Brief:
Re-release o' a classic Estes rocket! Blimey! 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 was betwixt t' age o' 6 and 8, and my grandfather had given me $20 for me birthday. Avast, me proud beauty! My parents took me t' a mall and I was in Kay-Bee Toy and Hobbies. I was tryin' t' find somethin' t' spend me loot on, matey, then I saw t' model rockets. I remember a few years prior t' that my parents bought some model rocket stuff, shiver me timbers, flew some, but then me twin brother got very sick. Shortly after he recovered, my Dad changed jobs so we moved...and rockets were forgotten. Avast! I saw t' Der Red Max and thought it looked cool. Avast! My dad, however suggested I get a different rocket because he felt that it was too small for t' motors he still had. Ahoy! Avast! Instead, I chose an Estes Marauder. Blimey! Begad! That was 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. Arrr! T' large fins are laser cut but you will still need t' use a knife t' loosen them. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! You also get two nice lookin' waterslide decal sheets that have a paper sleeve t' protect them. I did nay like t' centerin' rings. Well, blow me down! T' me, matey, shiver me timbers, they seemed t' be flimsy. Well, blow me down! Also, shiver me timbers, 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. Aye aye! Blimey! I made sure I gave t' joints some extra fillets in case I decide t' stick a D13 in t' motor tube. Arrr! Blimey!

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

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

When t' paint dried, it be time for t' decals. Arrr! Care had t' be taken when handlin' these waterslide decals. Ya scallywag! The film was very thin and wanted t' bunch up. Arrr! Aye aye! If t' film bunched up, ya bilge rat, arrr, me hearties, it creates a crease, and is impossible t' straighten out. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Other than wantin' t' bunch, they went on without a hitch. Ahoy! I love t' optional "Kills" decal and I made sure it made it on one o' t' fins o' me model. Once t' decals were dry, I finished me Red Max with Future Floor Polish. Aye aye! 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. 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, me hearties, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but thar be no damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this is a great kit. Every collection should have one. Begad! Well, blow me down! Take your time, me hearties, sand where things are too tight, wrap tape around things too loose, shiver me timbers, and be careful with those decals!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5