Brief:
A great level 1 3FNC with a clear payload tube & a rather aggressive lookin' fin design. Avast! It can be smartly assembled & finished in only a couple of days. Aye aye! It is also very easy t' get it t' look just like t' picture on the packaging.

Construction:
I picked this rocket up at a local crafts store. Regular price was ~$15 which seemed awfully high for a rocket with this simple a design but I happened to stumble upon t' store when they had all o' their rocketry stuff for 50% off. Blimey!

Once I got it home & opened t' packaging, me bucko, all parts were intact & present however thar was a slight compression along t' length o' t' BT-50 tube so that it was ovalized that I was unable t' initially see through the packaging. However, arrr, after installin' t' motor mount & gently rollin' the tube on me workspace, it rounded back out. Ahoy! Plastic model cement is required to attach both nosecone inserts (one for t' NC & t' other for t' clear plastic payload section). T' fins are each constructed o' 2 pieces o' balsa. Estes graciously provides a template for assemblin' t' fins & wax paper is recommended so that t' fins can dry flat. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' template is also nice for beginner rocketeers t' properly glue t' pieces together without error. Ahoy! Overall there were no surprises in assembly & I was able t' build it smartly & completely in one evening.

MODIFICATIONS:

• Used Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish (thinned with water) t' seal fins before attachin' t' main BT.
• Swapped out t' thin & always too short elastic shock cord for 4ft of 1/4in elastic.
• Cut a 1.5in spill hole in t' 12in chute & attached it t' a snap swivel (to minimize drift & aid in removal, respectively).

PROS:

• Aggressive design & attractive clear plastic payload gimmick.
• Typical easy-to-follow Estes instructions. Avast, me proud beauty!
• Well cut balsa (for an Estes kit).
• Main BT has minimal if any spirals.

Assembles smartly (I bought it on a Wednesday night & had it completed in time for a Saturday mornin' flight).

CONS:

• Short shock cord...but you knew that.

Finishing:
T' default paint scheme is red BT & fins with white NC. There are self-adhesive decals that you have t' cut out yourself. Begad! I prefer t' decals that are already cut out over these. I chose nay t' paint t' NC since it was already white. Ya scallywag! I'd already sealed t' fins so it was one coat o' primer, a little sanding, matey, shiver me timbers, & then Krylon red t' finish. Avast! Begad! T' spirals in t' BT were so minimal that I didn't bother t' fill them in since primin' & finish coats easily filled them in.

PROS:

• Only one color o' paint & t' included decals are all that is required to get it t' lookin' like what's shown on t' packaging.

CONS:

• None.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
In case I ever wanted t' use t' payload section in t' future, matey, ya bilge rat, I chose t' not glue t' NC onto t' payload section. Ya scallywag! T' parts have a snug fit but for cheap insurance, I wrapped a piece o' clear tape around t' NC & payload to ensure t' NC doesn't go anywhere unexpectedly. At least for t' first flight, I chose nay t' have anythin' in t' payload section. Begad! It's first flight be on a B6-4. This would be a good choice even for a small field but I'd be willin' to bet you could get some serious altitude on a C6-5.

PROS:

• Long BT leaves plenty o' room for preppin' chute.
• Wide fins provide a straight, stable flight.
• Enough noseweight/length for safe flights on a C6-5 without a payload.

CONS:

• None.

Recovery:
Rocket be still gainin' altitude but close t' apogess when t' ejection charge popped. Avast! Avast! A B6-6 might be a slightly better choice.

WHEN LAUNCHING WITHOUT A PAYLOAD ON A WINDY DAY, matey, would recommend cuttin' a small (1in t' 1.5in) spill hole and/or reefin' t' chute. Well, blow me down! Might even consider usin' a streamer for those C6-5 flights. Only use an unmodified chute for those launches where thar be a payload.

PROS:

• Rocket comes down nice on t' provided chute.

CONS:

• None. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
A quick build for t' experienced & a decent challenge (namely gluin' t' 2 piece fins together) for t' beginner. Arrr! I'd recommend this kit as a second or third kit for someone just gettin' into t' hobby but probably only if you can pick it up at a discounted price (I think thar are better rockets available for t' same or less price).

OVERALL PROS:

• Very easy t' get it lookin' just like t' picture on t' packaging.

OVERALL CONS:

• Can be expensive if purchased at full retail price.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5