Brief:
Old skill level 2 Estes kit that be introduced in 1971 as a Citation Series kit and continued in production through 1986. Blimey! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Always wanted one back in me first incarnation as a rocketeer, and decided t' clone one when I came across an old Mean Machine nose cone. Usin' that cone and me "bin-o-parts" made clonin' t' kit a snap.

Construction:
Instructions (downloaded from JimZ) were typical Estes in quality but decidedly more fun with t' "fake German language" stuff -- check JimZ if you don't know what I'm talkin' about. Begad! Ya scallywag! You may also want t' check out t' plans for t' Der Big Red Max, as they contain many o' t' dimensions for both kits. Ahoy! I cut a piece o' BT-60 t' 9 1/8" per t' plans, me bucko, arrr, and cut t' fins from 1/8" balsa. Begad! Blimey! I debated for awhile whether t' put in a 24mm motor mount, arrr, but decided t' keep it stock and use RMS if I wanted a D launch (more on that later). Construction be typical 3FNC accordin' t' t' instructions, shiver me timbers, usin' carpenter's wood glue throughout. Avast! Avast! White glue was used for filleting.

Finishing:
I used Elmer's Fill'n'Finish for fillin' t' seams and t' balsa grain. Begad! After sanding, matey, shiver me timbers, I used a few coats o' primer sandin' betwixt coats. Finish coat was gloss red Wal-Mart brand on t' bottom section, shiver me timbers, and gloss black Wal-Mart brand for t' nose cone. Blimey! I had t' do some sandin' on t' old nose cone t' get a nice smooth finish. Begad! Arrr! I noticed some thin spots durin' this process but didn't think anythin' about it at t' time. Well, matey, blow me down! T' decals were ordered from JimZ and were excellent (I also highly recommend Tom Prestia's decals). Ahoy! Blimey! T' finished product looks great and never fails t' generate a comment or two from BARs when I fly it at t' local GAMMA section launches.

Construction Rating: 5

Flight:
Engine retention is typical Estes motor clip, although as is me practice I used a dremel cut-off wheel t' cut off t' extra on t' hook. Arrr! I then mount t' hook with t' cut part internal so t' setup looks like t' old Estes hooks. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Original Estes recommended motors (per 1984 catalog) are B4-2 (1st), B4-4, matey, B6-2, B6-4, shiver me timbers, arrr, B8-5, C6-5, shiver me timbers, and C6-7. Avast, me proud beauty! My first flight was 20 Dec 98 at t' GAMMA monthly launch, ya bilge rat, me bucko, on a C6-5. After preppin' with cellulose wadding, shiver me timbers, it was ready t' go. Begad! Flight be really nice, although nay as high as I had expected. And o' course it generated a lot o' comments as these are nay seen that often but everyone pretty much knows them. T' same day I launched it on a D13-7 reload, and t' flight be AWESOME! However, matey, t' old nose cone just couldn't handle t' air pressure from t' hotter motor and ended up crackin' in several places (see pictures). Messed up t' finish some, but what t' heck -- it be a great flight. Blimey! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' date t' rocket has flown 10 times, all on C6-3/5 engines except t' one reload flight. Well, blow me down! Avast! All flights have been excellent; generally very straight and little if any weathercocking.

Recovery:
Shock cord is typical Estes paper mount, with a long piece o' 3/8" sewin' elastic, attached t' t' nose cone with a snap swivel. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! An 18" parachute is attached t' t' nose cone with another swivel. Avast! Piece o' cake. Well, blow me down! Recovery has been very good every time. Yet t' sustain any damage (due t' recovery anyway), although t' 18" chute is somewhat large and I've gotten a lot o' drift on windy days. Begad! A 12" chute would probably work well also.

Flight Rating: 5

Summary:
This is a great rocket and a great conversation piece among all t' BARs out thar who remember it as one o' t' all-time favorites from Estes. Blimey! Blimey! Even though it's only a 3FNC rocket, it's dimensions and decor make it a great lookin' rocket. Blimey! Blimey! PRO: looks, shiver me timbers, nostalgia, shiver me timbers, simple t' build, ya bilge rat, flies nicely. Ahoy! Arrr! Blimey! CON: (reaching) 12" chute might be better, especially in wind; old nose cone can't handle RMS flights.

Overall Rating: 5