Brief:
Smaller version o' Estes' classic Der Red Max kit. Begad! Arrr! It has a balsa nose cone, me hearties, me bucko, waterslide decals, streamer recover and is powereed by Estes 13mm Mini Motors. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! T' model was built and t' review submitted as part o' the 2010 EMRR Challenge for t' "Hit List" component.

Construction:

• 1 - 13mm Engine Mount Tube
• 1 - Estes Engine Hook
• 1 - Mylar Hook Retainer
• 1 - 13mm Engine Block
• 2 - Laser Cut Centerin' Rings
• 1 - 5" BT-50 Body Tube
• 3 - Laser Cut Balsa Fins
• 1 - Launch Lug
• 1 - Screw Eye
• 1 - Balsa Nose Cone
• 1 - Elastic Shock Cord
• 1 - Streamer
• 1 - Waterslide Decal Sheet

The quality o' this kit was very good. Begad! Begad! I had purchased two kits for t' "Hit List" part o' t' EMRR 2010 Challenge. Well, blow me down! Begad! Both arrived from http://LongLongJonRocket.com in great condition. Well, blow me down! T' parts were very good quality. Ahoy! I especially liked t' quality o' t' nose cone and fins.

As with all Estes’ kits I have built, matey, arrr, t' instructions were very clear and easy t' follow. Ya scallywag! They had plenty o' illustrations for first time modelers. Well, blow me down!

First is sandin' t' fins. Begad! Begad! T' instructions show me preferred method. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! Sand each side o' t' fin sheet before removin' t' fins. Then cut them out and "stack" them when sandin' t' edges. Avast! Blimey! This helps t' keep them uniform. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' leadin' edges were rounded and t' root and trailin' edges left squared.

T' motor mount is then assembled with t' motor tube, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, matey, two centerin' rings, me bucko, me hearties, an engine hook and Mylar hook retainer. Blimey! This was pretty straight forward.

Tube markin' is them done with a cut-out markin' wrap and lines extended with a door jam or other angled marking tool.

T' three fins are then glued on and aligned. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! A fin alignment guide is provided, ya bilge rat, arrr, printed on t' instruction sheet. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

T' body tube is then marked for t' launch lug attachment and t' lug is sanded and glued on. Well, blow me down!

T' motor mount is then glued into t' body tube flush with t' end. Avast! This is a change from many other Estes kits. Many glue in t' motor mount before attachin' t' fins. Well, blow me down!

T' instructions then call for screwin' in t' eyelet t' t' balsa nose cone. Begad! There be no mention o' gluin' in t' eyelet in t' instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr!

I sanded t' nose cone, me bucko, filled it with Elmer's Wood Filler, matey, me hearties, and sanded again. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty!

For t' eyelet, screwed t' eyelet in t' center o' t' nose cone base and then unscrewed it. Avast, me proud beauty! I epoxied it in the hole and spread some epoxy around t' base. Ya scallywag! With larger rockets, arrr, I would have epoxied in a harder wood dowel for mountin' t' eyelet. Begad! Well, blow me down!

T' shock cord attachment uses t' standard three-fold Estes method. Ahoy! T' folded, glued mount is then glued in the top o' t' body tube far enough down nay t' block t' base o' t' nose cone when inserted. Blimey!

I prefer t' use Keelhaul®©™® cord attached t' t' motor mount, but stuck t' t' instructions for this review. Aye aye! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!

Finishing:
T' balsa fins and nose cone were very good quality and were easy t' sand smooth and finish.

Fillets were applied t' t' fins and launch lug and let t' dry.

T' instructions called for fillin' and sandin' t' nose cone and fins. Avast! Aye aye! I did this and also filled t' body tube spirals at t' same time. Arrr!

I filled t' spirals on t' body tube for this stock Mini Max and decided t' nay fill t' spirals on t' modified Mini Max t' show t' difference. Avast! Aye aye!

Fillin' in t' spirals does make a difference...

I used cheaper ColorPlace primer and paint from Wal-Mart with very good results. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! It's about 1/3 t' cost o' the Krylon they sell and I often get better results with t' cheaper one. Arrr! Both brands are made by t' same company. Begad!

T' waterslide decals are applied last. Avast! After they had dried for a day, me bucko, I painted Future floor wax over them with a fine, flat paint brush t' seal and protect them. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
We flew three flights on Estes A3-4T motors. Begad! Blimey! All flights were nice and straight despite t' wind we had that day. Begad! Blimey! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Blimey! This is a great flyin' little rocket.

Recovery:
Recovery be great on all three flights with t' provided streamer. Begad! Ya scallywag! Blimey! No damage at all.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I had fun buildin' both this unmodified Estes Mini Max and a modified version. Begad! Both flew great on t' A3-4T motors. Avast, me proud beauty! I highly recommend this kit.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5