Note: This is a slightly shortened, arrr, me bucko, edited version o' Bob's article with fewer pictures. Visit Bob's site for all t' pictures and t' write him for t' fin template and comments.

I recently purchased t' Estes Moon Dog pre-fab rocket, while at a recent "After Christmas" feedin' frenzy on "Sale Items" in Enterprise Alabama. Aye aye! Arrr! It was t' only one o' t' new pre-fab rockets that hit the shelves this Christmas left. After readin' several comments on this particular rocket and t' pre-fab approach t' rocketry (Pro/Con), I thought a "Construction" article was well overdue. Arrr! T' followin' is me opinion only, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, and may nay be t' same as the Manufacturer or Design Engineers that created this rocket.

T' Package: T' packagin' is very nice looking, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and would "Catch" t' eye o' any passerby. The "READY TO FLY" in big, bold ;letters ensures t' prospective buyer; that no matter how 'inept" they me be, even they could fly this rocket. Blimey! T' "90's" spoiled-rotten child, me hearties, can see they would again have t' invest nothin' in it's construction, me hearties, thus allowin' more time for creative activities like - Video Games, or Music Videos. Begad! Oh, Estes - You've done it again!!!

Components: T' "Kit" consists of (1) one each "Vacuum Formed" plastic outer wrapper. Avast, me proud beauty! (1) one each "Cardboard Insert" with impressive "READY TO FLY" printed on it (Oh - also a little "moondog" letterin' is thar in the upper right corner. Ya scallywag! T' back outlines t' rockets impressive 200 Ft.. Well, blow me down! flight profile, me bucko, and shows recommended engines !! Blimey! T' part that still makes it a "Kit" - t' parachute pack. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Oops, me hearties, almost forgot t' 50's style, all plastic, super fantastic, shiver me timbers, orange rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Also, t' back panel has Estes address t' send your "Thank You" letter to.

Da Rocket: Let's take a look at t' "Zoom" part.. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' rocket itself has (3) three plastic parts, shiver me timbers, and (1) one elastic part. Well, blow me down! T' "Nose Cone", ya bilge rat, t' "Main Body", ya bilge rat, t' "Motor Retention Ring", and t' "Elastic Shock Cord". Blimey! (Shock Cord is already tied in place !!) we have been saved t' embarrassment o' messin' this up. Begad! Thank you, thank you, matey, me hearties, Mr. Avast! Tunik!!.

Recovery Device: T' Parachute is also already assembled. Aye aye! Begad! T' difficult task o' makin' equal lengths o' unruly strin' is gone. T' nearly impossible task o' placin' those "Sticky" dots in the exact location is gone. T' dangerous task o' usin' a sharp object t' pierce the plastic t' tie t' strin' in, is gone. Well, blow me down! Havin' t' tie a knot is no longer a reason for "pretendin' t' be sick" t' avoid t' stress o' this horrendous requirement. T' task o' "havin' fun in accomplishing something" IS GONE !!!!! Glory, Allelujah, t' FUN is GONE.

RTF Kit Assembly: Now t' hard part !! Although this rocket is advertised as bein' "Ready t' Fly", arrr, it requires some mighty complicated assembly. T' instructions tell you t' place t' parachute strin' about 1/4th t' way down t' elastic cord from t' nose cone. Ahoy! I'm already startin' t' sweat ! After several hours o' meditation, a call t' me Psychic Friends, and countless measurin' attempts, me hearties, I finally decided on this location for the "Tie Point". Arrr! My God, I hope it's right !!! P L L L E E E A A A S S E E.... Begad! Tell me it's OK !!!!

Parts Fit: T' Nose Cone fit so loose, that it resembled t' head o' one o' those stupid-lookin' plastic dogs you see in t' back window o' a 1982 Low-Rider Cadillac. Ya scallywag! It just kinda' flopped around a little. Arrr! Blimey! I had t' place a wrap o' tape around it t' get it t' fit properly. T' Motor Retention Rin' fit properly - Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.....

Motor Installation: There is no motor tube like in most other "Kit" rockets. Avast! T' motor goes into an area that has raised plastic rails for the motor t' slide into. Ya scallywag! T' Motor Retention Rin' worked like it should on mine, although I have read on rmr News Group that others could nay even get t' ring to go on. Avast! This fueled rumor o' a "Micro" motor for these rockets. Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! I think these rockets are for t' standard A10-3T type motor listed on the packaging. A longer than standard motor lot, or poor Quality Control on the rocket could be t' problem. Ahoy! Arrr! Anyway, mine fit properly. Avast, me proud beauty! (First positive comment - If you have noticed)

Flight Test Prep: T' rocket was prepped with an A10-3T; one o' t' recommended motors on t' back o' t' packing. Avast! The waddin' used be t' Cellulose insulation material. Begad! Here t' "Mighty Moondog" waits on t' gantry for t' countdown t' begin. Avast, me proud beauty! Sorta' makes your heart pound, arrr, arrr, ya bilge rat, doesn't it??

Launch !!: 5 - 4 - 3 - 2- 1..... Liftoff !!!! 

T' rocket angled into t' almost nonexistent wind and went approx. Well, blow me down! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! 150-175 ft. Ejection occurred at slightly after apogee, and the parachute opened properly, arrr, bringin' it down about 2 ft. Blimey! Blimey! from t' launch pad. Avast! No damage was done and t' rocket be returned safely. Aye aye! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' flight was straight after t' initial 40-50 ft. Aye aye! Aye aye! and it didn't fishtail or wobble or spin worth mentioning. If me livin' room ceilin' had been high enough, shiver me timbers, t' entire flight could have been flown thar with room t' spare. This would be a true "small field" rocket. Blimey! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Might be ok for kids if t' "Little" motors had a "Little" price. Ahoy! Arrr! It's hard t' spend that much for so "Little"....

Impressions: I'll be upfront with you; I don't like ARF rockets. Begad! Well, blow me down! I think it takes more away from t' hobby than it gives. Begad! It teaches nothing, and requires no investment o' time or energy. Aye aye! Arrr! I was brought back into t' rocketry hobby after years away from it due t' t' fact that I invested time and sweat into t' rockets I made. Well, blow me down! We used t' have buildin' sessions at each others house on Saturdays that would last all day. We exchanged ideas, arrr, matey, painted our rockets, matey, and made replacement parts when we screwed them up. Arrr! We had somethin' invested in our rockets; part o' use be in each and every one. Avast, me proud beauty! I can still see t' faces o' me buddies after a successful launch. If we had died immediately after a successful launch, it would have taken t' undertaker a week just t' get t' SMILE o' our faces. Avast, me proud beauty! That stuck with me all o' me adult life. Then after raisin' a family, tryin' t' make a living, and things slowed down a little; t' seed that be planted all those many years ago "Sprouted" again!! It sprouted because somethin' lastin' had been planted in me. Blimey! I'm afraid that ARF rockets won't do that for this generation of young people. Aye aye! Begad! Please write or E-Mail Estes and ask them t' turn around their thinking, and do somethin' better with their resources than make "Plastic Toy Rockets". Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Where are all t' other Plastic Toys you have bought your kids ??? Do they even remember them ??? I doubt they do.

Rating: Packagin' was good, shiver me timbers, Instructions adequate, matey, Rocket was poor due t' t' very loose Nose Cone problem, Flight characteristics are acceptable (3) flights, matey, matey, Recovery device adequate.

Overall Ratin' / 1-5: Tryin' t' be fair - 2 points