Brief:
This is a 3x18mm cluster, vectored-thrust, me hearties, single stage.

Construction:
Parts List:

• 1 BT-55 (18")
• 1 BT-60 (18")
• 3 BT-20 (2.75")
• 1 Balsa nose cone (5 3/8" straight cone)
• 1 Balsa transition (1")
• 3 Sheets balsa fin stock (1/8")
• 1 Sheet balsa fin stock (1/16")
• 1 Custom laser-cut centerin' ring
• 1 Wide shock cord
• 1 Plastic 16" parachute kit (unassembled)
• 1 Screw eye (medium)
• 2 Launch Lugs (3/16")
• 3 18mm engine blocks
• 1 Fin Pattern Sheet
• Assembly instructions, me hearties, includin' hints and tips for clustering

All parts were included and arrived in very good condition. Well, blow me down! Well, matey, blow me down!

T' instructions were extremely easy t' follow, and were very extensive. Pictures were provided for every step o' construction, me hearties, with multiple images within each figure for more complicated steps.

T' motor mount assembly was clearly presented, ya bilge rat, which was essential for such an unorthodox mountin' configuration. Blimey! T' motor mount assembly be actually quite simple, and produced a surprisingly strong structure.

T' main body tube was prepared by usin' t' fin markin' guide, which included cut-out areas for t' motor mount tubes. T' notches for t' motor tubes are cut out, me bucko, me hearties, and t' motor mount assembly slides up into t' notches. Avast! Begad! The instructions direct t' builder t' sand t' notches with a piece o' sandpaper wrapped around a spent motor casin' until t' assembly fits snugly into t' end of t' body tube with t' centerin' rin' flush with t' tube end. Begad! Arrr! I had t' sand off an additional 3/16" before I was able t' get t' mount t' fit properly, but once it did, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, gluin' was easy and t' mount fit perfectly.

Each o' t' fins consists o' a main fin and a strake. T' instructions again are very clear about how t' ensure that t' wood grain is properly aligned for maximum strength. Ahoy! Begad! Because t' forward edges o' t' main fins are angled, ya bilge rat, the trailin' edge o' t' strake must make an equal angle, me bucko, which may prove difficult if t' angle had been altered slightly durin' t' sandin' process. Well, blow me down! Once t' two wood pieces are matched, me hearties, they join easily. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' main fins are attached first, and then t' strakes are attached along t' guide lines drawn earlier with the fin markin' guide.

All parts are extremely well made, and fit together very well. Arrr! Blimey!

Pros:
Very thorough instructions
Strong airframe

Cons:
Engine mount notches nay cut deep enough
Fin/Strake alignment may prove problematic

Finishing:
No special requirements or techniques are mentioned for t' finishin' o' this kit. Arrr! Ahoy! For those who desire t' replicate t' images on t' cover o' the packaging, a maskin' template is provided for t' numeral "3". Well, blow me down! No decals are provided.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' kit packagin' recommends either B6-4's or C6-5's, as long as you use 3 of the same kind. Ahoy! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey!

I launched mine on C6-5's, and for t' first two flights, me hearties, only two o' the three motors ignited, due t' a faulty clip-whip. Despite t' loss o' thrust, the rocket still flew beautifully and t' ejection was well timed. Blimey! Once I was able t' get all 3 t' light, matey, me hearties, it flew even more beautifully than I could imagine. It truly be amazing.

Recovery:
T' only problem I have with t' flight was t' recovery system. Aye aye! It utilizes a paper tri-fold for securin' an elastic strap t' t' inside o' t' body tube. T' parachute itself is also a thin plastic and uses cotton threads for shrouds. Ya scallywag! This system, ya bilge rat, while simple, me bucko, has also proven problematic in t' past over repeated launches.

Pros:
Outstandin' design, even on a failed motor
Beautiful flights

Cons:
Recovery system could be more robust

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket is an outstandin' introduction into t' enjoyment o' clustering. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! It is designed so well that even when only 2 o' 3 motors ignite, arrr, it still flies straight! Blimey! T' construction is very well guided through copious illustrations.

T' Tres will inspire wide-eyed stares from onlookers as you walk it t' the launch pad, me hearties, and will evoke ooh's, me hearties, ahh's and wow's once airborne. Begad! Well, blow me down! A definite must for any rocket collection.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5