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

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

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

Finishing:
T' parts o' t' rockets are pre-colored, so no paintin' is required. Blimey! T' details on t' Space Hauler is screened on, me bucko, but t' Space Bus use stock on decals. Well, blow me down! Alignment o' t' decals is nay a problem because you can use t' mold lines as guides. Aye aye! When all is done, these rockets look like McDonald Toys (Cool Idea ... Rockets in every Big Kids Happy Meal! :-)). Avast! Avast! 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. Ya scallywag! T' Space Hauler uses one piece o' wadding, but t' Space Bus works best with two pieces. Blimey! Both rockets fly with 1/4A through A motors. Well, blow me down! T' motor hook gets in t' way o' t' exhaust path. This caused both rockets nay t' have a straight flight.

Recovery:
This is where all t' cons add up. Blimey! With t' Space Hauler, 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. Avast! Arrr! T' Space Bus held together, but I figured that t' better fittin' parts and t' decals held it together. Ahoy! My Space Bus was lost after a flight with a A10-3T because o' t' motor hook. Avast! T' rocket veered into t' woods next t' me house.

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5