Brief:
This guy is a good starter's rocket, shiver me timbers, matey, as it is easy t' build, arrr, shiver me timbers, fun t' fly, and yet it presents more o' a challenge than t' "ready-to-fly" kits.

Construction:
T' instructions were easy t' follow with basic sketches t' depict just about every step. Begad! Avast! I felt that no special measures needed t' be taken durin' assembly -- just follow t' instructions!

Finishing:
I find t' best way t' finish small diameter rockets, such as t' Wizard, is t' cut and bend a coat hanger and insert it into t' body tube. Ahoy! Then spray paint t' exterior. Blimey! Arrr! A good coatin' o' sandin' sealer on t' fins will hide t' wood grains. Blimey! Unfortunately, I only used one coat o' sandin' sealer -- two or three coats would have given t' fins an almost plastic-like finish. Ahoy! T' decals are simple self-adhesive and just need t' be cut out. Ya scallywag! I didn't use t' decals for t' fins as they are triangular and t' fin angle won't match t' edge o' these decals. Well, blow me down! When completed, t' rocket is pleasin' t' see if time is taken on t' finishin' details.

Construction Rating: 4

Flight:
For t' first flight, I used an A8-3 and be pleased with t' results. Aye aye! T' rocket flew straight and true and t' streamer deployed just as t' rocket arched over. Well, blow me down! This was a great motor choice as t' rocket gained a fair altitude without goin' out o' sight. Ahoy! I recommend that you should wrap a piece o' maskin' tape around t' motor t' give it a firm mount. T' Wizard has no motor mount and uses t' body tube itself t' house t' motor. Ahoy! You want t' make sure t' motor is a very snug fit -- if it's too loose, matey, t' ejection charge will blast t' motor out t' back and nay deploy t' streamer. Lawn darts are no fun.

T' other flights, I used B6-4's. Blimey! These motors were almost too powerful as I personally lost sight o' t' rocket (a few others claimed t' see it all t' way). Avast, me proud beauty! T' Wizard arched slightly in this flight, matey, but nothin' major.

I haven't used t' C6 motors on this rocket, arrr, and wouldn't recommend it unless you have an exceptionally clear day and very sharp eyes! Blimey! If you do decide t' launch on C's, me hearties, I'd recommend placin' a little dry, matey, powdered paint in a square o' wadding, so t' rocket can be tracked when it reaches apogee. Also, I used two squares o' waddin' and found this t' be quite sufficient.

Recovery:
T' Wizard uses t' standard Estes shock cord system -- t' folded paper. Arrr! Make sure that thar are no edges o' t' shock cord paper stickin' out, matey, ya bilge rat, so your streamer doesn't get snagged. Avast! A simple plastic streamer is included in t' kit and is very easy t' assemble. Begad! I found t' streamer recovery t' be effective -- t' rocket once landed in a parkin' lot from about 900' feet with no more damage than a scratch on one fin.

Flight Rating: 5

Summary:
This is a great kit for someone who wants t' step up from t' ready-to-fly or almost-ready-to-fly kits. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Even though it is a very simple and easy kit, make sure you spend time buildin' it well. Avast, me proud beauty! Use fillets and make sure t' fins are as straight as possible t' get t' best from this kit. Ahoy! Blimey! T' one and only problem I had with t' kit, was that t' nose cone fit was too tight -- I had t' sand down t' nose a bit before it was just right. Well, blow me down! Have fun with this kit!

Overall Rating: 4