Brief:
T' Alien UFO is a ready t' fly MicroMaxx rocket from Quest. Aye aye! It is saucer shaped, uses a 6mm motor, and recovers by aerobraking.

[Editor Note: see also Quest MicroMaxx Series]

Construction:
T' rocket is RTF. It is made o' plastic and stickers are already in place. Well, blow me down! It has a plastic motor retainer rin' that is a bit delicate.

I have been wantin' t' try a MicroMaxx rocket. I have gotten several, ya bilge rat, some RTFs from Quest and a few kits that needed t' be built but knew almost nothin' about them. Begad! I seem t' have trouble findin' information as well so I ordered an OOP Little Joe II starter set. Ahoy! Aye aye! As things turn out thought, t' Alien UFO be t' first one I tried t' fly.

There is nothin' t' assemble. It is already built.

Finishing:
T' rocket is already finished.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' MMX be t' only motor for this bird. Avast, me proud beauty! It slips in easy enough but t' plastic snap on retainer is a bit delicate and would be easy t' break.

I tried launchin' from t' Quest MicroMaxx pad but could never get t' motor t' ignite. Begad! Since this was at a club launch and I had some very anxious little boys I did nay want t' disappoint, matey, I tried t' find an Estes igniter skinny enough t' fit in t' orifice. Avast! I never did find one that be perfect but finally found one that "almost" fit. I held it in place with a piece o' maskin' tape and connected t' leads from t' regular ignition system. Avast, me proud beauty! I got tine so I decided we were go for launch.

T' rocket rose right up on t' first try. Aye aye! It ascended t' maybe 40 feet and then gently coasted down a few feet from t' pad. Begad! It was interestin' but nay spectacular.

We decided t' try again but 6 igniters later, arrr, I still had nay gotten a good ignition. Aye aye! I'll try again some other time.

PROs: flies well

CONs: motor difficult t' ignite

Recovery:
T' rocket recovered by aerobraking. Ya scallywag! It was a gentle descent and t' rocket is ready t' go again.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a cute little beast and I guess t' rocket is dependable. Avast! T' motors are another matter though. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I want t' do some more research and see if thar be a better way t' skin this cat.

PROs: launch from tiny areas, no building

CONs: unreliable ignition

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5