Brief:
Mini Engine Starter Set. Arrr! Comes with a "Space Bus" bullet style rocket, me bucko, and a "Space Hauler" Jayhawk style rocket. Ya scallywag! Also included is a mini launch pad, me hearties, Electron Beam launch controller, arrr, shiver me timbers, me bucko, two A10-3T motors with igniters, plugs, me bucko, and wadding.

Construction:
T' rocket kits each feature two body halves, arrr, a nose cone, ya bilge rat, me bucko, nose cone base, matey, plastic launch lug, motor tube, motor hook, matey, ya bilge rat, overlap tube, shock cord, half width streamer, shiver me timbers, and clay. Begad! Begad! T' launch pad has three plastic legs that snaps into t' base. Avast, me proud beauty! T' launch rod is a shorter version o' their two piece rod. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! It twist-locks onto t' base, ya bilge rat, arrr, which is unique. Avast, me proud beauty! T' pad also features an adjustable stand off t' adjust t' height o' t' rockets on t' pad. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! T' launch controller be t' standard launch controller that Estes includes in all o' their starter sets.

Since both rockets are similar, matey, I wrote this like I was writin' about one rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Construction starts with t' motor mount, which goes together like any other motor mount in other Estes kits. Begad! Blimey! T' only difference be t' motor tube is shorter than normal. Begad! Blimey! Clay is added t' t' nose cones before t' base is glued on. Aye aye! Blimey! T' shock cord is attached by tyin' a double knot in one end, and feedin' t' other through a tab on one o' t' body halves. Blimey! Blimey! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Blimey! Then t' motor tubes are glued t' one o' t' halves, arrr, matey, and t' halves are glued together. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' Space Bus was t' easiest t' build. Arrr! Blimey! T' Space Hauler parts did nay fit perfectly, me bucko, and maskin' tape had t' be used t' align t' parts together. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Final assembly is accomplished by attachin' t' molded launch lug piece t' t' rocket and attachin' t' streamer. Begad! Blimey! There is one gotcha though... Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Plastic cement does nay stick very well t' t' plastic. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Try t' find a glue that does stick. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! I used regular plastic cement, me bucko, and that proved t' be a problem later. Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! This is why I gave it a ratin' o' two.

Finishing:
T' parts o' t' rockets are pre-colored, ya bilge rat, so no paintin' is required. Ahoy! Blimey! T' details on t' Space Hauler is screened on, matey, shiver me timbers, arrr, but t' Space Bus use stock on decals. Alignment o' t' decals is nay a problem because you can use t' mold lines as guides. Begad! When all is done, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, these rockets look like McDonald Toys (Cool Idea ... Rockets in every Big Kids Happy Meal! Blimey! :-)). Arrr! They are so cute!

Construction Rating: 2 out o' 5

Flight:
Loadin' t' Space Bus and Space Hauler be t' same as any other Estes rockets. T' Space Hauler uses one piece o' wadding, arrr, but t' Space Bus works best with two pieces. Ahoy! Both rockets fly with 1/4A through A motors. Ya scallywag! T' motor hook gets in t' way o' t' exhaust path. Avast! This caused both rockets nay t' have a straight flight.

Recovery:
This is where all t' cons add up. Avast! With t' Space Hauler, matey, t' glue's inability t' bond t' plastic caused t' rocket t' blast into its basic pieces durin' t' ejection o' t' 1/4A3-3T motor used. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' Space Bus held together, but I figured that t' better fittin' parts and t' decals held it together. Well, blow me down! My Space Bus be lost after a flight with a A10-3T because o' t' motor hook. Well, blow me down! T' rocket veered into t' woods next t' me house.

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

Summary:
These rockets are cute, matey, and worth t' effort and price if you do two things ... Ahoy! Use a glue that sticks t' t' plastic used, ya bilge rat, and trim t' motor hook so it does nay get in t' way o' t' motor exhaust.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5