Brief:
This is one o' QModeling's Mega Retro Series (MRS) kits. Arrr! Ahoy! It's a 1.68:1 upscale of t' classic Estes kit and flies on 24mm motors. Ahoy! It is a great lookin' kit and t' parts are exceptional quality.

Construction:
T' kit came nicely packaged with most small components in their own bags (e.g. all motor mount components bagged together). Ahoy! It appears that some o' the components have been changed since t' previous review be posted. Blimey! Product improvement is a good thing. Ahoy! T' major components per t' provided checklist include (apparent changes in bold):

• main body tube, BT-60 white glassine and pre-slotted for main fins
• foil lined BT-50 engine tube
• launch lug/standoff package
• laser cut balsa raceway
• nose cone, ya bilge rat, arrr, conical with a cylindrical base, thick molded plastic
• nose plug, me hearties, lite-ply
• fin package (all fins are laser cut from 1/4" balsa):

• 3 primary fins
• 3 secondary fins
• 3 thrusters

• instructions, me hearties, me hearties, 23 pages o' illustrated instructions includin' a parts re-order form
• decal set, shiver me timbers, waterslide
• 6 cardstock body wraps
• engine mount package:

• 4 balsa rings
• 6 balsa panels
• thrust ring
• long motor hook
• rear paper centerin' ring
• forward centerin' ring, lite ply

• parachute compartment ring, keeps chute at t' forward end o' t' body tube
• parachute package:

• 18" rip-stop nylon
• 5" x 5" Nomex® protector
• 9' o' 200lb Keelhaul®©™® string
• screw-eye
• snap swivel

T' instructions provided with this kit are excellent. They are detailed, have clear drawings, me hearties, provide warnings t' keep you from messin' up, ya bilge rat, tell you when t' do t' finishing, matey, and provide 5 views so you can get t' decals right. Begad!

You can access t' full instructions online at t' QModeling MRS-Stiletto page. Avast! So you don't have t' go thar mid-read, t' followin' exploded view should show how this kit goes together.

Click on image above t' see larger version
(Image used with permission from QModeling)

My experience with t' motor mount was t' same as t' previous reviewer. All t' interlockin' pieces fit together nicely and I didn't run into any snags. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' mount seems quite sturdy and almost begs for more motor when combined with t' thick through t' wall fins. Ahoy! I was contemplatin' modifying the engine hook t' allow longer motors such as t' Ellis F20, ya bilge rat, but I decided to build it stock as thar are plenty o' motor choices at this length.

After the mount is complete, t' instructions say t' install it in t' tube. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! This requires dry fittin' t' mount with t' fins and tackin' it into position. Aye aye! Blimey! The fins are removed until later in t' build. Begad! Blimey! Everythin' fits well and this process is easy.

Next came t' markin' for t' various components usin' t' included guide. Installin' all t' outer components were straightforward. T' separation rings are built up from two layers o' cardstock strips. Begad! T' quality o' t' wood in my kit was excellent and required little filling. Elmer's Fill ‘n' Finish was used t' do this and be applied before assembly. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! I found it odd that the instructions didn't say t' round t' edges o' t' thick fins. Avast! Aye aye! I decided t' just take t' edge off. With them bein' so thick and perfectly square, me hearties, t' fins were easy t' install. Ahoy! Ahoy!

T' nose cone seems nice and sturdy. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I found t' seams very easy t' sand down. Avast! Blimey! It almost seemed like a gel coat material instead o' plastic. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I found t' tip was nay perfectly pointy, lookin' like it chipped off in the mold. Begad! Blimey! I rounded it a bit and it looks fine now. Avast! Blimey! T' nose plug didn't fit easily but once in, me hearties, it is good an snug. T' instructions said t' trim t' end o' the cone flush with t' plug, but I opted t' leave it and add an epoxy fillet. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!

The recovery system is top-notch, me hearties, includin' Keelhaul®©™® twine, Nomex® pad, arrr, rip-stop nylon chute, ya bilge rat, and a swivel. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' chute is removable and can be transported t' other rockets.

Finishing:
T' instructions say t' prime t' model and t' paint it gloss white. Arrr! I used Krylon paint. Begad! T' nose cone and top o' t' body tube were then painted copper. It just so happened I had Testor's copper paint from my 58mm JATO. Aye aye! Begad! Luck? Fate? I don't know, matey, me bucko, but t' rocket was painted t' proper color! As mentioned above, ya bilge rat, thar are plenty o' diagrams t' position t' decals. I personally don't worry about bein' perfect in this regard but tried t' be close. Ya scallywag! T' decals are easy t' work with. Aye aye! A couple had a few imperfections, which were fixed with a Sharpie pen. Ahoy!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Prep be easy with t' provided chute pad. Ya scallywag! I didn't have a D12-3 so I went right t' t' E9-4. Avast! T' wind was dead calm and t' boost was arrow straight. Aye aye! I lost t' rocket in t' haze and missed where it ejected. Begad! Avast! I have no doubt that this model could handle an F motor with no problem.

Recovery:
In t' earlier review, shiver me timbers, it appeared t' recovery components were oversized. Blimey! Ya scallywag! It appears they have now been sized for a better fit. There is also a rin' t' keep the chute near t' top o' t' rocket. Arrr! In t' calm conditions, arrr, me bucko, t' rocket landed nicely about 50' from t' pad.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this kit looks really cool and t' trim helps in this regard. Blimey! Once again, matey, matey, I can't say enough about t' materials in this kit. Begad! They were good quality and fit like laser cut components should.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5