Brief:
This is a single stage model rocket kit usin' a 24mm motor mount and uses parachute recovery. It's a rather different lookin' model rocket in that it features a large win' in t' aft o' t' body tube. On me assembled kit, shiver me timbers, the win' span was 20.1". Ahoy! It sure gets looks when you go and launch it as it's not your standard 3FNC kit!

Construction:
T' kit features an 18" body tube that looks like an Estes-type in feel and color, t' nose cone is plastic, t' centerin' rings are laser cut black fiber, and t' motor mount uses a metal motor hook for retention. Ahoy! T' shock cord is 1/4" wide and a good length that is attached t' a Keelhaul®©™® cord that is connected t' t' motor mount. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' Keelhaul®©™® cord is tied t' a brass swivel and you tie t' shock cord t' t' swivel and the free end t' t' nose cone. Well, blow me down! T' parachute uses a snap swivel with hook to connect t' t' nose cone. Avast! Begad! Blimey! T' fins/wings are o' 3/32" basswood that have a nice, fine grain. Ahoy! T' fins/wings are pre-cut.

You build this kit in two parts. First part o' t' instructions has you assemble the motor mount and mark t' body tube. Then you glue in t' motor mount t' the body tube makin' sure t' motor hook is opposite t' line for t' basswood strip. Aye aye! T' second part o' t' instructions, matey, completes t' assembly o' t' kit. T' kit is rated as a skill level 3 kit. Avast! Begad! That's about right but its a builder's kit--not a super simple slap-on-the-decals type! T' instructions call for the use o' a heavy CA type o' glue. Well, blow me down! They are correct! Elmer's just won't be good to get t' large win' on. You need somethin' that sets up within a few minutes! T' win' mountin' be t' hard part o' t' kit. Begad! Begad! All fin and win' material is from pre-cut basswood. On t' fins and large main wing, ya bilge rat, you just need t' sand an airfoil and then you are ready t' go. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! I am happy that you don't have to start cuttin' basswood! You also need t' sand a curve on t' 2 basswood strips but that takes almost no time with a sandin' block. You also have t' cut/file a small indent in t' smaller length o' strip but again, me hearties, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, it's no big deal! The assembly pictures here are a large help. Ahoy! After t' 18" length o' basswood strip is glued on, arrr, t' big win' is attached. Begad! Rocketpad has pre-marked this wing so you know just where it has t' go--no messin' up on t' location. Aye aye! Arrr! Just take your time and get t' win' on square. Well, blow me down! Gettin' a helper on this step would be great. Begad! When all t' fins and wings (and 3/16" launch lug) are on and dry, the instructions have you put heavy glue fillets on all t' junctions at the body tube, wing/body tube, etc. Ya scallywag! This is where you can use Elmers's wood glue as I did. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! It makes for a real strong assembly. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! After t' fins/win' is attached and all dry, you just finish up: assemble t' mylar parachute, nose weight in the nose cone, and things like that. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Once its all assembled up, it feels real solid. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions were fine and t' pictures were very helpful. Ahoy! By the way, shiver me timbers, like most Rocketpad kits I have put together, matey, t' pictures are on sheets that are nay on t' instructions. I like this as you can view t' steps and the pictures at once. No CONs here.

Finishing:
Finishin' this kit is like any kit that has balsa or basswood fins. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I used 3 coats o' Aerogloss sandin' sealer for a nice smooth finish on t' fins/wing. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I was thinkin' o' paintin' t' kit white and nay t' bright orange that was on the kit picture card but then thought t' Orange would look cool in t' sky so I used Testor's #1628 gloss orange t' paint t' rocket with 3 coats. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I took my time betwixt coats and got a solid finish. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' decals are color waterslide type and nay t' super thin stuff. You will need a big dish or tray for t' large decals though. Blimey! Blimey! I had help with this. Blimey! Blimey! My buddy Bob held t' rocket while I applied t' decals. Arrr! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! This made it much easier t' do with out messin' up the decal. When all done, this is one cool lookin' kit! Blimey!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight and Recovery:
T' recommended motors are t' Estes C11, D12-3, and D12-5. I used Estes waddin' in t' kit Prep is like most other model rockets in that t' motor slips in with no hassle and is held in with a metal motor hook. Ahoy! T' included launch lug is a 3/16" size. Begad! Begad! T' correct size for this kit. Arrr! I used a C11-3 for t' first flight and it was cool! T' launch was slow at first then it got its stuff together and took off! A nice straight flight though nay all that high. Ejection be just as it started t' nose down. Ya scallywag! I had no walk as it came down next t' t' pad.

T' next flight was with a D12-5 and this one went higher. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' second flight, I had a small walk but t' problem. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' ejection on this motor was nose down.

For t' third flight, shiver me timbers, I put in a D12-3. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' wind started t' come up but we have a large launch area here. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! It was a fast take off and a rather straight flight although toward t' end o' powered flight, matey, it started t' angle a little. I did nay see just where ejection was this time. Arrr! It be much higher. I did have to walk t' t' edge o' our field this time. This flight be like t' last one so I am guess that t' anglin' was from t' wind because it was straight till just before burnout. Avast, me proud beauty! This time t' wind took it on a ride across t' road t' a different field, where thar were trees and a big rock. Avast! One o' t' side fins got a din' but did nay break. Basswood is stronger than balsa! It floated a long way since we were in t' center o' t' big field. Blimey! Ahoy! This was t' only damage to t' rocket on any o' its launches.

No CONs on flight and it looks so different goin' up. T' smoke seems to widen out more than most rockets, maybe because o' t' air flow o' t' big wing? I don't know, but it be cool! Blimey! T' mylar parachute has held up nicely for 4 flights. Shock cord is a little blackened now but no burns or damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is one o' 5 Rocketpad kits I now have and I like it very much. T' price was in t' low $20s and a good deal. Begad! T' fins and t' big win' are precut and the materials are first class. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! T' main PROs are t' pre-cut wing/fins of basswood and good clear instructions. Ahoy! Ahoy! I got this kit from their eBay auction in the sprin' and just assembled it in early July 2006. There was nothin' I would call a CON. Avast! It would make life easier though if someone helped you when its time t' attach t' large wing. Begad! Arrr! My weight was a little more than t' weight Rocketpad had in t' fact sheet with t' instructions. Ahoy! They have it as 6.9oz and I got mine at 7.1oz. Arrr! Nay off by much! It's nay a kit for first time builders but get some skill level 2 kits built, and I think anyone can then do this one. Ahoy! Just take your time.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5