Brief:
T' Mini Max is a single stage 13mm rocket with a streamer used for recovery. Begad! Begad! It's t' baby brother t' t' Der Red Max. Arrr!

Construction:

• 1 Engine Mount Tube BT-5 1.75"
• 1 Mini Engine Hook
• 1 Mylar Hook Retainer HR-5
• 1 EB-5
• 1 CR-520 Split Ring
• 1 CR-520 Ring
• 3 Laser Cut Fins
• 1 Launch Lug 1.5"
• 1 Screw Eye
• 1 BNC-50AH
• 1 Shock cord 13"
• 1 Streamer 1.25"x17"

Basic Estes Instructions well written and t' fin markin' guide and shock chord mount are included in the instructions you need t' cut out.

I started with laser cut fins sandin' both sides o' t' sheet and cuttin' them out, sandin' t' leading edge. Begad! T' fins are nice a sturdy. T' engine mount be t' next process. It is a nice sturdy engine mount tube and not one o' those flimsy blue tubes. Begad!

T' nice sturdy laser cut center rings nay t' flimsy ones that in passin' look like they have been hit with a punch. Avast! T' next process was cuttin' out t' tube markin' guide from t' instructions, wrappin' it around t' body tube and then markin' t' lines on t' tube. Begad! I used wood glue t' attach t' fins t' t' body tube. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! While that was drying, I cut out t' shock chord mount and assembled that. That was glued in after t' fins had dried. Avast! Ahoy! Next was t' launch lug, me bucko, which was glued t' t' body tube with white glue. Begad! Aye aye!

T' next step be a dry test fit o' t' engine mount into t' body. Arrr! Ya scallywag! It was a nice fit without havin' t' sand the center rings. Ya scallywag! I put a bead o' white glue inside t' body and engine was inserted and left t' dry. Aye aye! Begad! Next was t' screw eye which be centered into t' nose cone after bein' sanded smooth. Begad!

I added a drop o' glue in t' hole t' keep t' screw eye from pullin' out durin' ejection charge. Ahoy! T' base o' the nose cone needed a little sandin' t' get a nice snug fit. T' last phase was apply a fillet o' glue t' t' fins and launch lug and attach t' streamer t' t' shock cord with maskin' tape .

Finishing:
Finishin' t' Mini Max be easy. I applied 2 coats o' sandin' sealer t' t' fins and nose cone, lettin' t' coats dry between. I then applied a 3rd coat and let it dry with a final sandin' o' t' fins and nose cone. Begad! After wipin' down with a tact cloth, I applied a coat o' Rustoleum White primer and let it dry, me bucko, shiver me timbers, sandin' between coats. Begad! Well, blow me down! After wipin' with tact cloth, I applied a coat o' Valspar Gloss Black paint, again lettin' it dry betwixt the two coats. Arrr! Avast! For t' body tube and fins, they were painted usin' Valspar Gloss Red Paint and lettin' dry betwixt t' two coats. Begad! Arrr! After dryin' for two days, I applied t' decals lettin' them dry overnight. Avast! I then applied a light coat of Future floor finish t' protect t' decals. Begad! This provided a nice glossy finish and t' decals were easy t' apply. Ya scallywag!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' first 2 flights were on Estes 1/2A3-2T motors. Avast! Arrr! Both were nice low flights and easy to track. Arrr! Aye aye! T' last two flights o' t' day were on Estes A10-3 motors and nice high flights, me hearties, but easy t' track.

Recovery:
All flights were good and streamer fully deployed fine. Well, blow me down! On one o' A10-3 flights I didn't add enough waddin' and scorched t' nose cone. Begad! I just need t' sand and reapply a coat o' paint. Ahoy!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great rocket. Avast! It seems Estes is movin' in t' right direction goin' with t' sturdy laser cut fins and center rings. Also, arrr, matey, it's nice t' have a sturdy engine mount tube instead o' t' flimsy blue tube, Nice hard wood BNC that holds up well.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5