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

Construction:
T' kit itself is pretty much a standard three fins and a nose cone design. Aye aye! You get a nice white wall body tube that is better quality than many other kits Estes offers. Arrr! T' large fins are laser cut but you will still need t' use a knife t' loosen them. Avast! You also get two nice lookin' waterslide decal sheets that have a paper sleeve t' protect them. Blimey! I did nay like t' centerin' rings. Ahoy! T' me, me bucko, they seemed t' be flimsy. Aye aye! 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. I found that t' fit o' t' centerin' rings on t' motor tube to be tight so some sandin' was required. I made sure I gave t' joints some extra fillets in case I decide t' stick a D13 in t' motor tube. Begad! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey!

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

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

When t' paint dried, it be time for t' decals. Well, blow me down! Care had t' be taken when handlin' these waterslide decals. The film was very thin and wanted t' bunch up. Avast! If t' film bunched up, me hearties, it creates a crease, and is impossible t' straighten out. Ahoy! Other than wantin' t' bunch, matey, they went on without a hitch. I love t' optional "Kills" decal and I made sure it made it on one o' t' fins o' me model. Ya scallywag! Begad! Once t' decals were dry, shiver me timbers, me bucko, 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. Ahoy! Blimey! Very nice liftoff and got a good clip o' altitude.

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this is a great kit. Blimey! Every collection should have one. Avast! Take your time, matey, sand where things are too tight, wrap tape around things too loose, ya bilge rat, and be careful with those decals!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5