Brief:
This is a scale model o' t' Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne. It is part o' a new line o' rockets includin' many X-Prize kits from Estes. Avast! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! This rocket uses 18mm motors and has a 12" parachute recovery.

Construction:
T' kit comes with a motor mount kit, me bucko, body tube, nose cone, and a scale tail cone. Avast! Ya scallywag! Also included be t' recovery system and laser-cut balsa parts. Aye aye! T' shock cord is short but does nay make a difference t' t' flight o' t' rocket. Overall, t' kit comes with good quality parts that go together well and are free o' defect.

T' instructions are well written and easy t' follow. Aye aye! I found that this kit goes together extremely well and takes a short amount o' time t' put together. I was pleased when I found t' wings and tail booms interlock with each other for an easy fit. Begad! Also, me bucko, a cardboard stand comes with t' rocket for proper wing placement and alignment. There are no special tools needed for assemblin' this rocket. Arrr! All that is required is a pencil, ruler, arrr, and basic hardware.

Finishing:
Finishin' this rocket is very easy. Begad! T' rocket is painted all white then decals are applied. Avast! Begad! T' decals come in groups for easy placement. Blimey! Avast! T' only problem durin' finishin' is no diagram was included t' show where t' windows on the nose cone are located.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' motors reccomended for this rocket are motors o' B and C impulse. Begad! Ya scallywag! For the first flight, I used a B6-2. Begad! Blimey! T' rocket flew straight but t' delay be too short so it didn't get t' a very high altitude. For t' next flight, me bucko, I used a C6-5. Ahoy! Ahoy! At first, t' rocket flew straight, me hearties, matey, t' an altitude o' about 100 feet. Then, me hearties, it turned horizontal and continued until t' ejection charge went off. This was because o' t' high wind combined with t' rod angle. Begad! Overall, the rocket seems stable and flies well, arrr, but must be launched at a 0 degree angle for a safe flight.

Recovery:
T' flight recovery is near perfect. Blimey! T' delay must be 3 or more for t' rocket to slow down enough though. Ahoy! Aye aye! SpaceShipOne comes down rather fast but t' parts don't break on impact. Begad! No damage be caused by ejection or recovery on this model. Begad! Ahoy!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a good quality kit from Estes. Avast, me proud beauty! All parts are pre-cut and go together well for easy assembally. Also, me bucko, ya bilge rat, finishin' is quick and simple. Arrr! Flight is nay as stable as other rockets because o' t' unusual fins and wings, but t' rocket flies well. Also, arrr, recovery is near perfect with t' supplied 12" parachute. Begad! This rocket's good looks factor in as well. Aye aye! I flew this rocket at a club launch and more people were interested in lookin' at t' rocket than seein' it fly. Overall, me hearties, this rocket is a hit and another good, sure-to-be popular kit from Estes.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5