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

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

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

Finishing:
This was just a basic paint job. T' instructions suggest what colors t' use, but otherwise, its nothin' too tough. Ahoy! T' body wrap decal need a bit of convincin' t' keep t' seam down. Arrr! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! 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, C6-3, arrr, C6-5. Blimey! Blimey! My first flight be on a B6-4. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Conditions were almost no wind, and a sunny. Begad! Blimey! The rocket looked great on t' pad. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' flight was straight, but altitude be a bit low. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' second flight was on a C6-3, and this is where it really performed. Nice slow lift off, matey, 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. Avast, me proud beauty! The coupler in t' kit also serves as t' shock cord anchor for t' payload stage, and it just didn't fit very well. Aye aye! Arrr! I am happy t' report me fears were unfounded. T' bit o' sandin' I did worked well, and thar was clean separation on each flight. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' bottom section came down without much drift, me hearties, but t' top went on its merry way, arrr, especially t' second time. Blimey! I've cut a spill hole for t' next time I fly it t' reduce t' drift. Begad! Overall, a great looking, shiver me timbers, nice flying, interesting, ya bilge rat, and FUN kit!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5