Brief
A "D" engine powered pop-pod boost glider constructed primarily out of foam-core. Avast!

Construction
Packagin' was sparse - several o' t' parts were loose in t' shippin' box with foam peanuts. Ahoy! T' instructions are also sparse, but complete enough t' use. Begad! The pre-cut foam-core parts already had t' edge taped. I could have spent a little time and done a cleaner job, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, but it did nay affect t' performance. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! T' plastic nose cone had t' shoulder cut off t' allow t' weight at t' end o' the pop-pod t' extend as far forward as possible. Ahoy! I would have just cut off the bottom and left t' shoulder. Avast! T' pop-pod was also pre-constructed, arrr, me bucko, this could have been left for t' builder t' do. T' model went together easily. Arrr! Avast! T' only omission from t' instructions was riggin' t' paper-clip mount for t' rubber band.

T' foam core win' pieces are glued together, and then taped at t' joints for strength. Begad! Aye aye! This is easy t' do and works well. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' nose cone is taped on with a heavy metallic tape which also serves as nose weight - again, this would have been easier and neater if t' shoulder were left on. Blimey! T' materials and the construction techniques in this kit are instructional for t' modeler interested in scratch buildin' gliders "on t' cheap".

PRO: complete and easy t' assemble
CON: slightly rough appearance

Finishing
T' "rough" appearance carries over into finishing. T' taped wing edges, while needed for durability, make a "perfect" finish difficult. Begad! T' large foam-core win' area allows for a strikin' finish if desired. I would recommend some kind o' finishing, me bucko, as plain white can be difficult t' see in some conditions. Well, blow me down! Avast! Foam-core is easy t' paint, me hearties, and needs no primer. Aye aye! Avast! Definitely looks better at a distance. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag!

Construction Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5

Flight
Recommended Motor: D12-3 Motors
Used: D12-3, me bucko, shiver me timbers, D12-5, E15-4

Preparation for flight is simple - just tape in t' motor - an engine hook would be nice but is nay necessary, then wrap t' trash-bag streamer around the pod and insert t' pod in t' glider - a plastic coated paper clip holds the win' down durin' boost. Arrr! Ahoy! This model is different than t' "normal" boost glider in that t' entire back half o' t' win' elevates for glide. Arrr! Well, blow me down! It looks strange, but works very well. Blimey! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' model looks kind o' clunky with the square edges o' t' foam core and I was prepared for a disappointin' glide. Avast! I was surprised at how well it glided. This seems t' be very forgivin' o' trim - it glides well enough even if nay trimmed "perfectly".

Recovery
T' boost is straight, and it glides amazingly well for such a "clunky looking" thing. As it ejects t' pod it does a cute little flip and transitions t' glide. Ahoy!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary
This has become a favorite because o' it easy flights and consistently good performance. In spite o' its "clunky" appearance on t' ground, it looks good in t' air. Begad! Well, blow me down! It is big enough that it really gets noticed at launches.
Pros: Consistently good flights.
Cons: Kit a little "rough"

Note: Pictures courtesy o' Paul Gray

Overall Rating: 4 ½ out o' 5