(12/31/04) I haven't build a Custom kit in a very long time. Arrr! However, me hearties, BRS Hobbies asked me t' build this one and review it for EMRR. So, ya bilge rat, I did.

T' Sport is a straightforward four-fins-and-a-nosecone rocket. It barely qualifies t' be considered a "longneck" on EMRR. T' Sport is a "longneck" because it has a 0.976" diameter and is 29.5" long, 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. Ya scallywag! The motor mount consists o' one 18mm motor tube, a thrust ring, shiver me timbers, matey, two centerin' rings and a motor hook. Ya scallywag! T' recovery system made up o' a 15" long, me hearties, matey, ya bilge rat, 1/8" wide, white elastic shock cord, me bucko, a 3-fold paper mount, and a 12" plastic parachute that t' builder assembles. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Lastly t' kit includes two tube couplers, matey, two 1/8" diameter launch lugs, ya bilge rat, 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). Aye aye! T' instructions include illustrations t' ensure success.

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

T' motor mount is built first. Avast! Very standard. Well, blow me down! 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. Begad! Aye aye! I used t' door jam method to extend t' lines.

T' fins are next. Die-cut make it easy. Arrr! Ya scallywag! They are glued in place on t' body tube, me hearties, me bucko, leavin' 1" from t' aft. Begad! 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. Well, blow me down! Avast! 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, matey, so I have been able t' use me typical multiple coats of Plastic-Kote Primer and sandin' in-between. Begad! Begad! Then amazingly, me hearties, on t' last day of November, ya bilge rat, it was warm enough t' paint. Begad! I used Walmart Fire Red paint on the whole body. I waited 2 hours, matey, shiver me timbers, masked off t' top, matey, matey, and used Walmart Gloss Black paint t' finish it off (additional comments about Walmart paint).

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

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

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Custom recommends t' A8-3, me bucko, 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, me son and I went sledding and I was noticin' that thar was absolutely no wind. Since I was fortunate enough t' get t' rocket painted on t' last day o' November, me hearties, I decided I should try t' fly it as well. Arrr!

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. Begad! Blimey! T' flight be short, shiver me timbers, stable and ejected at apogee. Avast! Blimey! Good motor match. 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. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Another successful launch and straight up flight. Ya scallywag! Nay too high. Begad! Avast! Ejection was at apogee again, me bucko, matey, but thar was a hang up. This time, t' parachute hooked on t' aft fin. Avast! It was then pulled tight enough by t' elastic t' stay there. It fell and landed in this position. That landin' cause a fin t' nearly detach from t' body. Repairable.

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

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