T' Sweetheart Express from Weir Rockets is aptly named. 

With its heart-shaped fins, shiver me timbers, arrr, it adds a little romance t' t' launch field. But as a flyer, it also could be called a sweetheart for its sweet flyin' characteristics. 

Weir Rockets is a new company started by Paul Weir o' Newark, me hearties, Dela. Weir, a long-time rocket flyer and "born again rocketeer," started manufacturin' kits after friends requested kits o' his original designs. 

They say you can't be sweet and tough, ya bilge rat, but t' Sweetheart Express is both. Arrr! T' motor mount rings are t' thickest I've seen on a rocket o' this size. Avast! Aye aye! T' motor hook is considerably thicker than those on comparable kits, matey, and thar be a motor block included. Nay all kits that include motor retainin' hooks also include a motor block. 

T' shock cord is one-half inch thick and would be adequate for some high-power designs. Begad! Arrr! There is a "leader" included t' attach t' parachute t' t' nose cone; you don't have t' attach t' 'chute directly t' t' nose cone. Ya scallywag! Blimey! This approach reduces t' possibility o' parachute tangles. Snap swivels make removal easy. Begad! T' 'chute itself is a mylar chute, a type that offers better visibility and better openin' characteristics than t' plastic parachutes found in so many kits. 

T' fin patterns were drawn on t' balsa wood stock. Well, blow me down! Well, matey, blow me down! Also included were four plastic "vanes," which help stabilize t' rocket. 

T' rocket was fairly easy t' build. Ahoy! I was confused somewhat about t' vanes, shiver me timbers, me bucko, especially since in addition t' t' included plastic vanes, vane patterns were drawn on t' balsa wood. Ahoy! This problem will be corrected in future releases. Arrr! Well, matey, blow me down! T' instructions are well-written with adequate illustrations. Blimey! A rocket builder should have a little bit o' experience before tacklin' this rocket. 

There are no decals included. Avast! This is nay surprisin' for a start-up company's kit, me hearties, as decals are expensive t' produce in small quantities. 

T' test flights occurred at monthly flights o' t' Parker County 4-H Rocket Club. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I didn't plan t' test t' rocket's durability, but that's what happened. 

T' first flight was on a B4-2. T' parachute tangled and didn't open, which likely be due t' poor packing. Begad! Ya scallywag! However, matey, arrr, t' rocket landed safely with no damage. 

After a change o' parachutes, shiver me timbers, a straight-up flight on an A8-3 went fine. Ya scallywag! I didn't think a rocket that size could fly on an A8-3, me hearties, matey, but I was wrong. Begad! Begad! It went up on a C6-5 with t' launcher tilted steeply into t' wind. T' angle was within safety limits, but t' rocket weathercocked more than I expected. Well, blow me down! Thus, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, it didn't get enough altitude for an optimal ejection. T' result was a "cliffhanger." T' rocket was headed straight down and pickin' up speed when ejection occurred about 80 feet above t' ground. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' parachute opened immediately and t' rocket was recovered safely - with no damage. 

At a later 4-H club launch, I stood at t' launch control panel as me son hit t' launch button. T' rocket flew normally, shiver me timbers, ejected t' chute and floated right back t' me. Well, blow me down! I didn't have t' take a step t' catch it. That's what I call a "Sweetheart!" 

Perhaps you could build one and dedicate it t' your sweetheart. Ya scallywag! It might be one way t' get her - or him - out t' t' launch field. Aye aye! As t' instructions say, arrr, "Take your love t' new heights!" 

Length: 23.5 inches 
Weight: 3.5 ounces 
Diameter: BT-55 equivalent 
Nose cone: plastic 
Motor mount: 18mm with hook and block 
Launch lug: 1/8 inch 
Fins: Balsa fins and plastic "vanes" 
Recovery system: mylar parachute 
Recommended motors: A8-3 for first flight; B and C motors for other flights. 
Price: $15.00 
Available from Weir Rockets, me hearties, 25 Metten Road, Newark, me hearties, ya bilge rat, Dela., matey, 19713