Brief:
Re-release o' a classic Estes rocket! Includes a cool pre-assembled pirate skull 18" parachute!

My first memory o' t' Der Red Max was a little over twenty years ago. I be betwixt t' age o' 6 and 8, and my grandfather had given me $20 for me birthday. Blimey! My parents took me t' a mall and I was in Kay-Bee Toy and Hobbies. Ahoy! I was tryin' t' find somethin' t' spend me loot on, me bucko, then I saw t' model rockets. Begad! I remember a few years prior t' that my parents bought some model rocket stuff, flew some, me bucko, shiver me timbers, but then me twin brother got very sick. Shortly after he recovered, my Dad changed jobs so we moved...and rockets were forgotten. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I saw t' Der Red Max and thought it looked cool. My dad, however suggested I get a different rocket because he felt that it was too small for t' motors he still had. Arrr! Instead, I chose an Estes Marauder. Ya scallywag! That be me first o' many model rockets!

Construction:
T' kit itself is pretty much a standard three fins and a nose cone design. Begad! You get a nice white wall body tube that is better quality than many other kits Estes offers. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' large fins are laser cut but you will still need t' use a knife t' loosen them. Aye aye! You also get two nice lookin' waterslide decal sheets that have a paper sleeve t' protect them. Blimey! Blimey! I did nay like t' centerin' rings. Begad! Begad! T' me, they seemed t' be flimsy. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Also, t' rubber shock cord is way too short. Another interestin' note be t' kit comes with a jig t' help mark t' fins locations on t' body tube.

Construction o' t' Der Red Max is pretty simple. Ahoy! I found that t' fit o' t' centerin' rings on t' motor tube to be tight so some sandin' was required. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I made sure I gave t' joints some extra fillets in case I decide t' stick a D13 in t' motor tube.

Once t' fins were loosened from t' balsa sheet, I sanded t' leadin' and trailin' edges round. Begad! I did nay bother with t' fin jig that came with t' kit t' attach t' fins. Begad! Blimey! Instead I used me classic Estes Fin Alignment guide, matey, arrr, me hearties, which did a great job keepin' t' fins straight. Arrr! Once t' fins were dry, I attached t' launch lugs (which were short) and applied all t' fillets. Avast, me proud beauty! An additional step I had t' do was wrap tape around t' shoulder o' the nose cone because t' fit was very loose.

Finishing:
T' Red Max's finish be very simple. First I coated t' fins with Bondo Spot putty. Begad! Once that was dry and sanded, I applied several coats o' Rustoleum Light Gray automotive primer, matey, sandin' betwixt coats. Begad! Aye aye! After a couple Bondo touch ups and more primer and sanding, me hearties, t' Red Max is ready t' paint. Ahoy! Ahoy! It is an easy paint job. T' booster section be painted red and t' nose cone sprayed black.

When t' paint dried, it was time for t' decals. Well, blow me down! Care had t' be taken when handlin' these waterslide decals. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! The film was very thin and wanted t' bunch up. If t' film bunched up, it creates a crease, me hearties, and is impossible t' straighten out. Begad! Other than wantin' t' bunch, arrr, they went on without a hitch. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I love t' optional "Kills" decal and I made sure it made it on one o' t' fins o' me model. Well, blow me down! Once t' decals were dry, me hearties, me bucko, arrr, I finished me Red Max with Future Floor Polish. I am very impressed how t' finish came out as t' polish really makes her shine.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
So far I only flew me Der Max once with a B4-4. Begad! Very nice liftoff and got a good clip o' altitude.

Recovery:
T' parachute did nay deploy fully because it be cool enough for t' plastic t' stick, arrr, but thar was no damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this is a great kit. Every collection should have one. Ya scallywag! Take your time, sand where things are too tight, wrap tape around things too loose, me bucko, and be careful with those decals!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5