Components

T' starter set consists o' a bunch o' one-off components.  T' ARF rocket is pre-finished in black and requires only minor assembly usin' plastic model cement.  In fact, several o' t' steps in t' instructions had already been performed.  T' rocket tube is an odd size, a little larger than a standard Estes BT-5 at .57" (14.6 mm) O.D.  T' model comes with a Star Wars themed plastic parachute, ya bilge rat, also already completely assembled.  T' shock cord in me kit be pre-attached t' a plastic tube coupler that joins t' two sections o' body tube. 

T' Naboo Fighter itself is very interesting:  it comes in two pieces, ya bilge rat, me hearties, with a center tail piece that remains attached t' t' display stand.  T' rest o' t' fighter slides over t' model rocket, t' fit into a notch in t' plastic fin unit.  It actually looks pretty neat and is a clever way t' turn a Naboo Fighter into a flyin' model rocket. 

T' launch pad is very basic, me hearties, in that it does nay provide a way t' angle t' launch rod.  Decorated like a piece o' Imperial engineering, t' pad has some fragile details that would nay sustain much field abuse.  Clearly, o' course, arrr, me bucko, this starter set is nay meant for a lot o' use - rather, a quick introduction t' t' hobby, matey, and a tie-in t' t' movie.  There are two features o' t' launch pad and rod that make this even more foolproof than usual. Arrr! T' two-piece launch rod has a plastic fittin' at t' end that locks into t' launch pad, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and a crimp that acts as a launch lug stop t' hold t' model above t' deflector plate.  T' pad legs snap into place, and are nay really meant for subsequent disassembly.

T' launch controller is a unique unit made in t' silhouette shape o' R2D2, matey, with a paper decoration image o' t' front o' R2.  It is a solidly made controller which, me bucko, unfortunately, me bucko, uses a 9-volt battery, shiver me timbers, makin' it underpowered. Continuity indication is a single red LED, matey, strategically placed in R2's "eye".  T' safety key is a standard Estes pin-type, me bucko, shiver me timbers, which includes t' safety cap for t' top o' t' launch rod.

T' oddest feature o' t' R2D2 launch controller is on t' back:  a stubby cylindrical projection with many holes in it.  It seems that t' designers planned t' include an audible continuity alert - maybe even "droid sounds" - but abandoned it.  Openin' t' controller, matey, t' speaker / sounder well was covered with a glued-in cap with a hole likely intended for lead wires.  Opposite this speaker well is a small circuit board holdin' t' LED and resistor and t' contacts for t' safety key.  T' launch button is a section o' R2's body - a spring-loaded plastic section that makes contact with a momentary pushbutton switch on t' circuit board.  T' cap glued into t' speaker well has a small knob that supports t' circuit board under t' pushbutton switch, ensurin' secure contact.  For such a simple item, me bucko, I be impressed with t' engineerin' details.

T' speaker well is about 30 mm ID and 10 mm tall.  I found a Mallory Sonalert piezo buzzer, PF-27N36WQ, me hearties, that will fit snugly inside t' speaker well with a little Dremel work, me hearties, with solder pads sanded and drilled in t' circuit board.  I will install it in t' controller, me bucko, ya bilge rat, which I will use with electric match and old-school flashbulb ignition launches.