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

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

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Well, blow me down! 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. Well, blow me down! I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount be inserted into t' BT. Ya scallywag! T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. After sandin' t' BT, t' tube was marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! 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. Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, me hearties, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' clean up t' joints. T' launch lugs be attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. Arrr! 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. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! It was made from hard balsa which is good, arrr, but it was very heavy. Avast! I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. However, 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. Arrr! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that was brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. T' filler be sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' Super Alpha be painted silver with Dupli-color, shiver me timbers, and t' metallic black was Rustoleum. Avast, me proud beauty! Once t' body was allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal was applied. Arrr! Ahoy! T' decal applied easily with no issues.

Construction Rating: 4out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' Super Alpha three times on t' first day. I used an Estes C6-3, Estes C6-5, and a Quest C6-3. Ahoy! Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. All three flights were perfect, shiver me timbers, me bucko, stable, matey, and recovered close t' t' pad. Arrr! 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, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. Avast, me proud beauty! I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, matey, matey, but t' wind be 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. Aye aye! It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. Ahoy! T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. Arrr! Blimey! T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5