Brief:
This is an OOP "Sci Fi" rocket that can still sometimes be found. Begad! It consists o' a main body tube surrounded by 18 "storage pods". Blimey! It has an unusual plastic nose cone. Begad! Estes defines it as "Galaxy Class craft used in exploration o' distant star systems". Begad! Estes indicated that it is skill level 4.

Construction:
T' rocket consists o' a main body tube with three sets o' 6 tubes attached around t' main tube t' act as storage pods. Blimey! They provide card board punchouts t' glue onto both ends o' these tubes t' make t' pods. Ya scallywag! Other wise it is a standard Estes product with three balsa fins, arrr, an engine hook for t' motor mount, an 18" parachute, me hearties, and too short o' a shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! T' rocket also comes with a plastic nozzle for display, matey, me bucko, but it has t' be removed t' actually fly.

T' instructions were basically good except for one major fault. T' box picture and t' instructions show that t' fins are mounted above t' end o' t' body tube, but no where does it show by how much. Well, blow me down! I did some scalin' based on t' box pictures and mounted t' fins so t' bottom edge was 7/8" above t' end o' t' tube. Blimey! Begad! Alignin' and keepin' level all t' 18 pods is a bit o' a challenge. This is probably t' most difficult part o' t' construction. Arrr! You need t' take your time and allow t' glue t' dry from 1 tube before doin' another. I'm also a little concerned about t' sturdiness o' t' tube mounts - thar be no easy way t' add a fillet t' strengthen these joints. Ahoy! If I be t' build another one I would probably try an epoxy instead o' t' typical white glue.

Finishing:
T' fins are large and need t' be sealed. Aye aye! I used Elmer's Fill and Finish for this. Well, blow me down! T' rocket is basically painted gloss white with a section o' black for t' nose cone and some black and silver on t' display nozzle. Care must be taken when spray paintin' t' avoid dark areas where t' paint was shadowed by t' pods, yet nay sprayin' so much as t' cause runs. Arrr! I started with some Krylon primer and followed with Krylon Hi-Gloss White. Aye aye! I started by light coats t' get t' t' "pod shadows". Ahoy! Once I was satisfied I then finished t' rest o' t' rocket with a couple o' coats o' white. Begad! T' rocket comes with a nice set o' water transfer decals (2 sheets). Arrr! There are "solar panels" for t' fins. My only complaint here is as typical o' Estes, thar are nay enough decals t' do both sides o' all t' fins, just enough t' match what you see on t' rocket from one angle. Begad! Again, gettin' t' decals on t' pods t' be straight and even takes some time. Begad! Do a few and let them dry before doin' more. T' final rocket comes out lookin' very impressive. Arrr! Arrr! It gets lots o' attention from people at t' launch site.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I prepped t' rocket with some standard Estes waddin' and its 18" parachute. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I loaded a D12-3 engine. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' engine hook grabbed t' engine nicely. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I had been demonstratin' model rocketry t' a local squadron o' t' Civil Air Patrol. I had launched various smaller rockets first which helped me t' get a feel for t' winds. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I finally got out me Explorer Aquarius for t' last flight. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! After a 5 second countdown, me hearties, t' rocket took off fairly slowly and majestically. It picked up speed and flew fairly straight with some weather cocking.

Recovery:
I used t' regular Estes shock cord mount, but I did replace t' shock cord with one that was twice as long. Arrr! T' parachute ejected at apogee. Arrr! I would nay recommend t' D12-5 that Estes suggests - t' rocket would be too low when t' parachute came out. Ya scallywag! Due t' all t' pods hangin' on I would nay try a stronger engine (maybe use epoxy vs. Arrr! white glue). Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket drifted a ways on t' 18" parachute, me hearties, but made a nice soft landin' without any damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a super lookin' kit that flew very well. Some care must be taken durin' t' construction and finishing, but then it is rated as a skill level 4. Well, blow me down! T' only real problem was t' lack o' t' dimension for t' fin placement.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5