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

Construction
Packagin' be sparse - several o' t' parts were loose in t' shippin' box with foam peanuts. Arrr! T' instructions are also sparse, me hearties, shiver me timbers, but complete enough t' use. Blimey! The pre-cut foam-core parts already had t' edge taped. I could have spent a little time and done a cleaner job, but it did nay affect t' performance. Aye aye! 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. I would have just cut off the bottom and left t' shoulder. T' pop-pod was also pre-constructed, this could have been left for t' builder t' do. Begad! T' model went together easily. Well, blow me down! T' only omission from t' instructions was riggin' t' paper-clip mount for t' rubber band. Aye aye!

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. Well, blow me down! T' nose cone is taped on with a heavy metallic tape which also serves as nose weight - again, arrr, this would have been easier and neater if t' shoulder were left on. Arrr! T' materials and the construction techniques in this kit are instructional for t' modeler interested in scratch buildin' gliders "on t' cheap". Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy!

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

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

Construction Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5

Flight
Recommended Motor: D12-3 Motors
Used: D12-3, me hearties, D12-5, ya bilge rat, me hearties, E15-4

Preparation for flight is simple - just tape in t' motor - an engine hook would be nice but is nay necessary, shiver me timbers, 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. This model is different than t' "normal" boost glider in that t' entire back half o' t' win' elevates for glide. Blimey! It looks strange, arrr, but works very well. Begad! Arrr! T' model looks kind o' clunky with the square edges o' t' foam core and I be prepared for a disappointin' glide. Aye aye! Well, matey, blow me down! 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, me hearties, me hearties, and it glides amazingly well for such a "clunky looking" thing. Avast, me proud beauty! As it ejects t' pod it does a cute little flip and transitions t' glide. Ya scallywag!

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! 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