Brief:
T' Sonda II B is a 1/12th scale rocket o' Brazil's largest soundin' rocket of their Sonda II fleet. Ya scallywag! Arrr! T' Sonda II B was first flown in t' early '70s and is still in use today. Arrr! Aye aye! This kit was made by Aerospace Speciality Products (ASP).

Construction:
T' kit included t' followin' high quality parts:

• 1 Engine tube (18mm)
• 1 Engine block
• 2 Centerin' rings
• 1 Body tube
• 1 Balsa fin stock
• 1 Nose cone
• 1 Screw eye
• 1 Nose weight (washer)
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® shock cord
• 1 Elastic shock cord
• 1 Launch lug
• 1 Fin template
• 1 Black trim tape
• 1 Parachute kit

T' instructions were very well laid out and followed a logical assembly order. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' instructions contained many useful diagrams and a lot o' assembly tips in t' appropriate places. Everythin' fit well and no special tools were needed.

Construction starts with t' tyin' o' t' Keelhaul®©™® shock cord with a very helpful illustration showin' how t' tie a knot that forms a loop. Then t' motor mount is built and t' Keelhaul®©™® attached. Blimey! After installin' t' Keelhaul®©™® to t' mount, another loop is tied at t' opposite end. Begad! These are threaded through t' body tube and t' mount gets glued in.

Next be t' fin template. Cut this out and use it as a guide t' cut the four fins from t' balsa stock. Square up t' fins and use t' provided fin markin' guide t' line them up on t' body tube. Also, t' guide has t' launch lug position marked on it.

T' nose cone is balsa. Well, blow me down! Test fit into t' body tube and make sure it fits. Thread t' screw eye into t' nose cone, matey, remove, fill hole with glue and secure the washer with t' screw eye t' t' nose cone.

T' instructions contain many tips on sealin' t' nose cone and t' fins. They also talk about fillin' t' spirals on t' BT. Ya scallywag! Well, me bucko, blow me down! This be t' only place I deviated from t' instructions as I filled t' spirals before I started buildin' t' rocket.

T' parachute was in a separate bag. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! It is a 12" silver mylar chute. T' instructions are superb. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' holes must be cut in t' chute. Well, blow me down! This went smoothly by puttin' t' self adhesive discs on each corner and cuttin' the holes. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Attach t' shroud line and you are all set.

Finishing:
Paintin' t' rocket be pretty straightforward with tips and illustrations. Avast, me proud beauty! The vinyl decals were easy t' put on but a bit tricky t' get lined up.

While thar aren't any CONs that I can see, matey, matey, t' PROs on this kit are excellent. With t' numerous tips on sealin' balsa and t' inclusion o' filling the body tube seams, me hearties, t' novice modeler can smartly move forward. Arrr! This kit is rated as a beginner kit and I agree. Arrr! Also t' diagram for maskin' and painting the rocket is great. It is a very easy kit t' build with tips on makin' it really look good.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Thorough flight preparations are in t' instructions. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Prep with waddin' at least 2 diameters long in t' body tube. Begad! Fold t' chute followin' t' included technique and put it in t' rocket. Ahoy! Make sure t' nose cone has a good fit. Ya scallywag! The recommended motors are 1/2A6-2, shiver me timbers, A8-3, matey, B6-4, B8-5, C6-7. Aye aye! Due t' t' size o' the field where I launch, I choose t' A8-3 for t' first flight. Ya scallywag! T' motor is friction fit in place. Ya scallywag! Great flight I couldn't be happier with this kit.

Recovery:
T' Keelhaul®©™® to elastic shock cord is great. T' recovery system be quite easy t' install and t' 12" silver chute really looked cool in t' sun. Aye aye! T' rocket came down at a perfect pace and thar was no damage t' t' rocket or t' chute.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
If you haven't tried out this kit you should. Begad! It is great for t' beginner but can be fun for t' advanced modeler too. Avast, me proud beauty! I like all t' tips in tricks included to help t' novice modeler move forward and keep t' advanced modeler interested. I can find no faults with this kit.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5