Brief:
(from t' 1971 Estes catalog) An excellent scale-like model for any rocketeer. Ahoy! A new feature be t' integral fin unit-engine mount providin' immediate and positive location o' t' thrust rings. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' embossed metallic press-on material and decal arrangement add t' final professional touch o' realism nay found in other models o' its class.

Modifications:
Launch lugs mounted t' a dowel for rail support. Upgraded shock cord.

Construction:
T' construction o' this rocket be pretty easy. T' unique aspects were that molded plastic parts back then usually came in halves that had t' be glued together. Avast, me proud beauty! Therefore, t' fin can, ya bilge rat, transition and nose cone all had t' be glued together with plastic model cement, and thar are mold lines on all three o' these parts. T' engine mount fit tight into t' fin can and be also glued with white glue and plastic cement. Avast, me proud beauty! One deviation I did was t' put t' launch lugs on a wood dowel so that t' rocket could be optionally launched on a traditional rod or a C-rail (which be also available from Estes for more realistic lookin' launch pads).

Finishing:
A coat o' white spray paint and then t' nose cone painted black was all t' paintin' necessary. I would have a done a better job now, but this is a good reference point on what t' expect o' a boy buildin' his third or fourth rocket with no input from his Dad. Arrr! T' decals are all water transfer except for t' metallic bands on t' fin can. Blimey! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! They were very sticky and one got put on out o' alignment and could nay be reapplied.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:

This rocket flies straight and fast every time. It has flown on A8-3, ya bilge rat, B6-4, B8-5, matey, me bucko, B4-4, B6-6, and C6-5. Blimey! On its fourth flight t' weakened payload body tube bent in t' middle from t' acceleration. T' flight was erratic because o' that. Begad! This was repaired with another body tube glued into t' inside as stiffener.

Recovery:
T' rocket recovers fine on a 12 inch orange chute. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' nose cone was lost off t' payload bay on t' first flight because it be only held on with light friction. Blimey! Ya scallywag! This was a good but undesirable lesson learned with nose cones on payload bays. Ahoy! T' nose cone had some unique features nay easily duplicated. Ya scallywag! It has been replaced with a balsa nose cone. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' original rubber shock cord has been replaced with a modern elastic cord.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Rocket History: This was one o' only two rockets that me Mom saved and did nay give or throw away. Well, blow me down! Begad! I had finished it but never flown it. In fact, it still had a B6-4 prepped with t' old nichrome wire igniter and little ball o' cotton installed after all those years in our basement in Colorado. Blimey! I probably had tried t' fly it, me hearties, but t' old red 8 D cell launch pad had let me down again, shiver me timbers, matey, and I gave up model rocketry in disgust. Begad! Blimey! Takin' it home from a vacation with me 6-year old son and 8-year old daughter caused me t' become a BAR when I bought a Goliath/Spitfire starter kit t' obtain a launcher. Ya scallywag! This rocket had a maiden flight 25 years after it be built, shiver me timbers, and has flown many times since. I lost t' unique plastic nose cone on t' first flight. SAROS was takin' a Polly Pocket for a ride in t' payload bay. T' nose cone fell down somewhere in t' weeds never t' be found. Arrr! Well, blow me down! Polly stayed in t' payload bay and didn't come out for a few years because she be stuck (or traumatized).

Overall Rating: 4.5 out o' 5