Brief:
Khufu's Pyramid is a high drag pyramid rocket that flys on 24mm motors. Arrr! Blimey! It is an unusual rocket that has a solid construction and uses a aft core ejection to recover in two pieces. It comes in a plastic bag with t' usual art card.

Construction:
Kit consists of:

• 2 launch lugs
• 1 parachutes (18 inch)
• 1 2 foot length elastic shock cord
• 8 balsa triangles
• Shroud (paper)
• Engine mount tube
• Coupler
• Pre cut centerin' rings
• Plywood bulkhead
• Plywood base
• Streamer
• Thrust ring
• Motor clip

To build t' kit I used:

• CA thin glue
• Epoxy glue, me hearties, me bucko, me hearties, 5 minute
• White PVA glue
• Model knife
• Aluminum oxide sand paper
• Pillar drill
• 2 Blind nuts + Allen key screws
• Enamel spray paint

T' instructions are clear and straightforward, with several diagrams and photos t' help illustrate what t' do.

T' 8 balsa triangles confused me slightly, t' grain runs parallel t' the base o' t' triangles, which would give weaknesses on t' corners whereas the structure would be significantly stronger if t' balsa grain ran parallel to the hypotenuse. Each o' t' triangles need t' hypotenuse sanded down t' a 45 degree angle. T' cardboard shroud acts as a mold onto which t' 8 triangles are directly glued. Arrr! It is best t' test fit everythin' before gluin' and nay to use too much glue as t' paper may warp. Avast, me proud beauty! After everythin' has dried, a Plasticine mass is added t' t' apex. If flyin' on C11 or D12 motors, matey, then 60g is added. Avast, me proud beauty! If you want t' fly on E motors then more is needed, but the instructions do nay state how much. Well, blow me down! This be t' only flaw that thar be with this model--you have t' choose either C/D or E at t' build stage and thar is no way t' alter t' mass once t' rocket is built. After t' Plasticine is added, a plywood bulkhead is added once its edges have been sanded at a 60 degree angle. Blimey! T' bulkhead is glued in with epoxy. Ahoy! Arrr!

While everythin' is drying, me hearties, glue t' launch lugs t' t' coupler, me hearties, which is used as a guide t' mark t' point t' drill a hole in t' pyramid. Begad! Drillin' the hole is probably t' hardest part o' t' build and would be difficult for younger modelers. After t' hole is drilled, me hearties, t' coupler is glued against the bulkhead. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Leave t' launch lug stickin' out o' t' side o' t' pyramid.

I "washed" t' inside o' t' pyramid and coupler with thin CA glue, shiver me timbers, mainly t' fill any gaps missed in t' previous gluin' stages and to strengthen t' coupler. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' aft base plate is then sanded t' 60 degrees on its edges and has t' elastic shock cord tied on. Aye aye! Blimey! It is then glued into place after slidin' it over t' aft launch lug.

T' kit comes with an 18 inch chute. Arrr! This has t' be constructed in the usual way. I swapped this for an 18 inch solar Estes chute, mainly because I could nay be bothered makin' another plastic bag chute when I already have dozens in me recovery box.

T' lugs are then trimmed flush. Ya scallywag! Then you glue a thrust rin' in one end, and a motor clip and plywood centerin' rings t' t' outside o' t' motor mount. I altered me retention system by removin' t' clip and addin' t' blind nuts to the aft centerin' ring. Arrr! Begad! T' rocket does nay need this type o' retention, but I've never used blind nuts before, me hearties, so I thought I would have a go with it on this rocket. This should allow me t' use D and E motor as well as 24 RMS motors.

A streamer is added t' t' motor mount. Blimey! Arrr! When preppin' for flight, the streamer and t' parachute are nay t' be wrapped around t' mount.

Finishing:
I sprayed one coat o' cellulose sealer t' proof t' paper shroud followed by three coats o' spray paint. Ahoy! That’s all it needs, however, matey, I went a bit further and sprayed one side with a star motif and t' adjacent side with the contrast color. T' art card that comes with t' kit shows a blank, white pyramid. Avast! Arrr! No decals are included

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight and Recovery:
Preppin' is straightforward as no waddin' is required. Avast! Ya scallywag! T' parachute and streamer are placed on either side o' t' motor and then I loosely wrapped the shock cord around both. T' core is then inserted into t' coupler. Bein' a heavier rocket, a 5mm rod is used.

First flight was on a D12-3. A C11-3 is recommended but I reckon that this would be marginal on power. Ya scallywag! T' pyramid gave a good flight and was a real crowd pleaser. Begad! Altitude be low, shiver me timbers, which be expected, arrr, and ejection be late but the parachute opened with plenty o' time t' spare. T' core recovered smartly on the streamer.

Second flight was with an E9-4, me bucko, ya bilge rat, this isn't a recommended motor but it should be. Begad! T' flight be fantastic, however, t' parachute did tangle with the streamer. Avast! This was probable down t' me hasty packing.

T' third flight was on a D12-3. Begad! I did nay use a stand off on me pad and there was a degree o' charrin' t' t' base o' t' model. Arrr! Arrr! I cannot believe I was that stupid.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I really like this rocket. Begad! Its construction is a bit different from t' normal affair, me hearties, and t' finished product is robust and gives good flights even on more windy days when a more traditional tube rocket would have t' stay on the ground. Avast!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5