Intro

T' Venom model rocket kit is a basic sport rocket with a unique nose cone and snake graphics t' set it apart from t' rest o' t' four-fins-and-a-nose-cone sport rockets. Aye aye! This be a Father-Son project with me 12 year old son doin' all o' t' work with t' exception o' paintin' t' model. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' style o' t' rocket appeals t' this age group, me bucko, I like t' looks as well.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

This is your basic Estes rocket kit. It came in t' clear plastic bag, with all o' t' parts intact and none damaged. Aye aye! T' kit consists o' a paper tube for t' body, me bucko, a sheet o' die cut balsa fins, motor mount, arrr, me bucko, parachute, shock cord, ya bilge rat, me hearties, a plastic nose cone, arrr, arrr, and a sheet o' self adhesive decals.

T' instructions are printed on one 11 by 17 and one 8.5 by 11 inch piece o' paper. Well, blow me down! Blimey! They are t' typical Estes instructions, copiously illustrated, logically laid out and easy t' follow. Begad! Blimey! T' Venon is an easy t' build kit. It is in Estes' beta series rated as a skill level 1.

All o' t' parts fit together well, ya bilge rat, and t' kit is a straight-forward construction. Begad! T' only critical step be t' attachment o' t' through-the-wall fins. Avast! Begad! Step 6 shows that a "small gap" should be left, this be t' thickness o' t' body tube. Ya scallywag! No mention o' this is in t' instructions, me hearties, as t' body tube could be used t' gauge t' gap. Avast, me proud beauty! In any event, t' resultant fin-body tube-motor mount assembly is very sturdy. It will survive many hard landings and still give you years o' service.

My son decided t' round t' edges o' t' fins, this gives t' rocket a better appearance than t' squared edges. Well, blow me down! Begad! Your basic rocket buildin' tools are needed, me bucko, shiver me timbers, hobby knife, shiver me timbers, scissors, me bucko, sandpaper and glue, no special tools are needed.

Finishin' t' rocket is as simple as paintin' t' body and fins red, matey, shiver me timbers, me bucko, and t' nose cone black. Aye aye! T' decals take care o' t' rest. Aye aye! Arrr! T' instructions even show t' shock cord attachment after t' two parts are painted separate colors, ya bilge rat, that is an example o' how logically t' instructions are laid out. Avast! I coated t' rocket with a clear gloss coat after t' decals were applied, matey, me hearties, this keeps them from curling, shiver me timbers, me bucko, as well as givin' t' whole rocket that shiny appearance that is in t' Estes literature. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' unique nose cone and decals set this model apart from your standard 4F&NC rocket kit.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

T' Venom uses t' well known folded paper shock cord mount and a parachute for recovery. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Standard preparation instructions are included in t' kit, which calls for three squares o' ejection wadding.

T' recommended motors are the: A8-3, B4-4, shiver me timbers, matey, B6-4, matey, me bucko, B6-6, C6-5, matey, and C6-7.

T' motor is held in place with a metal clip, which allows quick release o' t' motor and easy prep for flight. Begad! Blimey! We have used t' A8-3 and B6-4 motors t' date. Ahoy! Arrr! T' flights were great with parachute ejection close t' apogee, t' parachute is sized correctly and gives a slow stable descent t' t' rocket. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' sturdy through t' wall fin construction makes certain that this rocket will fly another day, arrr, even if t' parachute doesn't work.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Everythin' considered, me bucko, this is an interestin' variation on t' basic rocket. Avast! T' younger generation will enjoy t' snake graphics and all will enjoy t' sturdy construction. Aye aye! This is an excellent starter rocket as it is easy t' build, arrr, large enough t' see well, but still small enough t' really move on a C6-7 (Estes claims 1100 feet), me hearties, me hearties, and has parachute recovery.