Brief:
Quest's new Shuttle Intrepid is a booster glider combination. Aye aye! T' booster is based on a T40 tube. Ahoy! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' glider rides "piggy back" on t' top o' t' booster. Arrr! Ya scallywag! At ejection t' Booster deploys a 14" parachute and t' glider is released into a slowly spiralin' decent.

Modifications:
Minor assembly sequence changes and a relocated launch lug.

Construction:
T' components consist of:

• 1)motor mount clip
• 1)18mm set o' motor mount parts
• 3)sheets o' die-cut balsa
• 1 ea)Large and small nosecones
• 1)12" long booster body tube
• 1)4.375"long glider body tube
• 1)coupler for t' small nosecone
• 1)1/8x2" launch lug
• 1)1/8x1" launch lug
• 1)1/8x1" dowel
• 1)18"length o' elastic cord
• 1)18" length o' Keelhaul®©™ cord
• 1)14" parachute
• 1)pack o' 26" shroud lines
• 1)set o' tyvek gripper tabs
• 1)set o' waterslide decals

T' instructions were well presented and treat t' booster and glider as two separate projects.

This is a skill level 4 kit, and deservingly so. Begad! There is a lot o' lumber t' fill and sand. T' need t' trim t' glider makes t' kit a little more challenging, as well.

I did nay deviate from t' instructions except for two items.

T' aft edge o' t' main win' on t' booster shows one win' deck glued t' t' center o' t' main wing,the kit supplied two win' decks and I glued both o' them in place.

I built t' Booster and t' Glider wings at t' same time as I felt it was easier t' glue and sand on one set while t' other was drying.

I built t' win' assemblies on wax paper and weighted them down with books as they dried

I masked off t' balsa areas that were t' be glued with tape and applied fill and finish.Once t' sealer dried I removed t' tape and sanded t' surfaces smooth.

T' second item I did differently was t' placement o' t' 1" launch lug on t' main tube. Begad! T' instructions show a dimension o' 3.125 from t' aft o' t' lug t' t' aft end o' t' main tube. Avast! I believe this is wrong. Avast, me proud beauty! T' correct dimension should be 2.875.

I called Quest about this mistake, but I never got through t' t' right person. Other than this mistake, if t' directions are closely followed, ya bilge rat, arrr, t' kit will go together well.

Finishing:
T' finishin' job was a little tedious. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' suggested paintscheme consists o' 3 colors (White,Black,Grey).

T' Finishin' instructions are very detailed and give a lot o' good tips for paintin' and decalin' t' model. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' decals are very nice and include a lot o' different colors and details. Arrr! T' finished model looks great! With a little time and patience you will have a sharp lookin' flier.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' last 2 pages o' t' instructions provide tips on trimmin' t' glider and preppin' t' rocket for flight.

For best results t' glider should be painted as lightly as possible, if at all.

I made t' mistake o' applyin' too much paint t' me glider, me bucko, me bucko, shiver me timbers, and it suffered somewhat from t' added weight o' t' paint.

Usin' t' C6-3, shiver me timbers, t' ejection charge be a little past apogee.

My model came out at 2.4oz without motor and performs quite well on t' C6 reachin' about 450ft altitude.

Good for flyin' on a small field.

Recovery:
I found I didn't need t' add noseweight t' t' glider but it came down in a somewhat steep spiral. Begad! Overall nay too bad o' a glide, arrr, just a little fast.

T' Booster recovers on a 14" chute and just slow enough t' keep damage t' a minimum. Ahoy! Blimey! T' winglets are easily damaged and will nay fair well on a hard surface landing. Blimey! Blimey! I suggest buildin' t' wings nice and strong.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I bought T' Quest Shuttle for a few dollars less than an Orbital Transport typically goes for.

With t' diecut balsa, ya bilge rat, Quest's Shuttle is nay as challengin' t' build as Estes' Orbital Transport, but it still deserves t' skill level 4 designation.

This kit would make a good upscale or kitbash project, as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5