Description: Looks like t' Russian Sputnik. It's a sphere that flies up on 13mm motors and comes down t' land on three wooden legs when the motor ejects. Begad! Aye aye!

Pros and cons o' construction: All t' parts were thar in a little plastic bag. T' spherical body is styrofoam, ya bilge rat, and t' 3 legs are 1/8 inch diameter wooden dowels 8 inches long. T' motor tube is 13mm and is spiral wound paper, matey, and t' launch lug is plastic and is for 1/8 inch rods. Aye aye! Blimey! A balsa motor bulkhead is supplied t' keep t' motor from burnin' t' styrofoam body.

Instructions were illustrated and clear. Assembly is easy and takes only a few minutes. Arrr! T' launch lug glues t' t' motor tube and goes inside t' body with t' motor tube. Aye aye! T' legs glue right into t' body, allowin' t' model to stand upright like a tripod. Aye aye! Avast! You get holes predrilled into t' body t' guide placement. Begad! T' only gotcha I can foresee is paint choice. Ahoy! Aye aye! Some eat styrofoams, so I used thin water-based acrylic.

Pros and cons about finishing: As I mentioned, better stay away from paints with strong organic solvents. Begad! I sprayed acrylic via an airbrush and made t' model orange. Avast, me proud beauty! It looks funky. Well, blow me down! I like the unconventionality o' it. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty!

Ratin' for construction and finishing: 3 out o' 5

Pros and cons about flight: T' 13mm Estes 1/4A t' A line is good. Apogee sells some B types, but I haven't tried that yet. Blimey! It may be too heavy to be stable, arrr, though. Blimey! I used short delays. T' A10-3T is fine. Arrr! It flew up, fairly straight, arrr, but swirly. Arrr! T' engine popped out and t' model fell onto its legs, but fell over. Ya scallywag! But it stayed upright t' second time. Prep is simple, as no waddin' or streamer is needed. Begad! No engine retention is needed either, shiver me timbers, since you want t' motor t' pop out at ejection. It went up a hundred or so feet, maybe 200. Blimey!

Pros and cons about recovery: Just about right. Landings don't always put it perfectly on its feet, but it's fun t' watch, and onlookers think it's funny. T' kids giggle. Ya scallywag! One called it an octopus. Begad!

Ratin' for flight and recovery: 3 out o' 5

This cost only a few dollars. Okay value. Aye aye! Kids will probably like this. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! The kid in me does. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Hmmm. Arrr! Ahoy! Maybe I'll scale it up for G power!!! No specific tips except that you should take your time t' align t' legs spatially and lengthwise with respect t' each other or else it'll stand lopsided and might fly semi-lateral. Blimey!

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5