Brief:
This be t' Launch Pad's scale Sidewinder AIM-9L missile model. This is a mid-power rocket with a parachute recovery. Blimey! Blimey!

Construction:
This kit comes with balsa planks, two body tubes, ya bilge rat, a plastic nose-cone, ya bilge rat, centerin' rings, me bucko, and all other standard kit pieces. Blimey! Ahoy! It also comes with putty for nose-cone weight. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! T' shock cord was simple elastic, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, me bucko, which was a bit inadequate for this great model. Ahoy! Avast! There are also lots o' other small balsa shapes, and dowels for t' construction.

I found t' kit straight forward, ya bilge rat, and this was me first non-Estes rocket. Blimey! Begad! And, I wont work on anythin' less challengin' again! T' instructions are lengthy, but when followed carefully will make for an enjoyable project. I followed other reviewer's tips. When I built t' stringers for each side o' t' fin, me hearties, I put them on at an angle and drilled holes for more realism.

I read that t' balsa supplied from TLP is soft, and followed their advice o' coatin' with CA. Still, after launching, me hearties, this is still too soft and I have had some fin damage. Arrr! I will repair usin' paper over t' balsa, matey, then coatin' for CA, and see if that holds. I do think t' forward fins need some reinforcement.

All in all, ya bilge rat, construction was straight forward. Begad! Lots o' small details make this fun. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! Note: I have nay modeled since I be a kid, matey, and did nay find this too challenging.

Finishing:

As with all TLP models, me bucko, no decals, shiver me timbers, but that is ok. I painted usin' simple primer coats, and testors spray paint. Begad! See pictures for t' finish. Begad! I also looked at as many pics as I could find and found a few small details like paintin' t' forward guidance pivots red. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I love t' way t' model looks and I have received lots o' compliments.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Flew this model only once so far. Launched in a slight wind in San Francisco at t' base o' t' Golden Gate Bridge. Avast! Aye aye! Used t' recommended D12-3 motor. Well, blow me down! Avast! Used small amount o' wadding.

Fox 2! Blimey! Weathercocked only slightly. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! Flew beautifully and straight. Avast! Blimey! Chute deployed at apogee. Chute got tangled on forward fin, but had some resistance on decent.

Recovery:
I increased t' length o' t' shock cord, with a round, shiver me timbers, black piece o' elastic. Love t' look and functionality. Avast! However, as mentioned, t' chute got tangled somehow. Arrr! T' first ever recovery malfunction I have had with any rocket I own. Avast, me proud beauty! Consequently, I had some slight fin damage on t' forward fins.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I love this rocket. It was fun t' build, and t' fly. It be t' best looker in me arsenal o' democracy. I love this company and their kits and have built more and will continue t' do so.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
I would reinforce t' forward fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Might even try and find some light plywood. Arrr! At t' very least, I might try t' technique o' overlayin' tissue or 20 lb paper and CA that over t' balsa. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Other than that, me hearties, would nay change a thing.