Construction:
This kit employs PML qauntum tubing. Arrr! This product has a coupleof advantages. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! First, ya bilge rat, no spirals t' fill & sand! Second, arrr, arrr, t' tubin' is able t' be dadoed. Well, blow me down! Begad! This enables t' manufacture t' plow a groove halfway through t' material. Begad! Well, blow me down! This allows for easier placement o' t' fins and much higher strength.

T' fin are precut from .0625 G10. They were accurate and flat. A couple o' minutes with sandpaper resulted in some good lookin' fins.

T' nosecone is plastic and required some work t' hide t' seam. Ahoy! Begad! T' boattail is also plastic.

Kits tend t' almst always say "Read t' instuction before starting...". Aye aye! Well on this kit, that would be a good idea. Begad! T' decisions required regardin' motor retention may stop you dead in your construction tracks if you don't properly prepare.

Many option exist rangin' from expensive machined retainers t' simple but risky friction fit methods. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I chose t' extend t' motor mount tube behind t' boattail and tap t' plastic end o' t' tail for screws that will hold clips.

I questioned t' ability for t' plastic t' hold screws. I decided t' give it a quick test by clampin' t' cone in a vise and yankin' on t' screw with some vise grips. Aye aye! Blimey! I'm confident I would have done severe damage t' t' tailcone before t' screw would come out.

I apreciate t' "cool factor" that aluminum retainers provide, but this isn't a cheap kit! Preped for flight, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, t' flyer could have better than $150 sittin' on t' pad!

Finishing:
I hate t' stickers. Aye aye! OK, arrr, arrr, that may be too harsh. I do like t' glossy black stripes. Begad! Avast! No, me bucko, wait. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I don't like those either. Begad! Maybe it's just me. Begad! I had a heck o' a time gettin' t' black stripes down without liftin' and bucklin' due t' very slight errors in placement..

Now t' worst part. Avast! T' text has a glossy frame around them caused by t' finish o' t' decal. Begad! Arrr! Unless you have a very glossy finish on t' rocket, your gonna see t' difference.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a generally easy t' construct kit that looks great when done. Begad! I wanted t' build this one stock, ya bilge rat, but I'm workin' on a project that will require two o' these boys. Begad! On t' second one, shiver me timbers, me hearties, I'm goin' t' produce custom decals with more details closer t' prototypes. Ahoy! It would be very easy t' add details showin' screw, hatche and other components o' a real missile.

I'm disappointed in two things. First t' decals. Second, matey, this isn't a real missle. Avast! Arrr! Surely a little research could have at least driven this design closer t' some real rocket.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
Pay attention t' decal placement prior t' finishing. I spent much time tryin' t' hide t' joint betwixt t' body tube and t' tailcone. Begad! T' black stripe decal covered all this hard work! T' fillin' really wasn't needed.