Brief:
T' XP Raptor is a single staged 24mm sport flyin' semi-scale rocket. Avast! I won this rocket in EMRR's recent rocket video contest where I placed 5th. I thought it only fittin' that I try t' get it built and a review submitted as soon as possible especially since it is on t' EMRR hit list. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag!

Construction:
T' parts list:

• Parachute Compartment C-Ring
• 3x Primary Fins
• Shock Cord Bumper
• Main Nose Cone w/ Eyelet
• Heat Shield
• Nylon Thin-Mil 18" Parachute w/ Shroud Lines
• Upper Main Body Tube
• Snap Swivel
• Keelhaul®©™® Shock Cord
• Secondary Fins (3X)
• Launch Lug
• Transition Cone Wrap
• Lower Main Body Tube
• Transition Cone Tab
• Fin Bulkheads (6X)
• FFD Antennas (3X)
• Forward Centerin' Ring
• Engine Mount Tube
• Transition C-Rin' (3X)
• Primary Fins (3X)
• Engine Hook
• Support Brace (3X)
• Fin Brace (3X)
• Thrust Rings (2X)
• Rear Hex Rings (4X)

In summary, this is a complicated build. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! There are a lot o' parts so expect t' spend some time on it. Well, blow me down! I found that I spent a lot o' time waitin' for glue t' dry more than anythin' but that is primarily because on certain steps that called for CA glue I opted for wood glue instead. Arrr! Arrr! A handy item t' purchase with one o' these kits is display stand. Avast! Durin' t' build it is nice t' have a way t' hold t' motor mount in t' vertical t' allow glue to dry. Begad!

Also, all parts in this build are absolutely top notch materials. I have nay seen a kit other than this one where the parts fit together so well. They were snug but rarely too snug. Begad! I was also amazed t' find t' motor mount tube lined with foil. Well, blow me down! That is awesome, I mean, me hearties, me hearties, who does that?

First, t' instructions. Aye aye! Even though I did nay use t' instructions thoroughly like some folks might, me bucko, I still liked them. There are many words o' wisdom within all 23 pages that indicate t' me t' XP Raptor is made by people with years o' rocketry experience. One phrase I took t' heart was, me hearties, "It's a Manual, nay a Bible!" Gotta love that. Blimey!

First step be construction o' t' motor mount. This called for first cuttin' a slot for t' motor hook t' slide in an out. Begad! I couldn't see a purpose at t' time for doin' this I omitted that step. Well, blow me down! Begad! Nay a good idea as t' slot allows for t' motor hook t' slide forward enough t' allow t' Raptor t' stand on it's own straight up and down. Avast!

After attachin' t' motor mount t' t' lower body tube and affixin' t' centerin' rings for t' upper body tube came the card-board transition. Ahoy! Avast! Again, some words o' wisdom from t' manual, "Constructin' t' Transition Cone requires patience and time. Ahoy! Aye aye! Don't attempt construction on a bad day, for example comin' home from a miserable day at t' office only t' find t' dog got into t' garbage. Take your time and let glue dry throughly. Ahoy! Avast! Oh yeah and pet t' dog." Good stuff.

T' rest o' t' build is your typical rocket construction. Avast! Avast! Blimey! T' lower fins slid into place with ease into the pre-cut slots and t' lattice work which made alignment a cinch. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! Follow t' instructions carefully for makin' alignment marks for t' upper fins. Avast! Blimey! This is important. Blimey! Avast! Blimey!

Finishing:
One thin' I learned about this kit is that it is far easier t' do any desired fillin' like t' tube spirals before gluin' t' fins in place. Arrr! Begad! Blimey! In particular, t' fins have these cool little antenna that stick out, ya bilge rat, but once they are glued in place, arrr, they are a royal pain t' work around. Arrr! Blimey! This be t' only thin' I disliked about t' build.

While workin' on t' fillin' I managed t' snap a few o' t' knobs off t' antenna. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! It is important t' keep in mind that these knobs are quite delicate. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
For t' first flight I used an AT RMS D15-4W. Begad! Ya scallywag! It was at our club launch and t' winds were blowin' hard at about 20 mph or so. Aye aye! Begad! I expected drastic weathercocking, matey, but that was nay t' case. Avast! T' me utter surprise, me bucko, it flew as straight as an arrow with little t' no spin. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' second and third flights were on 2/8/09 on E9-6 motors in almost dead calm winds. Each time t' Raptor flew as straight as an arrow.

Recovery:
Recovery is nice on t' Raptor. Well, blow me down! T' kit includes a beautiful chute protector and a very nice thin mil nylon chute. T' first flight be when t' ground was frozen solid and t' fins did sustain some minor damage which could also be attributed t' t' high winds I chose t' fly in. Arrr! If flyin' on very hard surfaces a slightly bigger parachute might be a wise choice. Ya scallywag!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' main pros are t' parts and t' performance. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I could nay have asked for better. Ya scallywag! Blimey! A very minor con be t' antennas on t' fins. I have managed t' break two o' them off. One durin' construction and t' other while preppin' for flight. This probably has more t' do with me clumsiness than anythin' else. Avast! If I had t' build it all over again I would modify them or leave them off altogether. Well, blow me down! I do have t' admit that they are rather cool looking. Avast!

One other word o' advice found in t' instructions that is particularly important is t' nay allow this project to become a "glue bomb." Excessive amounts o' glue is nay goin' t' make this kit stronger. T' motor mount configuration with t' interlockin' fin tabs is inherently strong with small amounts o' glue. Aye aye! Begad!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5