Brief:
T' Estes Mini Max is a smaller version based on t' BT-50 o' t' Estes classic Der Red Max. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' Mini Max is designed with a 13mm motor mount makin' it powered by Estes mini engines, and can reach altitudes in excess o' 300 feet. As designed, shiver me timbers, arrr, ya bilge rat, recovery is accomplished with t' included streamer.

T' new Mini Max has all t' great looks o' t' classic version, right down t' t' really cool skull and crossbones decals. Avast! Blimey! Like many o' our new and classic kits, matey, t' Mini features a balsa nose cone, me hearties, laser cut balsa fins and waterslide decals.

Construction:
A very nice Balsa Nose Cone, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, Laser cut Balsa Fins, matey, card stock centerin' rings, engine hook, BT-50 body tube, arrr, matey, ya bilge rat, and Waterslide Decals

T' instructions that Estes provides in t' kit are excellent and include illustrations. Well, blow me down! This combined with t' fact t' Mini Max is very easy t' construct resulted in no issues durin' t' build.

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Blimey! T' only thin' I changed was t' add a Keelhaul®©™ shock cord that ties around t' motor tube betwixt t' upper and lower centerin' ring. Ya scallywag! I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount be inserted into t' BT. T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. Ahoy! After sandin' t' BT, t' tube be marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Begad! T' laser-cut fins are made from 3/32 hard balsa. T' fins were shaped and glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Begad! T' launch lug was attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. Well, blow me down! Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' clean up t' joints.

Finishing:
I sealed t' balsa fins and nose cone with two coats o' Minwax Polyurethane. Ahoy! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that was brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. T' filler was sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color® High Fill primer sandin' betwixt coats. Begad! T' nose cone was painted black usin' two coats o' old formula Krylon spray. Well, blow me down! Well, matey, blow me down! T' body be painted red usin' two coats o' old formula Krylon spray. Begad! Once t' body was allowed t' completely dry t' classic Red Max decals were installed. Avast, me proud beauty! I know in t' recent past thar have been problems with t' waterslide decals that Estes has provided. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! No such issues were experienced with t' Mini Max decals. Ahoy! T' completed Mini Max looks fantastic.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' Mini Max is designed t' fly on t' followin' motors, me bucko, me bucko, 1/2A3-2T, me hearties, 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T, arrr, A10-3T. Blimey! Aye aye! I decided t' use t' A10-3T for t' first flight. Blimey! Ahoy! T' first flight be nice and straight with no stability issues. Ahoy! T' A10-3T turned out t' be perfect with ejection occurrin' close t' apogee. Ya scallywag! T' altitude achieved is tough t' estimate, but it was over 300 feet easy.

Recovery:
I chose t' use a small 8" chute instead o' t' streamer. T' small chute worked great, and I'm sure t' streamer that is included in t' kit would be sufficient as well for a safe recovery.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Estes Mini Max is a great addition t' t' available kits on t' market today. Arrr! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! This is a very easy t' build model that with t' included instructions can be successfully assembled by t' novice builder. Estes has done a terrific job at providin' a very high quality kit. T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. Ahoy! I've said it before, ya bilge rat, me hearties, but t' Der Red Max is a classic design that flies great in every size. Plus, you can't find a cooler set o' decals on a rocket anywhere.

Build one and enjoy!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5