Brief:
T' Art Applewhite Cone rocket is a single stage, me bucko, cone stabilized rocket. Arrr!

Construction:
Art's rockets are amazing. Ahoy! Blimey! They are comprised o' a small number o' lightweight parts. Arrr! Blimey! This kit comes with a 1/4" foamcore board with printed patterns, a piece o' gold mirror cardstock with patterns printed on t' back, ya bilge rat, a piece of plain cardstock with parts printed on it, two nice white motor mount tubes (24 and 29mm), me hearties, and a couple o' feet o' gold (!!) elastic shock cord. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! That's it! Blimey! All the components are o' very good quality.

Although Art's rockets may be tricky for you t' build if you are unfamiliar with paper construction techniques, shiver me timbers, his instructions are clear and t' the point. Ya scallywag! He will "walk" you through t' process, me bucko, and even if it is difficult for you, his instructions will get you there. Begad! Begad!

Construction o' t' cone rocket is unlike anythin' I've ever seen. The rocket is o' a skeleton/shroud construction nay unlike builtup R/C planes. Centerin' rings are cut out o' t' foam core with an X-Acto knife, then the edge is tapered with it. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Blimey! T' shrouds are cut from t' card stock and fit over the centerin' rings- these support t' shroud and help maintain t' shape. Avast!

There are two shrouds, ya bilge rat, an inside structural shroud and an external finish shroud. Aye aye! T' internal one can be tricky t' do- it has t' be rolled precisely to the correct form. I had a little too much glue on mine, arrr, and it started to "grab" before it be in t' proper position!! Fortunately, thar was time t' slip it into alignment before it set. Blimey! T' manufacturer has been informed o' this, and will include a note in future instructions. Blimey!

Next, arrr, you cut out t' external shroud from t' gold card stock, roll it to form, me hearties, matey, me hearties, and glue a tab over t' seam t' form t' shape. Additional gold reinforcin' strips are added along t' bottom 1/2" o' t' inside diameter. This is then glued over t' structural shroud. Avast, me proud beauty!

This rocket builds quickly, arrr, and despite me lack o' experience and cautious pace, it be assembled and ready t' fly in 2 hours! Blimey!

Finishing:
Absolutely no finishin' o' any kind is required, matey, and this rocket looks STUNNING. If you have other than t' mirrored finish, you may want t' spray the outside in clear enamel t' preserve t' preprinted graphics. Begad!

Easy and looks great- outstanding!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Prep is super easy. Aye aye! T' completed rocket has a base plate with t' motor tube built in, that "nests" into t' forward shroud and tube. They are connected by t' shock cord. Blimey! Begad! Just tape in your motor, matey, feed t' shock cord into the shroud, and nest t' tubes back together. (Be sure t' align launch rod holes in t' shroud with t' one in t' base plate) You are now ready t' add ignitor and launch!!

Although this rocket requires no wadding, arrr, I put a generous ball o' Quest waddin' into t' forward shroud (not motor mount) tube. Well, blow me down! Begad!

Since this rocket is built without a thrust ring, me hearties, me bucko, you can theoretically use a large variety o' motors. Arrr! Just extend them out t' top o' t' motor mount tube and into t' shroud tube. Blimey! It is recommended that they protrude no more than 1/2" from t' bottom, though. Begad! For t' first flight, an Estes C11-3 was used.

T' rocket be stood off from t' blast plate 6" as directed in the instructions. Lift-off was fairly slow. Boost be straight, ya bilge rat, arrr, but nay as leisurely as Art's saucers. This rocket gains some speed! Blimey! T' wide, arrr, ya bilge rat, flat base results in a HUGE smoke trail. Well, blow me down! Avast! Blimey! It nosed over at apogee and fell for about a second before t' ejection charge went off. Arrr! Altitude looked t' be about 250-300'. Begad! Begad! Blimey!

T' Cone is a GREAT candidate for demo flights on small fields. Blimey! One o' the most interestin' low altitude flights I've ever seen. Blimey!

Recovery:
T' cone rocket separates into 2 pieces at ejection. Ahoy! T' shock cord is retained by t' centerin' rin' at t' top, me hearties, and by an Estes-style tri-fold mount onto the bottom centerin' ring. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' motor mount has a rolled paper gasket on t' top which seals it into t' 29mm tube. When t' ejection charge goes off, it pressurizes t' 29mm tube and separates t' rocket with a loud POP! The lightweight pieces then tumble down, matey, held together by t' shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' tip o' t' nose stuck into t' turf with a THUNK, arrr, but thar was no sign of damage other than some soot stains on t' base and inside. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
If you are willin' t' take your time and learn t' required techniques, the cone rocket is a rewardin' build. Begad! You will want t' be cautious durin' forming of t' shrouds and taperin' t' centerin' rings. Aye aye!

Even with all due caution, it builds fast. Blimey! Ahoy! You get a simple but VERY UNIQUE lookin' rocket that flies unlike any other you'll ever see. Begad! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! It's a wonderful addition t' Art Applewhite's line. Avast! Begad!

Get one o' these!!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5