Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). Ahoy! 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. Ya scallywag! Decals for both are included. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, centerin' rings, arrr, retention hook, launch lug, shock cord, ya bilge rat, matey, nose cone, die-cut paper scoop, arrr, me bucko, die-cut fin sheet, arrr, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, I be ready t' began construction.

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

I started with t' motor mount. Ya scallywag! Begad! This was very easy t' assemble. Well, blow me down! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, matey, I glued it into t' body tube. Blimey!

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

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

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

Finally, 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. Blimey!

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, Good parts fit. Arrr! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty!

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

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

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. I felt that it be too big for this light o' a rocket. Well, blow me down!

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, Fantastic finished appearance. Aye aye!

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Ahoy! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Arrr!

CONS: None found.

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

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I would highly recommend this.

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Aye aye!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Priced at $10.99, I felt that this kit was a good buy. Begad! Begad! It be also fun t' build and fly. I feel that Estes did a really good job on this kit. Aye aye! I also feel that they should keep it in production for a long time. Well, blow me down! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! I very highly recommend this kit.

Main PROS: Good price, me hearties, Easy construction, Good parts fit, Good instructions, shiver me timbers, Excellent flight performance. Fantastic appearance. Begad!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5