Brief:
Re-release o' a classic Estes rocket! Includes a cool pre-assembled pirate skull 18" parachute!

My first memory o' t' Der Red Max was a little over twenty years ago. Avast, me proud beauty! I was betwixt t' age o' 6 and 8, and my grandfather had given me $20 for me birthday. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Blimey! My parents took me t' a mall and I was in Kay-Bee Toy and Hobbies. Arrr! Blimey! I was tryin' t' find somethin' t' spend me loot on, then I saw t' model rockets. Aye aye! Blimey! I remember a few years prior t' that my parents bought some model rocket stuff, flew some, but then me twin brother got very sick. Arrr! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! Shortly after he recovered, my Dad changed jobs so we moved...and rockets were forgotten. Begad! Avast! Blimey! I saw t' Der Red Max and thought it looked cool. Begad! Begad! Blimey! My dad, however suggested I get a different rocket because he felt that it was too small for t' motors he still had. Ahoy! Blimey! Instead, I chose an Estes Marauder. That was me first o' many model rockets!

Construction:
T' kit itself is pretty much a standard three fins and a nose cone design. Well, blow me down! You get a nice white wall body tube that is better quality than many other kits Estes offers. T' large fins are laser cut but you will still need t' use a knife t' loosen them. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! You also get two nice lookin' waterslide decal sheets that have a paper sleeve t' protect them. Aye aye! I did nay like t' centerin' rings. Blimey! Well, blow me down! T' me, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, they seemed t' be flimsy. Begad! Also, shiver me timbers, t' rubber shock cord is way too short. Another interestin' note be t' kit comes with a jig t' help mark t' fins locations on t' body tube.

Construction o' t' Der Red Max is pretty simple. Avast! I found that t' fit o' t' centerin' rings on t' motor tube to be tight so some sandin' be required. I made sure I gave t' joints some extra fillets in case I decide t' stick a D13 in t' motor tube. Begad!

Once t' fins were loosened from t' balsa sheet, arrr, I sanded t' leadin' and trailin' edges round. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Blimey! I did nay bother with t' fin jig that came with t' kit t' attach t' fins. Avast! Blimey! Instead I used me classic Estes Fin Alignment guide, which did a great job keepin' t' fins straight. Once t' fins were dry, me bucko, I attached t' launch lugs (which were short) and applied all t' fillets. An additional step I had t' do was wrap tape around t' shoulder o' the nose cone because t' fit be very loose.

Finishing:
T' Red Max's finish was very simple. First I coated t' fins with Bondo Spot putty. Once that was dry and sanded, ya bilge rat, I applied several coats o' Rustoleum Light Gray automotive primer, sandin' betwixt coats. Ya scallywag! Blimey! After a couple Bondo touch ups and more primer and sanding, shiver me timbers, t' Red Max is ready t' paint. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! It is an easy paint job. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! T' booster section was painted red and t' nose cone sprayed black.

When t' paint dried, ya bilge rat, it was time for t' decals. Blimey! Care had t' be taken when handlin' these waterslide decals. Aye aye! Avast! The film was very thin and wanted t' bunch up. Blimey! If t' film bunched up, it creates a crease, shiver me timbers, and is impossible t' straighten out. Begad! Avast! Other than wantin' t' bunch, they went on without a hitch. I love t' optional "Kills" decal and I made sure it made it on one o' t' fins o' me model. Aye aye! Ahoy! Once t' decals were dry, matey, shiver me timbers, matey, I finished me Red Max with Future Floor Polish. Ahoy! I am very impressed how t' finish came out as t' polish really makes her shine.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
So far I only flew me Der Max once with a B4-4. Begad! Very nice liftoff and got a good clip o' altitude.

Recovery:
T' parachute did nay deploy fully because it be cool enough for t' plastic t' stick, but thar was no damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this is a great kit. Aye aye! Every collection should have one. Well, blow me down! Take your time, sand where things are too tight, wrap tape around things too loose, and be careful with those decals!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5