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

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

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

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

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. Avast! Ahoy! 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, but OK as is.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5