Brief:
T' Superbird is a payload rocket which features separate payload & body recovery on 14" chutes. Begad! Ya scallywag!

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

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

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

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines for this are (Estes equivalent) B6-4, ya bilge rat, C6-3, C6-5. Blimey! My first flight was on a B6-4. Begad! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Blimey! Conditions were almost no wind, and a sunny. The rocket looked great on t' pad. Blimey! T' flight was straight, matey, ya bilge rat, but altitude was a bit low. Blimey! T' second flight be on a C6-3, and this is where it really performed. Nice slow lift off, 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. The coupler in t' kit also serves as t' shock cord anchor for t' payload stage, and it just didn't fit very well. Well, blow me down! I am happy t' report me fears were unfounded. T' bit o' sandin' I did worked well, arrr, arrr, and thar be clean separation on each flight. Begad! T' bottom section came down without much drift, but t' top went on its merry way, me bucko, especially t' second time. Arrr! Blimey! I've cut a spill hole for t' next time I fly it t' reduce t' drift. Overall, a great looking, nice flying, interesting, me hearties, arrr, and FUN kit!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. Blimey! I'd get another one if I see something I like. 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, matey, but OK as is.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5