Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Arrr! It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). It flies on A-C motors and uses a parachute for recovery.

Construction:
T' kit came in a plastic bag with a front panel showin' t' finished rocket with two possible trim schemes. Blimey! Decals for both are included. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, centerin' rings, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me hearties, retention hook, shiver me timbers, launch lug, shock cord, nose cone, me hearties, die-cut paper scoop, die-cut fin sheet, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Aye aye! After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, I was ready t' began construction.

T' instructions came complete with illustrations and text. Aye aye! Also included were t' fin alignment template and t' shock cord mount. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! This is a skill level 2 kit, me hearties, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, I began construction. Aye aye!

I started with t' motor mount. Begad! This be very easy t' assemble. After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, I glued it into t' body tube.

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. Blimey! I next carefully cut out t' fins. You should have four small fins for t' lower portion and two top wings for t' top portion. Begad! I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. Well, blow me down! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! This is a critical alignment. Ahoy! Arrr! Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each. Arrr! Blimey!

I then punched out t' die-cut scoop from its card. I attached it between fins #2 and #4. Well, blow me down! I found this step just a tad tricky. Aye aye! I now attached t' two top wings four inches from t' top o' fins #2 and #4. Begad! In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Arrr! If done correctly, matey, arrr, you shouldn't have any problems. If not, you will most likely experience some spiraling. Ya scallywag! After t' glue dried, me bucko, I applied glue t' those and t' t' exterior o' t' scoop for more strength. Begad!

Next I attached t' launch lug. Well, blow me down! I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Begad! Blimey! I was pleased when I found that t' shock cord be longer than normally found. Begad! Ahoy! Thanks, me bucko, me bucko, Estes. Blimey!

Finally, matey, I trimmed t' nose cone and sanded it t' remove t' moldin' lines. T' instructions called for t' parachute t' be attached at this time but I always install me chutes after t' rocket is finished. Ahoy!

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, Good parts fit. Ahoy!

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets. Aye aye!

Finishing:
I started t' finishin' by sprayin' t' model with white automotive primer and sandin' betwixt coats. Ahoy! Blimey! I chose t' white sharks mouth scheme. I sprayed the model with gloss white spray enamel. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Since no stripin' material is included, the instructions reccommend stripin' tape. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Instead, arrr, I used Top Flite Monokote red and black trim sheets along with t' supplied decals. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Man, matey, I love that sinister sharks mouth.

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. I decided t' use a 12 inch chute that I stole from one o' me X-Flyers rather than t' 18 inch one. Ahoy! Arrr! I felt that it be too big for this light o' a rocket.

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, me bucko, Fantastic finished appearance. Blimey!

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Arrr! Aye aye! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Reccommended motors are t' A8-3, ya bilge rat, B4-4 (first flight(, arrr, ya bilge rat, B6-4, me hearties, C6-5. Blimey! Avast! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! The chute is packed in t' normal manner. Ahoy!

For me first flight, I used an A8-3 since I be flyin' on a high school football field. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. Blimey! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I felt that it be low, arrr, arrr, ya bilge rat, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! For t' second flight, me bucko insisted that I try some o' his cellouse waddin' istead o' t' Estes waddin' that I normally used. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I also loaded up a B6-4. Begad! Blimey! That was a good choice. Avast! Blimey! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Ahoy! Avast!

CONS: None found.

Recovery:
I used a 12 inch chute, so both recoveries were recovered very close t' the pad. Avast! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! I felt that t' provided chute was just a tad too big. Blimey! It may be fine if you have a lot o' space and/or love t' run a long distance. Begad! Arrr! Blimey! On t' second flight, t' waddin' worked perfectly. Arrr! Thanks, Dan. Blimey!

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. Blimey! Blimey! I would highly recommend this. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Blimey!

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Avast! Ya scallywag!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Priced at $10.99, I felt that this kit be a good buy. Blimey! It be also fun t' build and fly. Blimey! I feel that Estes did a really good job on this kit. Begad! I also feel that they should keep it in production for a long time. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I very highly recommend this kit.

Main PROS: Good price, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, Easy construction, Good parts fit, me hearties, shiver me timbers, Good instructions, ya bilge rat, me bucko, Excellent flight performance. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Fantastic appearance. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

Main CONS: Should have a 12 inch chute instead o' an 18 inch one. Ahoy!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5