Brief:
I built this kit in t' late 1980's. Begad! This model really looks cool and, ya bilge rat, despite t' number o' parts, matey, was nay terribly difficult t' put together. Ya scallywag! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! It is a futuristic space fighter reminiscent o' somethin' from Star Wars or maybe Battlestar Galactica.

Construction:
T' Strikefighter sports a unique nosecone that gives t' appearance o' a ramjet engine. Aye aye! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' body tube is BT-55 and t' fins are die-cut balsa. There are two main fins set 180 degrees from one another. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! On t' tip o' each win' is a complex nacelle. Blimey! Blimey! I say they are complex only because o' t' number o' parts that went into them. They have a section o' BT-5 centered in a BT-50 outer tube by six balsa vanes. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' BT-5 tubes have simulated weapons mounted in t' front. Blimey! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! These were built-up from a small dowel, me hearties, a section o' launch lug, and numerous cardboard components. Three stabilizers are mounted on each nacelle, one as an extension o' t' main win' and two at an angle slightly greater than +/-45 degrees.

Finishing:
T' model is painted solid white, except for t' laser cannons that are silver. Trim includes a simulated scoop mounted near t' rear, shiver me timbers, a clear cockpit, cardboard fairings mounted over t' structural fin fillets, and a whole bunch o' decals. Arrr! Begad! A decal be even provided for t' tip o' t' nosecone t' look like turbine blades.

Construction Rating: 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines include t' B4-4, B6-4, me hearties, me hearties, me hearties, and C6-3. Begad! Since I built this as a display model for me son, it only flew once on a B6-4.

Recovery:
T' recovery system included a rubber shock cord and a plastic chute. Arrr! There was plenty o' room t' pack these in t' BT-55 body tube. T' flight was successful except for a few scrapes where t' nosecone evidently rebounded into t' body tube. Ya scallywag! Arrr! If and when I fly it again I will replace t' rubber shock cord with light Keelhaul®©™ line.

Flight Rating: 4

Summary:
This was a really great lookin' kit that was relatively easy t' build. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! If you can glue a fin on straight then you could build this one.

Overall Rating: 4