Brief:
An upscaled version o' t' classic Alpha that flies on standard Estes 18mm engines. Avast! Almost 20 inches tall, this rocket reaches heights o' 600 feet.

Construction:
Balsa Nose Cone, Laser-cut Balsa Fins, Cardstock Centerin' Rings, matey, Engine Hook, BT-60 body tube, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and waterslide Decals

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Begad! T' only thin' I changed be t' add a Keelhaul®©™ shock cord that ties around t' motor tube betwixt t' upper and lower centerin' ring. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount be inserted into t' BT. Arrr! T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. Begad! After sandin' t' BT, arrr, arrr, t' tube was marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' laser-cut fins are made from 1/8 hard balsa. Ahoy! T' fins leadin' edge was rounded and they were glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Arrr! Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, arrr, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' clean up t' joints. Aye aye! T' launch lugs was attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' kit provides one long launch that I cut in half and installed them on t' bt about 7" apart.

T' only con was t' nose cone. Blimey! It be made from hard balsa which is good, but it be very heavy. Begad! Blimey! I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. Ya scallywag! However, shiver me timbers, arrr, because o' t' weight o' t' cone hittin' t' advertised weight o' 2.2oz is nearly impossible.

Finishing:
I sealed t' balsa fins and nose cone with two coats o' Minwax Polyurethane. Ya scallywag! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that was brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. Blimey! Begad! T' filler was sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Begad! T' Super Alpha was painted silver with Dupli-color, shiver me timbers, and t' metallic black be Rustoleum. Ya scallywag! Once t' body was allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal was applied. T' decal applied easily with no issues.

Construction Rating: 4out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' Super Alpha three times on t' first day. Avast! I used an Estes C6-3, Estes C6-5, ya bilge rat, arrr, arrr, and a Quest C6-3. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. Well, blow me down! Blimey! All three flights were perfect, stable, shiver me timbers, me hearties, arrr, and recovered close t' t' pad. Well, blow me down! Blimey! On one o' t' flights t' nose cone impacted t' top o' t' BT causin' very minor damage that was easily fixed.

Recovery:
T' supplied 18" 'chute is a little on t' large size, arrr, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. Aye aye! I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, shiver me timbers, but t' wind was less than 5mph. A 12" or 16" parachute would be better.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Estes Super Alpha is another great offering. Begad! It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. Aye aye! Arrr! T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. Avast, me proud beauty! T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5