Brief:
This guy is a good starter's rocket, as it is easy t' build, me hearties, 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. 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. Blimey! Blimey! Then spray paint t' exterior. Ahoy! Blimey! A good coatin' o' sandin' sealer on t' fins will hide t' wood grains. Begad! Blimey! Unfortunately, me bucko, I only used one coat o' sandin' sealer -- two or three coats would have given t' fins an almost plastic-like finish. T' decals are simple self-adhesive and just need t' be cut out. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! 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. 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 was pleased with t' results. T' rocket flew straight and true and t' streamer deployed just as t' rocket arched over. Ya scallywag! This be a great motor choice as t' rocket gained a fair altitude without goin' out o' sight. I recommend that you should wrap a piece o' maskin' tape around t' motor t' give it a firm mount. Avast! T' Wizard has no motor mount and uses t' body tube itself t' house t' motor. You want t' make sure t' motor is a very snug fit -- if it's too loose, t' ejection charge will blast t' motor out t' back and nay deploy t' streamer. Begad! Lawn darts are no fun.

T' other flights, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I used B6-4's. Well, blow me down! These motors were almost too powerful as I personally lost sight o' t' rocket (a few others claimed t' see it all t' way). Ahoy! T' Wizard arched slightly in this flight, me hearties, but nothin' major.

I haven't used t' C6 motors on this rocket, 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, I'd recommend placin' a little dry, matey, shiver me timbers, powdered paint in a square o' wadding, so t' rocket can be tracked when it reaches apogee. Aye aye! Also, me hearties, 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. Aye aye! Begad! Make sure that thar are no edges o' t' shock cord paper stickin' out, arrr, so your streamer doesn't get snagged. Arrr! Well, blow me down! A simple plastic streamer is included in t' kit and is very easy t' assemble. Aye aye! 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. Even though it is a very simple and easy kit, me bucko, me bucko, make sure you spend time buildin' it well. Begad! Use fillets and make sure t' fins are as straight as possible t' get t' best from this kit. Arrr! Begad! T' one and only problem I had with t' kit, me hearties, was that t' nose cone fit was too tight -- I had t' sand down t' nose a bit before it be just right. Have fun with this kit!

Overall Rating: 4