Note: This is a slightly shortened, 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. Ahoy! It be t' only one o' t' new pre-fab rockets that hit the shelves this Christmas left. Ahoy! Aye aye! After readin' several comments on this particular rocket and t' pre-fab approach t' rocketry (Pro/Con), shiver me timbers, me bucko, I thought a "Construction" article was well overdue. Ahoy! T' followin' is me opinion only, me hearties, and may nay be t' same as the Manufacturer or Design Engineers that created this rocket.

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

Components: T' "Kit" consists of (1) one each "Vacuum Formed" plastic outer wrapper. Well, blow me down! Begad! (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. Begad! T' back outlines t' rockets impressive 200 Ft.. Begad! flight profile, and shows recommended engines !! T' part that still makes it a "Kit" - t' parachute pack. Oops, me hearties, arrr, almost forgot t' 50's style, all plastic, super fantastic, orange rocket. Well, matey, blow me down! 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.. Ahoy! T' rocket itself has (3) three plastic parts, and (1) one elastic part. Blimey! T' "Nose Cone", matey, me bucko, me hearties, t' "Main Body", t' "Motor Retention Ring", and t' "Elastic Shock Cord". (Shock Cord is already tied in place !!) we have been saved t' embarrassment o' messin' this up. Avast! Thank you, thank you, Mr. Well, blow me down! Tunik!!.

Recovery Device: T' Parachute is also already assembled. 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. Arrr! T' dangerous task o' usin' a sharp object t' pierce the plastic t' tie t' strin' in, is gone. Begad! Havin' t' tie a knot is no longer a reason for "pretendin' t' be sick" t' avoid t' stress o' this horrendous requirement. Avast! T' task o' "havin' fun in accomplishing something" IS GONE !!!!! Glory, me hearties, Allelujah, matey, t' FUN is GONE.

RTF Kit Assembly: Now t' hard part !! Although this rocket is advertised as bein' "Ready t' Fly", 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. I'm already startin' t' sweat ! After several hours o' meditation, shiver me timbers, a call t' me Psychic Friends, and countless measurin' attempts, 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.... Well, blow me down! 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. Avast! Aye aye! It just kinda' flopped around a little. 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. Aye aye! T' motor goes into an area that has raised plastic rails for the motor t' slide into. Begad! 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. Arrr! This fueled rumor o' a "Micro" motor for these rockets. Avast! I think these rockets are for t' standard A10-3T type motor listed on the packaging. Avast! A longer than standard motor lot, ya bilge rat, or poor Quality Control on the rocket could be t' problem. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Anyway, matey, mine fit properly. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! (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. Begad! The waddin' used was t' Cellulose insulation material. Here t' "Mighty Moondog" waits on t' gantry for t' countdown t' begin. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Sorta' makes your heart pound, doesn't it??

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

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

Impressions: I'll be upfront with you; I don't like ARF rockets. Well, blow me down! Avast! I think it takes more away from t' hobby than it gives. Ahoy! It teaches nothing, and requires no investment o' time or energy. 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. Begad! Aye aye! We used t' have buildin' sessions at each others house on Saturdays that would last all day. Begad! Aye aye! We exchanged ideas, painted our rockets, and made replacement parts when we screwed them up. Avast! Aye aye! We had somethin' invested in our rockets; part o' use was in each and every one. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! I can still see t' faces o' me buddies after a successful launch. Avast, me proud beauty! If we had died immediately after a successful launch, me hearties, matey, matey, it would have taken t' undertaker a week just t' get t' SMILE o' our faces. That stuck with me all o' me adult life. Ahoy! Then after raisin' a family, shiver me timbers, 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! Please write or E-Mail Estes and ask them t' turn around their thinking, arrr, me bucko, and do somethin' better with their resources than make "Plastic Toy Rockets". Arrr! 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, Instructions adequate, arrr, shiver me timbers, Rocket was poor due t' t' very loose Nose Cone problem, ya bilge rat, Flight characteristics are acceptable (3) flights, me bucko, Recovery device adequate.

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