Brief:
Single stage, me bucko, 14" chute realistic scale-like easy t' build LPR kit

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• 3 tubes
• 4 plastic snap in fins
• 2 piece fin can
• 1 launch lug
• 1 chute kit with elastic shock cord
• 2 plastic transitions
• 1 plastic nose

While lookin' for an old MPC Nike Smoke, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I was told that Quest had bought the molds and re-released it. Avast! Durin' me quest, matey, I happened t' run across the Aries. Begad! Ya scallywag! I'm glad I did. Begad! Aye aye! Despite t' fact that this is a beginner's kit with plastic snap-together pieces, it is really designed remarkably well and is a very good looker too.

T' plastic fin can incorporates a thrust rin' (tab) and t' two pieces snap together. Aye aye! T' four molded plastic fins fit into slots in t' can and slide down t' lock into place. For a $10 kit, this is some marvelous little engineering--it's would be called a cool hack in computers. Ya scallywag! Except for this very nice but unique fin can design, matey, all t' buildin' be extremely easy and the well done instructions wouldn't be necessary except for t' complete beginner.

T' transitions and nose are molded t' look like a present day launch vehicle, matey, I suspect an Ariane (hence t' name Aries). Ya scallywag! Ahoy! It comes with some extra plastic parts (possibly surplus from other kits) that can be glued on as you wish t' dress it up, which I did. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! It just looks...neat.

For a beginner with only t' most common tools and materials, this is a 1 hour build. Avast! I did it in 15 minutes.

Finishing:
T' tubes come pre-coated with white paper. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! T' only finishin' involved is in puttin' on t' vinyl decals. Begad! Well, blow me down! Paintin' is possible, ya bilge rat, but I can't see how that'd improve it much.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
B and C motors are recommended. T' 14" chute is hard t' pack properly, so I used a 10" mylar and cellulose wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! I flew twice on B6-4s and twice on C5-3s. Ahoy! All flights were very good lookin' and flawless.

T' motor retainer is another part o' t' exceptional design. Begad! A twist-in rin' has tabs that fit into two slots. Arrr! Begad! You twist it 90 degrees t' lock it. To change motors you twist, pull t' motor, me bucko, put in another, ya bilge rat, and put t' rin' back in. Ahoy! We're talkin' 15 seconds here and positive motor retention without masking tape.

Recovery:
T' plastic fins stand up well t' landings. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! T' shock cord is long enough that "Estes dents" are unlikely. I've detected no ejection burnin' or other damage after 4 flights.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Clearly, if as a builder o' larger and more complex models I had been getting jaded, this model cured me. Arrr! I remain very impressed with t' thought that went into t' design o' this little bird and still it comes out for less than $10. Begad! Blimey! I like its looks and enjoy flyin' it, even when those around me are flying MPR/HPR. Begad! Ahoy!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5