Brief:
This is a model o' t' United Stated Airforce 1962 spy reconnaissance plane. Arrr! Still t' fastest and highest flyin' plane in t' world.

Construction:
When I opened t' box I be mesmerized at all t' pieces t' t' blackbird and a few I never used before. Avast, me proud beauty! This is a Estes Challenger level kit. Begad! An appropriate classification since it was. Avast, me proud beauty! This kit can be built with a ruler, ya bilge rat, hobby knife and white or yellow glue. Blimey! I recommend yellow and white glue but more on that later.

T' reason this rocket is so challengin' is that it is a airplane design nay a rocket design. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' two most frustratin' features for me were t' paper shroud and t' fin alignment. Avast! Blimey! T' paper shroud is what makes t' rocket look like t' Air Force plane. Begad! Blimey! There are actually two shrouds. Ahoy! Blimey! One goes over t' top o' t' rocket and t' other t' bottom. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! My trim job on t' shrouds was were I messed up. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Use white glue after you trim t' shrouds because yellow sets up t' fast and you need t' micro adjust t' shrouds t' get a good look. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Since I trimmed t' shrouds too much I had gappin' were t' left and right nacelles went. Ahoy! Blimey! T' fin alignment is also tricky because you cut out a little piece o' paper from t' Estes instructions and that's all t' assistance you get. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Make sure t' use yellow glue on this part for faster set up. Begad! Blimey! Also be cautious joinin' t' balsa fins t' body tube and nacelles t' ensure proper alignment. Also be extremely cautious trimmin' and sandin' balsa parts or you will get gapping.

Finishing:
T' rocket is nay yet finished. Avast! Ahoy! I am dissatisfied with t' looks. Ahoy! I have primed t' rocket grey and need t' fill in some gaps with wood putty. Aye aye! I am goin' t' fly t' rocket before finishin' t' see if t' Blackbird is stable.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' SR-71 flew great for all t' balsa hangin' off o' it. Arrr! Blimey! That really surprised me, me bucko, that's why I left t' paint job off o' it, shiver me timbers, I thought for sure it would be bottom heavy. But I did put plenty o' nose weight in t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Because o' all t' wood on it it really reacts t' weather cocking.

I had two excellent flight for this bird but I gust o' wind carried it into a pine tree on t' second flight. A unbelievably nice gentleman climbed t' pine tree t' get it back for me. Well, blow me down! I should have gave him a reward.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
If you like buildin' challengin' and historically accurate aircraft then t' Estes SR71 Blackbird is for you. Very challengin' t' build , but some very rewardin' flights, plus t' bonus o' havin' in your rocket collection t' fastest plane on earth!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5