Brief:
Single stage, me hearties, arrr, 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, I was told that Quest had bought the molds and re-released it. Durin' me quest, me hearties, I happened t' run across the Aries. Ahoy! I'm glad I did. Begad! Well, blow me down! Despite t' fact that this is a beginner's kit with plastic snap-together pieces, shiver me timbers, 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. Arrr! Blimey! T' four molded plastic fins fit into slots in t' can and slide down t' lock into place. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! For a $10 kit, this is some marvelous little engineering--it's would be called a cool hack in computers. Avast! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Except for this very nice but unique fin can design, all t' buildin' was 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, I suspect an Ariane (hence t' name Aries). Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! It comes with some extra plastic parts (possibly surplus from other kits) that can be glued on as you wish t' dress it up, shiver me timbers, matey, which I did. Begad! It just looks...neat.

For a beginner with only t' most common tools and materials, ya bilge rat, matey, this is a 1 hour build. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! I did it in 15 minutes.

Finishing:
T' tubes come pre-coated with white paper. Begad! T' only finishin' involved is in puttin' on t' vinyl decals. Aye aye! Paintin' is possible, 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. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I flew twice on B6-4s and twice on C5-3s. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! 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. Ya scallywag! You twist it 90 degrees t' lock it. Avast! To change motors you twist, pull t' motor, put in another, me bucko, and put t' rin' back in. Well, me bucko, blow me down! We're talkin' 15 seconds here and positive motor retention without masking tape.

Recovery:
T' plastic fins stand up well t' landings. Avast! T' shock cord is long enough that "Estes dents" are unlikely. Blimey! 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. Blimey! 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. Aye aye! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! I like its looks and enjoy flyin' it, even when those around me are flying MPR/HPR. Blimey! Begad!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5