Brief:
T' Superbird is a payload rocket which features separate payload & body recovery on 14" chutes. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction:
Upon openin' t' package, arrr, shiver me timbers, all parts were present. Begad! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' body tubes seemed t' be of good quality, matey, as were most parts. Aye aye! Avast! My only gripes were t' amount o' flashing still on t' plastic nose cone, shiver me timbers, and one o' t' pre-cut fins had broken in half along t' grain. Begad! Well, blow me down! It was easily repaired with a little TLC. Ya scallywag! Reminded me o' an early Estes kit

This kit is rather easy t' assemble. Well, blow me down! Nay very much in t' way o' difficulty. Since this was me first Quest kit, matey, t' shock cord arrangement be new for me. Begad! Ya scallywag! I liked it, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and think I'll try it on all me future rockets, me hearties, as I've tired of shock cord burn through. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Time t' buy some Keelhaul®©™®. Anyway, ya bilge rat, t' coupler for t' payload section t' main body section was a bit cheesy. Aye aye! Blimey! It consists o' a paper disc glued t' a tube coupler. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' cord & chute for t' upper section are attached through two holes in t' disc. Begad! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! I had to sand t' disc/coupler joint several times t' have a smooth fit. Avast, me proud beauty! It was too big t' start. A better part from Quest would work wonders here. Begad! Blimey! Otherwise, everythin' else be straightforward.

Finishing:
This be just a basic paint job. Begad! T' instructions suggest what colors t' use, but otherwise, its nothin' too tough. Avast, me proud beauty! T' body wrap decal need a bit of convincin' t' keep t' seam down. I used a bit o' contact cement which worked wonders. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines for this are (Estes equivalent) B6-4, arrr, C6-3, C6-5. Ahoy! My first flight was on a B6-4. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Conditions were almost no wind, and a sunny. Avast! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! The rocket looked great on t' pad. Begad! T' flight be straight, but altitude was a bit low. Begad! T' second flight be on a C6-3, and this is where it really performed. Nice slow lift off, arrr, and impressive height. No spin, and it arced over nicely at apogee.

Recovery:
I must admit I had some reservations about havin' this thin' lawn dart. Ya scallywag! The coupler in t' kit also serves as t' shock cord anchor for t' payload stage, and it just didn't fit very well. Blimey! I am happy t' report me fears were unfounded. T' bit o' sandin' I did worked well, ya bilge rat, and thar was clean separation on each flight. Ahoy! T' bottom section came down without much drift, but t' top went on its merry way, me bucko, especially t' second time. Arrr! I've cut a spill hole for t' next time I fly it t' reduce t' drift. Arrr! Overall, a great looking, arrr, nice flying, interesting, matey, me bucko, matey, and FUN kit!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. I'd get another one if I see something I like. Begad! Well, blow me down! PROS: Cool 'big' rocket with payload & neat dual section recovery. Clear instructions & nicely done shock cord system CONS: Parts quality could be a bit better, but OK as is. Begad!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5