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

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

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

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. Begad! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Arrr! This is a critical alignment. Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each. Avast!

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

Next I attached t' launch lug. Ya scallywag! I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Begad! Begad! I was pleased when I found that t' shock cord was longer than normally found. Ya scallywag! Thanks, Estes. Begad!

Finally, me hearties, 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.

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

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets. Avast, me proud beauty!

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

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. Blimey! Blimey! 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.

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

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

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Reccommended motors are t' A8-3, B4-4 (first flight(, me hearties, B6-4, shiver me timbers, C6-5. Begad! 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, arrr, I used an A8-3 since I be flyin' on a high school football field. Blimey! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. Avast! I felt that it was low, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Ahoy! For t' second flight, me bucko insisted that I try some o' his cellouse waddin' istead o' t' Estes waddin' that I normally used. Well, blow me down! I also loaded up a B6-4. Avast! Ya scallywag! That was a good choice. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet. Avast, me proud beauty!

PROS: Excellent flight performance.

CONS: None found.

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

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

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, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I felt that this kit was a good buy. It be also fun t' build and fly. 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. Ahoy! I very highly recommend this kit.

Main PROS: Good price, Easy construction, Good parts fit, matey, Good instructions, Excellent flight performance. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Fantastic appearance. Ya scallywag!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5