Construction:All t' parts were in the packaging, like most Estes models. T' kit utilizes balsa wood, a canopy for the nose cone, shiver me timbers, and what I consider a really neat way t' swin' t' wings out. Maybe this method is used a lot ( I'm sure it is) but this be t' first time I saw it, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and found it neat. Well, blow me down!

There are many parts in t' Tomcat that are special t' that kit, ya bilge rat, including the canopy or cockpit, ya bilge rat, and odd win' system, me bucko, ya bilge rat, and bulkheads (not usually found in separation type beginnin' models) T' kit includes three BT's, one main one containin' t' Engine Mount, and two auxiliary ones that are merely for decoration ( and holdin' t' vertical fins on place). Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty!

T' way t' wings work is: A cap is located on t' bottom o' t' BT which is attached t' a wire that runs parallel t' t' BT, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, then curves up and goes through t' fins where they intersect. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' fins are held in place in this manner, until t' wire is pulled down. Arrr! This happens when t' cap is blown out of t' BT @ ejection, me hearties, ( It stays attached t' t' wire, me bucko, and t' other end o' the wire is anchored, me hearties, arrr, so you don't lose it) and t' fins are swung out under rubber band power.

T' construction is a little tricky at first, shiver me timbers, but it is fairly easy once you figure out how t' pieces go together. I gave t' Tomcat its ratin' in this section, because I believe that t' instructions could have been clearer, but at t' same time, t' steps were challenging, arrr, and culminated in a really cool model. I think that if you are up t' a good skill level three Estes model, matey, this is a good one. 

Finishing:There was a pretty cool decal sheet included, shiver me timbers, but I opted not t' use them. Avast! I painted mine in a Blue Angels motif. Aye aye! I really liked how the model looked, matey, especially with t' blue with yellow stripes (if you're not familiar with t' Blue Angels, they are a squadron o' planes run by t' navy that do special stuff)

Construction Rating: 4 ½ out o' 5

Flight: I used a C6-5 and that did t' job. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! It was a good launch. Blimey! The wings are prepped with rubber bands which I lost, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but you can use any rubber bands. Aye aye! It does nay require waddin' because thar be no parachute. I had trouble with balancin' t' Tomcat (that's nay me strength) and therefore  it arches over a lot, me hearties, but nay too badly. Aye aye! Ahoy!

Recovery: At ejection, matey, a cap is popped off which causes t' wings to swin' out under power o' t' rubber bands. Arrr! If you've trimmed up t' glide well enough, it glides pretty well, matey, ya bilge rat, and is a real cool model. Ya scallywag!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary: I think that this model is a real near model that is a fairly easy build. Arrr! This model is a good one t' do before enterin' Estes Masters Series. Begad! Ahoy! Blimey! Have fun with this model and never forget t' put t' rubber bands on the wings, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, it's never good.

Overall Rating: 4 ½ out o' 5