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

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

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Begad! 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. Begad! I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount be inserted into t' BT. Aye aye! T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. Aye aye! After sandin' t' BT, arrr, t' tube be marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Well, blow me down! T' laser-cut fins are made from 1/8 hard balsa. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' fins leadin' edge be rounded and they were glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Ahoy! Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, me hearties, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' shipshape up t' joints. Ya scallywag! T' launch lugs was 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. It was made from hard balsa which is good, but it be very heavy. Arrr! I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. Blimey! Begad! However, matey, 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. Aye aye! T' filler be sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Avast, me proud beauty! T' Super Alpha be painted silver with Dupli-color, matey, and t' metallic black be Rustoleum. Ya scallywag! Once t' body was allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal was applied. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' decal applied easily with no issues.

Construction Rating: 4out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' Super Alpha three times on t' first day. Ahoy! I used an Estes C6-3, Estes C6-5, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and a Quest C6-3. Ahoy! Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! All three flights were perfect, me hearties, stable, arrr, and recovered close t' t' pad. Begad! Aye aye! 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, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. Ahoy! I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, matey, matey, but t' wind was 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. Arrr! It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. Ahoy! T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5