club uses rails rather than rods. Avast, me proud beauty! No special tools were needed for t' kit and i used 30 min epoxy for construction. Blimey! Arrr! The only modification I made was t' add an additional centerin' rin' t' sandwich between t' fins. Begad! Arrr!

Finishing:
T' tubes also take a lot o' paint. Ya scallywag! T' first coat should be a filler primer which causes t' tubes t' fuzz up. Begad! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Sand that off and apply another coat and sand. Continue till t' fuzz stops. Begad! Blimey! T' tube is sealed at that point. Then fill the spirals. Begad! Ahoy! Blimey! It bonds better and goes on smoother at that point. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! No decals came with t' kit but I made me own.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I shot it on an AeroTech I211W-S for me level one cert flight.. Blimey! It flew absolutely straight with no rotation. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' delay o' 6 seconds be perfect as it arrived at apogee and t' charge blew. Begad! It drifted down about picture perfect. T' baffle system worked as advertised--no scorch marks were found on t' chute or shock cord. T' next flights were on a J350W-M for me level 2 cert flight and an I285R-S just for fun, both o' which were just as nice. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' Aero Pack retainer and 54-38mm motor adapter worked like a dream. Aye aye! They are very strong, robust, and lightweight. Begad! I can nay wait t' shoot a 54mm in it next. Ahoy!

Recovery:
T' shock cord was nylon strap, t' chute was a white mil surplus 66 inch chute that I dyed crimson red for contrast. Blimey! No damage t' t' rocket at all during recovery and landing. Begad! T' descent rate was about 16 fps or so. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' length of strap that came with t' kit worked out fine.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' rocket kit is a great one with no real faults. Aye aye! It goes together well and flies like a dream. Arrr! Avast! Blimey! T' only thin' I would add is an additional centerin' ring to capture t' fins. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! That way it has a strong fin can t' take t' landings. This kit is a bit large for level 1 certifications but I had planned on using it for me level 2 also. Avast! Avast! Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5