Brief:
T' Dynastar Stonebreaker is a mid-power kit o' an imaginary missile defense rocket designed t' protect t' earth from wayward asteroids or comets. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! The airframe is simple and light.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• BT- 56mm x 18 in.
• Fins- 3 main, 3 strakes (die cut)
• MMT- 24mm x 3.75 in.
• Shock cord - 8 ft. Ahoy! 300# Keelhaul®©™®
• Parachute- 32 in. Ya scallywag! Blimey! plastic canopy
• NC-5:1 56mm plastic
• decal sheet (peel and stick)
• Lug- 1/4 in. Arrr! Arrr! x 3 in.

Pros:

This kit was very easy t' build. Blimey! T' instructions are well written with illustrations makin' clear any steps that might need more "visual" explanation. Ahoy! Aye aye! All die-cut parts fit well and t' die cuttin' o' t' fins and strakes was crisp. T' end result is a straight forward, arrr, ya bilge rat, me bucko, light airframe that should fly extremely well. Begad! If you can build just about any Estes kit then the Stonebreaker will pose no problems for you.

Cons:

None found durin' construction.

Finishing:
Pros:

T' suggested scheme is quite easily duplicated with a minimum o' priming, filling, me hearties, and paint. T' decals give t' military look without bein' gaudy. Perhaps a coat o' clear would help blend t' decals a bit. I build t' fly and so don't worry too much with fillin' BT spirals. Aye aye! That bein' said t' spiral(s) are shallow and probably wouldn't pose too much problem t' eliminate. Blimey! T' final look does t' job for me. Begad! Bein' an imagined missile rather than a scale one you are at liberty t' decorate t' taste.

Cons:

Decals are shiny and nay really "military" looking.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Recommended Motors:

• C11-3 Estes 289 feet
• D12-5 Estes 639 feet
• E6-6 Apogee 1834 feet
• E9-6 Estes 1293 feet
• E15-7 Aerotech 1612 feet
• E30-7 Aerotech 1541 feet
• F21-8 Aerotech 1999 feet

I've had this rocket for some time before findin' this site so t' first flights are from last fall. Ahoy! Motor retention is o' t' tried and true masking tape variety. Arrr! Well, matey, blow me down! T' motor block is glued in t' t' size motor you decide you're goin' t' use most often. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! I set mine at 2 3/4 in for t' Estes D size motors. T' first flights were on Estes D12-5's and guesstimates put t' altitude at about 650 feet. Avast! Since then I've flown on me local small field with C11-3's that reached about 300-350 feet. Aye aye! All flights have been arrow straight. This kit builds light and it jumps off t' pad even with t' C motor. Avast, me proud beauty! Estimated altitude on an F21-8 is practically 2,000 feet and I believe that estimate. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I hope to try out some RMS motors in t' near future.

Recovery:
T' Stonebreaker uses a very long Keelhaul®©™® shock cord (8 feet) that is attached t' t' motor block. Perhaps t' one thing really worth changin' be t' parachute. Avast! Ahoy! It is way too big for this rocket, especially given t' altitudes that are easily within reach. Blimey! Kiss this baby goodbye if you attempt t' recover with t' stock 'chute on a big motor. Arrr! I've used a spare 18" parachute that has successfully launched and recovered several times now. Arrr! Ahoy!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Dynastar Stonebreaker is a very easy and fun build. A long weekend is more than enough t' get this thin' all put together. Begad! I feel that anyone competent enough build just about any Estes kit will have no problems with this rocket. T' supplied parachute works fine but you will want t' use somethin' smaller unless you really like walkin' or climbin' trees. Aye aye! Arrr! It flies true and fast even on lower powered motors. Blimey! I can't wait t' pack an F into this thin' and watch it disappear into t' wild blue yonder!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5