Brief
This is a single-stage, me bucko, matey, mid-power scale model o' a US Army surface t' air missile.

Construction
Like all kits I've received from T' Launch Pad, this one arrived in a plastic bag, me bucko, like most o' t' Estes kits you see hangin' in stores. Arrr! All t' needed parts were accounted for, shiver me timbers, and in good shape: a big mylar chute, centerin' rings, swivels, braided elastic shock cord, ya bilge rat, card-stock templates, Estes-style nose cone and tubes, and balsa sheets and strips.

T' instructions were clear and concise. Blimey! Templates were included for cuttin' out t' balsa parts t' make t' fins (three parts t' each!). Arrr! Card templates are also included t' make t' boat tail and t' "hat" for t' nose cone, me hearties, ya bilge rat, t' give it a truer shape. Avast! As with all TLP kits, you are on your own for launch lug placement.

Buildin' was straight-forward, with one exception- t' boat tail assembly seems t' be short a centerin' ring- thar be only one that actually holds t' part t' t' main tube. Well, blow me down! I think it's a bit flimsy, shiver me timbers, but time will tell. Begad! Aye aye! I would have liked a second one, arrr, but I discovered t' problem too late. Blimey! T' nose cone "hat" was a bit tough t' roll into shape without creasing, matey, even usin' t' recommended steamin' procedure.

T' rest o' t' kit went together without incident, matey, and t' final product looks pretty good!

Finishing
As with all Launch Pad kits, thar are no decals included. Avast! Blimey! T' instructions recommend an overall olive drab scheme, arrr, and point out positions for black lettering. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I finished mine in t' recommended green, usin' Ultracote Olive Drab. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! This be t' first TLP kit I've built that didn't mention usin' pinheads for rivets, me bucko, a suggestion I don't miss.

Overall, arrr, t' rocket looks pretty convincing, arrr, if nay terribly colorful.

I rate it a 4 out o' 5, arrr, losin' points mainly for t' nasty boat tail problem, and a bit for t' nose hat and lack o' decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight
T' first flight recommended motor is a D12-3. I managed t' trade for one at a recent launch, and got t' fly me I-Hawk. Booster be quick and straight, although t' missile seemed t' lock onto a high-flyin' jet liner- bonus points for scale-like flight, shiver me timbers, I suppose. Ya scallywag! Arrr! I used about 10 squares o' wadding, arrr, wantin' t' make sure that nothin' went wrong.

Recovery
T' chute was deployed pretty close t' apogee, ya bilge rat, and t' big mylar chute brought t' rocket down safely. No damage or wear was evident, but I intend t' replace t' thread that connects t' nose t' t' shock cord- it snapped on me Harpoon later that day. Ahoy! A good first flight, me hearties, me bucko, me hearties, with everythin' workin' as advertised.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary
T' Improved Hawk is a slick lookin' ship. Aye aye! Big fins, but very sleek nonetheless. Ahoy! This kit produces a faithful, scale likeness. Arrr! T' kit is quite light, and can fly on D through F 24mm motors. Ahoy! Arrr! A C motor may even be possible with an adapter, me bucko, but I don't think I'll attempt it. Begad! T' quality o' t' components is very high.

There are a few things that work against this kit: T' boat tail, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, as I've mentioned, seems flimsy. Ahoy! Blimey! T' hat on t' nose requires patience t' get right. That thread that joins t' nose t' t' shock cord must go. Avast! Blimey! And thar are no decals (not so big an issue with this kit).

Overall, me bucko, I've come t' really like this kit, despite me feelings when I was buildin' t' boat tail (it's that much o' a problem). Avast! Avast! It's a "builder's" kit, ya bilge rat, meanin' you need t' have some experience with buildin' kits, preferably from scratch, as some construction parts are glossed over, ya bilge rat, under t' assumption that you know what you're doing, and have your own preferred method.

I rate this kit an overall 4.5 out o' 5, shiver me timbers, due mainly t' that weak boat tail, matey, which may drastically shorten t' rocket's life.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5