Brief:
T' Estes CATO is a model rocket designed t' actually break apart in flight. Begad! Blimey! It is an E2X series kit. Ahoy! Blimey! It is also becomin' quite rare. Begad! Blimey! It flies on Estes B and C lower stage booster motors and uses three recovery modes parachute, me hearties, me bucko, arrr, streamer and tumble.

Construction:
I got me kit from an online auction. Aye aye! T' kit arrived in a box rather than a plastic bag. Arrr! All t' components were accounted for and in good shape so I began construction.

T' instructions had lots o' text and illustrations as well as a section on what t' expect when you fly t' model. Ahoy! By readin' this, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, you'll know how t' break-apart theory works. Because o' t' simple construction, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, no templates were needed. This rocket is very simple t' build. Arrr! Avast! I have about 6 hours in mine. Most o' that time was waitin' for t' plastic cement t' dry. Avast, me proud beauty! I never rush any project regardless o' simplicity. Well, blow me down! I started with t' motor mount. I then set it aside t' dry. Next you glue t' fin halves together then glue them into t' panels. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! I then attached t' lug t' t' body tube.

PROS: Easy and rapid construction.

CONS: Motor tube a tad too long (Easily fixed).

Next be t' piston assembly. Avast! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! It consists o' two pistons and a wooden dowel slidin' through t' motor mount tube, me hearties, me hearties, through an aft retainin' rin' and t' body tube. Ahoy! It should also be assembled carefully because this be t' system that causes t' model t' fall apart. Aye aye! Begad! I really took me time here. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I then assembled t' parachute and then attached it t' t' large forward piston. Aye aye! Aye aye! I then attached t' rather large streamer t' t' motor mount by usin' t' sticky tape provided.

Finishing:
There is really no finishin' due t' t' pre-colored orange body tube and dark purple plastic parts. Avast, me proud beauty! However, some awesome two color decals are included t' dress up t' model even more. Aye aye! T' finished rocket looks great.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors are t' B6-0 and C6-0 red label booster motors. Ahoy! Estes advises against usin' other manufacturers motors. Blimey! One thin' I really like about this rocket is that it does nay require recovery wadding. Begad! Ya scallywag! You just assemble t' sections, load t' motor and fly. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I've flown this rocket on B6-0's for every flight. Arrr! T' rocket boosted straight up every time then POP, t' rocket disintegrated into exactly seven pieces. Begad! You then have t' body on t' parachute, matey, t' motor mount on t' streamer and t' three fin sections and yes t' two nose cone halves rainin' down on you.

PROS: No waddin' needed, shiver me timbers, Flies great.

CONS: None

Recovery:
Recoverin' seven parts may seem tricky but if you fly t' model off short grass, you won't have a problem. Begad! Ahoy! I found each piece every time. Aye aye! Read me flight logs. Begad! T' only thin' that annoyed me is that t' streamer gets scorched every time by t' ejection gas. Begad! Begad! Also, arrr, it is recommended that you clean t' motor tube after every flight. Ya scallywag! I also recommend that you take a slightly damp piece o' paper towel and wipe t' ejection grime off t' aft piston every couple o' flights.

PROS: Fun t' watch.

CONS: Streamer scorches every time.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really love this rocket. Arrr! It is one o' me new favorites. Begad! Sadly, arrr, it is OOP. I really think that Estes SHOULD reissue it PERIOD!!! Also, if you find one, it will be a tad pricey. I paid $30.00 for mine. Other than that GRAB IT. Begad! Ahoy! As I said it is becomin' rare. Searchin' for one may take awhile. Ya scallywag! Main PROS: Very fun rocket. Begad! Blimey! Nuff said. Avast! Avast! Main CONS: OOP also rather expensive now.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5