(12/31/04) I haven't build a Custom kit in a very long time. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! However, arrr, arrr, BRS Hobbies asked me t' build this one and review it for EMRR. Begad! Blimey! So, I did.

T' Sport is a straightforward four-fins-and-a-nosecone rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It barely qualifies t' be considered a "longneck" on EMRR. Blimey! T' Sport is a "longneck" because it has a 0.976" diameter and is 29.5" long, shiver me timbers, givin' it a 30.2:1 length to diameter ratio.

Click t' see me 18mm Longneck comparison article

T' rocket includes three 9" long, 0.976" diameter, light brown paper body tube for t' main body and a 2 1/2" hollow plastic nosecone. T' kits includes die-cut 1/16" balsa fins. Arrr! Begad! The motor mount consists o' one 18mm motor tube, a thrust ring, matey, me bucko, two centerin' rings and a motor hook. Blimey! Ahoy! T' recovery system made up o' a 15" long, 1/8" wide, matey, white elastic shock cord, a 3-fold paper mount, and a 12" plastic parachute that t' builder assembles. Ahoy! Avast! Lastly t' kit includes two tube couplers, two 1/8" diameter launch lugs, me bucko, and a pressure sensitive decal sheet.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on both sides of a single page o' 8½ x 14" paper (folded into a nice 8-page instruction sheet). Begad! T' instructions include illustrations t' ensure success.

Custom calls this a Skill Level 1 kit. We agree.

T' motor mount is built first. Very standard. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! It includes a motor hook that is secured with t' lower centering ring. Avast! This is then glued into t' body tube.

Next, t' body tube is marked usin' a 2D markin' guide that is right in t' instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! I used t' door jam method to extend t' lines.

T' fins are next. Die-cut make it easy. They are glued in place on t' body tube, me hearties, ya bilge rat, leavin' 1" from t' aft. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! The instructions guide you t' apply fillets and then t' seal them.

T' body tubes are coupled together and then the launch lugs are added.

T' last steps are t' attached t' elastic shock cord t' t' plastic nose cone and t' 3-fold paper mount it t' t' inside of t' upper body tube. Begad! T' parachute is then assemble.

Custom gives a number o' basic finishing guidance includin' suggested paintin' colors and maskin' technique.

I have been surprised with several days just at 50 degrees F, shiver me timbers, so I have been able t' use me typical multiple coats of Plastic-Kote Primer and sandin' in-between. Then amazingly, shiver me timbers, on t' last day of November, it be warm enough t' paint. Well, blow me down! I used Walmart Fire Red paint on the whole body. I waited 2 hours, masked off t' top, and used Walmart Gloss Black paint t' finish it off (additional comments about Walmart paint).

After dryin' over-night, matey, I applied the peel-n-stick decal. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! It is nay t' easiest t' get aligned properly, shiver me timbers, so take your time.

Overall, matey, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! Custom makes some nice kits. Instructions, arrr, die-cut balsa, motor retention and a plastic nose cone help t' make this one a very nice starters model. Then add a decal for looks. Aye aye! Blimey!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Custom recommends t' A8-3, matey, B6-4, and C6-5 motors.

Custom indicates that t' rocket should weigh 1.48 ounces.

My finished rocket weighed in at 1.6 ounces.

On December 29th, arrr, arrr, me son and I went sledding and I be noticin' that thar be absolutely no wind. Blimey! Ahoy! Since I was fortunate enough t' get t' rocket painted on t' last day o' November, I decided I should try t' fly it as well. Avast!

So we packed up a couple o' rockets and went for a few quick launches.

I used 3 sheets o' Estes waddin' and then loaded an A8-3. Ahoy! T' flight was short, stable and ejected at apogee. Ya scallywag! Good motor match. Avast, me proud beauty! Upon inspection I found that t' upper tube had a dent in it from the nose cone kick back (short elastic shock cord). I straightened that out with my finger and got it ready again.

This time on a B6-4. Begad! Another successful launch and straight up flight. Nay too high. Ejection be at apogee again, but thar be a hang up. Well, blow me down! This time, t' parachute hooked on t' aft fin. Avast, me proud beauty! It was then pulled tight enough by t' elastic t' stay there. Avast, me proud beauty! It fell and landed in this position. That landin' cause a fin t' nearly detach from t' body. Ahoy! Repairable.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, matey, me bucko, I would rate this rocket 3 points. Average t' t' industry flights (and t' size o' rocket). Blimey! I'd sure like t' see Custom listen t' t' same advice that many, ya bilge rat, many have given to Estes... Blimey! Arrr! longer shock cords please. Avast! At least double them for your kits.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 4 points. Blimey! Aye aye! For a quick build, with a neat look due t' t' paint scheme and decal, this rocket is a nice 18mm longneck. Aye aye! Avast! T' plastic nose cone is also a nice change from all t' balsa ones I've been finishin' lately.