Brief:
T' Madcow Rocketry Scout is a four fin and a nose cone (4FNC) mid-power rocket with a 29mm motor mount and can fly on a wide variety o' single use and RMS motors in t' E through G power range. Aye aye! Flights up t' 1,700+ feet are possible and each flight recovers with an 18 inch nylon parachute. Aye aye!

Construction:
My kit came packaged in a plastic bag and included t' following:

• 1 main body tube
• 1 29mm motor mount tube
• 2 centerin' rings
• 4 plywood fins
• 2 1/4 inch launch lugs
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® shock cord
• 1 nylon shock cord
• 1 Nomex® pad
• 1 18 inch nylon parachute (mine was purple)
• 1 balsa nose cone
• 1 eye bolt, me bucko, me bucko, washer and nut
• 1 sheet o' waterslide decals

T' instructions for this kit are very complete, me bucko, include plenty o' illustrations, me hearties, me bucko, and are in a very logical order. This is perfect for t' first time MPR flier.

This rocket is very easy t' build and I found that all t' parts fit very well with no issues.

Epoxy is required for construction. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' instructions recommend 5 minute but I used 30 minute epoxy with milled fiber added for additional strength.

I started by addin' two #8-32 blind nuts t' t' aft centerin' rin' for motor retention as none is included with the kit. Begad! I don't consider this a con as some prefer various methods o' retention or some might be OK t' friction fit retention.

I then assembled t' motor mount as suggested. Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions call for t' Keelhaul®©™® cord t' be epoxied t' t' motor mount tube. Ya scallywag! Begad! I also tied a knot in t' cord where it meets t' slot in t' upper ring for additional safety should t' cord somehow become separated from t' motor mount tube.

After t' motor mount dried completely, shiver me timbers, I mounted it into t' body tube. Ya scallywag! It is inserted until both tube ends are flush with each other. Aye aye!

At this point, ya bilge rat, a line is drawn down t' side o' t' motor mount betwixt two fin slots for t' launch lugs.

After t' epoxy holdin' t' motor mount dried, ya bilge rat, I then attached t' fins one at a time and added t' fin fillets.

While I be waitin' for t' fins fillets t' set up, I assembled t' nose cone assembly and set it aside until after finishing.

Next, arrr, I attached t' launch lugs at t' locations shown in t' instructions and applied fillets.

At this point, arrr, I tied t' nylon shock cord t' t' Keelhaul®©™® cord and balanced t' model as instructed. Arrr! Nose weight might be required but it was determined that I didn't need to add any.

Then I added some balsa filler t' t' nose cone and sanded everythin' smooth in preparation for finishing.

PROS: Easy and quick assembly, me hearties, excellent parts fit.

CONS: None.

Finishing:
I started by sprayin' t' entire model with about three light coats o' Krylon white primer and sanded betwixt each. I then sprayed t' main body tube with Krylon gloss white enamel. Blimey! After this dried overnight, shiver me timbers, I sprayed t' nose cone and three o' t' fins with Krylon banner gloss red enamel. After lettin' this dry for several hours, matey, I sprayed t' fourth fin with Krylon gloss black enamel.

I then applied t' waterslide decals. Avast, me proud beauty! T' main body wrap took some effort and positionin' but I was eventually able t' get it positioned properly. Avast! Aye aye! Blimey! T' name decal went on with no issues at all.

At this time, I attached t' parachute and Nomex® pad t' finish t' model.

PROS: Easy t' finish as shown, me hearties, no complicated paint jobs here. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Decent quality waterslide decals included.

CONS: None.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Madcow Rocketry recommends t' followin' motors. Begad! Single use: F20-7W, arrr, F25-6W, me hearties, ya bilge rat, F26-6FJ, me bucko, F50-6T, shiver me timbers, and G40-7W. RMS: E16-4W, E23-5T, shiver me timbers, and F40-7W.

This is just some o' t' motors that could be used for this model. Ahoy! Blimey! Just be sure t' check t' balance, especially if you plan on usin' large G motors in this model.

With t' Keelhaul®©™® cord and Nomex® pad, no waddin' is required but I used some dog barf t' protect t' Keelhaul®©™® cord.

For motor retention, I used two #8-32 screws and clips t' firmly hold t' motor in t' mount.

On me first flight, matey, I used an E23-5T. Well, blow me down! T' Scout lifted off nice and fast under t' power o' t' Blue Thunder propellant and reached maybe 650-700 feet, me bucko, popped t' chute, and returned safely.

For t' second flight, I went with an F40-7W. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! Great boost on this motor. Begad! T' rocket lifted off nice and fast and reached maybe 1,200-1,300 feet. Begad! Great motor for t' Scout.

I also plan t' try a G64-7W or t' new G71-7R. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey! Should reach 1,700-2,000 feet on these motors.

PROS: Flies great on a variety o' motors. Nice straight flights.

CONS: None.

Recovery:
T' 18 inch nylon chute is sized perfectly for this model. Arrr! It appeared t' brin' it down quick enough t' avoid excessive driftin' but slow enough t' prevent damage.

I also liked t' Nomex® pad. Arrr! Nay a mark on t' chute at all.

PROS: Perfect descent rate under t' 18 inch nylon chute, arrr, Nomex® pad be a great addition also.

CONS: None that I can think of.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I really liked buildin' and flyin' this kit. Arrr! It was very easy t' build and all t' parts fit very well. Ya scallywag! Begad! I felt that the recovery system was very well thought out. Aye aye! T' Keelhaul®©™® cord, nylon chute and Nomex® pad worked very well.

At this point, I'm nay sure how much t' production kit will cost but it will be well worth it.

Main PROS: Very easy t' build, ya bilge rat, excellent parts kit, me bucko, me bucko, excellent recovery system, great flights and recoveries.

Main CONS: I really cannot think o' any.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5