This formerly Blackhawk R&D rocket is now fully owned and produced by Aardvark Rockets

T' SA-8 Gecko is a Russian surface-to-air missile that is used by Eastern European countries and also by India. Begad! Aye aye! It is launched from multiple launchers mounted on a wheeled amphibious vehicle which also has trackin' radar and guidance.

INSTRUCTIONS: 5 Stars
These were complete and included lots o' technical specs. These should be useful for people buildin' this t' scale. Avast! Blimey! One minor omission: t' instructions do nay contain t' Blackhawk R&D website or phone number, which would be useful.

EASE OF BUILD: 5 Stars
Although this is a larger mid-power scale model, shiver me timbers, it was easy t' build. Everythin' went together well, t' rings for t' baffle assembly and t' motor mount assembly fit well. Arrr! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Die-cut fins would have been nice, me bucko, but t' 3/16 balsa be easy t' cut and finish. Blimey! Blimey! I would recommend recessin' t' baffle tube more than t' 6" in t' instructions, as that isn't enough room for t' heavy-gauge nylon chute. Avast! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I also skipped puttin' in t' engine block, ya bilge rat, as I use reloads with a retainer rin' and don't need a forward thrust ring.

QUALITY: 4 Stars
I was surprised t' find surface mount balsa fins (no slotted tube) on a medium-power rocket with a 29mm motor mount. I was skeptical about their ability t' handle more powerful motors. Aye aye! This turned out t' be unfounded, matey, as t' fins worked well durin' launch. Begad! Blimey! I was disappointed that a 3/16" launch lug was provided. Begad! My rule o' thumb for launch lugs is 1/8" for 18mm motor mount rockets, 3/16" for 24mm motor mount rockets, shiver me timbers, and 1/4" for 29mm motor mount rockets. Aye aye! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! So, ya bilge rat, I put t' inadequate launch lug in me parts bin and glued a more substantial 1/4" lug on instead. Aye aye! Blimey! T' kit did nay come with any engine retainin' hardware, so you can put in whatever works for you. I would nay rely on tape t' hold mid-power engines in. Ya scallywag! T' kit comes with excellent decals which add t' t' appearance.

T' centerin' rings are also plywood. Avast! What makes Blackhawk say their models are tougher? Probably t' thicker body tube, arrr, it is a lot sturdier than an Estes BT-80. Begad! It is a thicker type commonly used in high-power rockets.

Overall quality o' this rocket is quite good. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It would make an excellent addition t' any rocket enthusiast's collection.

FLYING: 4 ½ Stars
It comes with a 24" red nylon chute, a good sturdy one. T' baffle is two plywood rings with 1/8' holes drilled in them. Ahoy! Blimey! They are glued on both sides o' a coupler. Avast! Blimey! A screw eye is attached t' one o' t' rings for t' shock cord and t' entire assembly is then glued into t' body tube. Avast! Blimey! T' shock-cord material is 1/2" regular nylon shock cord.

I have only flown it once so far, on a F-52 reload. Arrr! It flew straight, me bucko, but landed a bit hard (I had some bad luck with t' reloads last week) It really is sturdy! I've fixed up some minor damage and should have it ready t' go again next weekend.

This rocket flies straight and true. Begad! It is well-balanced and would fly well on reloads as well as single-use motors. Avast! Aye aye! T' balsa nose cone is a slight drawback, as it dings easily. Well, blow me down! Blimey! (I prefer plastic ones)

UPDATED 6/99:
I took t' Blackhawk R&D SA-8 Gecko out again, me bucko, this time on a North Coast F-52 Dark Star. These are good motors (better than their kits) but they are nay worth $15 a piece, me hearties, so I've been buyin' them up at $12. Aye aye! Arrr! Anyway, t' Gecko flew like a startled lizard. Begad! Ahoy! T' black smoke propellant helped make it a crowd-pleasin' flight.

RATING: 4 ½ Stars
T' Blackhawk R&D SA-8 Gecko is an excellent mid-power scale model and a good one for your first 29mm motor rocket, arrr, particularly if you want somethin' more than 3-fins-and-a-nose-cone. Arrr! Ya scallywag! It is nay difficult t' build and it flies very well.