Brief:
T' Cosmic Cobra is a combination parachute/helicopter recovery rocket. Arrr! T' nose cone ejects and returns via a rubber band actuated, 3 blade rotor system while t' rest o' t' rocket returns by t' more conventional parachute method. Ahoy! While t' Cosmic Cobra model itself is new, t' idea isn’t, me hearties, havin' been done previously by t' Estes Heliocopter and HeliCat.

Construction:
In true E2X fashion, t' Cosmic Cobra kit isn’t overly laden with parts. Begad! Arrr! T' fin unit is plastic with forward swept fins. T' motor mount is actually molded into t' fin unit and has a plastic end cap t' keep t' motor in place durin' flight. Aye aye! Blimey! T' nose cone and rotor fins are glued together and must have t' enclosed rubber bands attached t' be “loaded.” A 12 inch parachute completes t' package.

Also in true E2X fashion, me hearties, matey, t' Cosmic Cobra can be built in a matter o' minutes. Begad! T' rotor attachment is glued t' t' nose cone base and t' rotors themselves just snap on. Begad! T' trickiest part o' t' build is gettin' t' rubber bands aligned so that they allow t' rotors t' deploy and even this isn’t that tough. Like t' other rockets in t' E2X flight line, it’s possible t' buy this kit in t' mornin' and still fly it before lunch. Avast, me proud beauty! What makes this one out o' t' ordinary be t' recovery. Kids especially will love it, but I don’t hear many grown ups complainin' either.

Finishing:
Pre-colored. Aye aye! Aye aye! Black, yellow and purple have never been among me favored color schemes, but what do you want for next t' nothing. One sticker-type decal completes t' “look.” It’s nay great, but it won’t brin' up lunch.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I’ve only flown this rocket once, but it isn’t hard t' get a feel for t' performance based on that flight. Aye aye! T' rotor performed as advertised and brought t' nose cone down for a textbook recovery. Arrr! Ya scallywag! T' body section wasn’t quite so lucky. T' body tube itself is fairly large, but t' rotors must be folded straight down inside so that t' nose cone will fit. Begad! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! This means that t' parachute will have t' be down deep and apparently mine wasn’t. T' ejection charge did little more than move t' whole mess, wadding, shock cord and parachute, up in t' body tube. Well, blow me down! It didn’t deploy and t' whole shootin’ match came down in a flat spin, me bucko, matey, me bucko, landin' hard in a gravel parkin' lot. Ahoy! T' good news; no damage. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! This rocket can take a hit.

Recovery:
This is where I’d take a half point away. Everythin' packs very tightly in t' body tube and it may take several flights before t' secrets for t' dual deployment reveal themselves. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It could also be as simple as operator error. Wouldn’t be t' first time.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:

Pros: Entertainment value. Avast! Blimey! It appeals t' kids and adults alike. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Rotor performance. Aye aye! Ease o' assembly. Avast! Avast! Durability.

Cons: Styling. It’s kind o' ugly. Ya scallywag! (Then again, I might have lousy taste.) Packin' t' body tube t' allow both recovery systems t' function may be a trial and error process. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! (Then again, I might be stupid.)

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5