Brief:
An upscaled version o' t' classic Alpha that flies on standard Estes 18mm engines. Ya scallywag! Almost 20 inches tall, ya bilge rat, this rocket reaches heights o' 600 feet.

Construction:
Balsa Nose Cone, ya bilge rat, me bucko, Laser-cut Balsa Fins, Cardstock Centerin' Rings, Engine Hook, me bucko, me hearties, BT-60 body tube, and waterslide Decals

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Ya scallywag! T' only thin' I changed be t' add a Keelhaul®©™ shock cord that ties around t' motor tube betwixt t' upper and lower centerin' ring. I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount be inserted into t' BT. Begad! Begad! T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. Ahoy! After sandin' t' BT, t' tube was marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' laser-cut fins are made from 1/8 hard balsa. Arrr! T' fins leadin' edge was rounded and they were glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Arrr! Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' shipshape up t' joints. Avast! Aye aye! T' launch lugs be attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. Well, blow me down! T' kit provides one long launch that I cut in half and installed them on t' bt about 7" apart.

T' only con was t' nose cone. Blimey! Well, blow me down! It was made from hard balsa which is good, but it was very heavy. Blimey! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. However, because o' t' weight o' t' cone hittin' t' advertised weight o' 2.2oz is nearly impossible.

Finishing:
I sealed t' balsa fins and nose cone with two coats o' Minwax Polyurethane. Aye aye! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that be brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. Avast, me proud beauty! T' filler be sanded off and t' rocket be primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Arrr! T' Super Alpha was painted silver with Dupli-color, arrr, matey, and t' metallic black was Rustoleum. Begad! Ahoy! Once t' body was allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal was applied. T' decal applied easily with no issues.

Construction Rating: 4out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' Super Alpha three times on t' first day. Aye aye! I used an Estes C6-3, Estes C6-5, and a Quest C6-3. Begad! Well, blow me down! Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. Aye aye! All three flights were perfect, matey, stable, and recovered close t' t' pad. On one o' t' flights t' nose cone impacted t' top o' t' BT causin' very minor damage that was easily fixed.

Recovery:
T' supplied 18" 'chute is a little on t' large size, arrr, ya bilge rat, matey, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, but t' wind be less than 5mph. A 12" or 16" parachute would be better.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Estes Super Alpha is another great offering. Aye aye! It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5