Brief:
T' Texas Twister is a paper body tube and balsa fin model rocket with three moveable fins that flip into position t' spin t' vehicle durin' recovery. Aye aye! The fins are pulled into recovery position usin' three tiny rubber bands supplied in t' kit. Begad! Blimey! A nifty piston and lock system unlocks t' fins from boost position usin' ejection charge gas pressure.

Construction:
This is a quality kit and includes two body tubes, a motor mount tube, plastic nose cone, coupler tube, centerin' rings, me bucko, as well as a motor block, arrr, matey, hinge material, and two launch lugs. Ya scallywag! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Also included are t' little rubber bands needed for t' fins, shiver me timbers, a special plastic rin' t' hold t' fins durin' launch, and a small decal sheet with two decals.

All instructions should be this good! Six pages o' detailed printed instructions includin' diagrams and numbered steps for each assembly.

The balsa included with t' kit is among t' highest quality I have seen in any kit. T' only special tool needed is a jar o' petroleum jelly. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Blimey! This is used to grease t' hinge line on each moveable fin before gluin' t' hinges. Well, blow me down! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! It doesn't take much. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! Apogee calls these fins "flaps".

T' fit o' t' plastic nose cone could be a little better. It is OK but it does nay quite line up perfectly with t' body tube.

T' builder must be very careful where he puts t' glue on t' motor mount/piston assembly. Avast! T' piston must be free t' slide in and out. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! My kit required some sandin' o' t' centerin' rings t' get it t' slide freely. Ya scallywag! The plans point this out but be careful nay t' get glue inside where it could jam the slidin' movement. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty!

Finishing:
T' review model in t' pictures was finished with Aero Gloss model airplane dope in t' little glass jars. Avast! I bought it at t' local hobby shop. Ya scallywag! Several light coats o' white were brushed on t' fins then t' yellow be airbrushed on. Ahoy! One fin be painted black in order t' aid in viewin' t' descent rotation. Once again, me hearties, ya bilge rat, you have t' be careful nay t' paint t' slidin' motor mount into a stuck position.

T' kit supplies a red and blue "Texas Twister" water slide decal with a picture o' t' state o' Texas and a small Apogee logo decal. Avast!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Apogee recommended a 1/4A3-3T for t' first flight then 1/2A3-2T and A3-4T. Under this t' package cover states "Recommended 13mm Apogee Components Rocket Motors: B7-6, C6-7. For t' first flight I used an A3-4T because that is what I had on hand. Avast! T' prepare for flight, be sure all three rubber bands are placed over t' little balsa hooks. Blimey! Begad! Blimey! There is one hook on t' fixed side o' each fin and one on each flap. Ya scallywag! Blimey! You must hold all three flaps in t' boost position then slide t' plastic retainer rin' down over t' end o' each one simultaneously, me bucko, which is nay as hard as it sounds. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' motor is held in place with tape. Well, blow me down! No waddin' is required. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' initial launch be in boiler plate (no paint).

T' first boost was very straight on t' A3-4T. Ahoy! We got about 190 feet!

Recovery:
There is no shock cord on t' Texas Twister. Begad! Both recoveries were similar, ya bilge rat, with a gyratin' tumblin' spin on t' way down. Arrr! T' recovery mechanism worked as advertised, however, one rubber band "hook" split off just above the glue line causin' a tumblin' followed by a few spins and more tumbling. Ya scallywag! Begad! Other than t' broken hook thar was no other damage and it was an easy fix. Well, blow me down! For the second flight, t' model be taken back t' t' shop, cleaned up, prepped and painted with Aero Gloss dope. Begad! An A10-3T be used for t' second flight. Avast! The very bottom o' t' motor mount tube has torn at t' wrap. Nay sure how this happened.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a very high quality kit with an interestin' recovery system. Ahoy! The instructions can't be beat. This is a very complete kit.

T' main CON be t' slight misalignment o' t' plastic nose cone but this was minor.

Nay sure if this rocket is supposed t' spin down vertically or tumble and spin as mine did. Ahoy! Ahoy! As t' engine moves aft durin' ejection burn, me bucko, t' CG moves way back. Ahoy! I think this is what causes t' tumble. I built an Estes Gyroc years ago and was expectin' a similar recovery, me bucko, me bucko, but this thin' is different. Arrr! It is hard t' explain--you just have t' see it happen.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

T' followin' excerpt is from "Sport Rocketry". Ya scallywag! T' intention is t' allow guests t' get a basic feelin' about a kit. Aye aye! Begad! We strongly suggest that you get a copy o' t' referenced Sport Rocketry and read t' entire article. Inside you will find many helpful hints in construction as well as other useful information. Arrr! For more information, use t' two links above.

"This fun sport flyer features helicopter recovery."
"...comes with clearly illustrated set o' instruction that easily explains the rocket's construction."
"...includes 18mm body tubes, shiver me timbers, 10mm motor tube, arrr, plastic nose cone, laser cut balsa fins, a molded plastic flap guide, and water transfer decals."
"...assembles fairly easy."
"T' motor tube is constructed like a piston..."
"At launch, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' motor piston is placed in a forward position, ya bilge rat, such that the flap guide holds t' flaps straight, in-line with t' fins."
"At ejection, shiver me timbers, t' motor piston will be moved t' t' rear, thus, releasing the flaps."
"I found t' Texas Twister fun t' build and fun t' fly..."

T' entire article gives t' impression that t' Texas Twister is slightly challengin' but rewardin' t' build and fly. Avast! And that it could be used for competition.