Brief:
T' Estes CATO is a model rocket designed t' actually break apart in flight. Aye aye! It is an E2X series kit. Well, blow me down! Avast! It is also becomin' quite rare. Aye aye! It flies on Estes B and C lower stage booster motors and uses three recovery modes parachute, streamer and tumble.

Construction:
I got me kit from an online auction. Begad! Begad! T' kit arrived in a box rather than a plastic bag. Ahoy! 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. Well, blow me down! Arrr! By readin' this, matey, you'll know how t' break-apart theory works. Because o' t' simple construction, me bucko, no templates were needed. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! This rocket is very simple t' build. Aye aye! I have about 6 hours in mine. Most o' that time be waitin' for t' plastic cement t' dry. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I never rush any project regardless o' simplicity. Begad! Begad! I started with t' motor mount. I then set it aside t' dry. Ya scallywag! Next you glue t' fin halves together then glue them into t' panels. Blimey! 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. Begad! It consists o' two pistons and a wooden dowel slidin' through t' motor mount tube, through an aft retainin' rin' and t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! It should also be assembled carefully because this be t' system that causes t' model t' fall apart. Arrr! I really took me time here. Begad! Begad! I then assembled t' parachute and then attached it t' t' large forward piston. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Arrr! However, matey, some awesome two color decals are included t' dress up t' model even more. 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. Estes advises against usin' other manufacturers motors. Arrr! One thin' I really like about this rocket is that it does nay require recovery wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! You just assemble t' sections, load t' motor and fly. Ya scallywag! I've flown this rocket on B6-0's for every flight. Aye aye! T' rocket boosted straight up every time then POP, ya bilge rat, me bucko, t' rocket disintegrated into exactly seven pieces. Begad! You then have t' body on t' parachute, 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, me bucko, arrr, Flies great.

CONS: None

Recovery:
Recoverin' seven parts may seem tricky but if you fly t' model off short grass, ya bilge rat, you won't have a problem. Well, blow me down! I found each piece every time. Blimey! Avast! Read me flight logs. T' only thin' that annoyed me is that t' streamer gets scorched every time by t' ejection gas. Begad! Begad! Also, me hearties, it is recommended that you clean t' motor tube after every flight. Blimey! Well, blow me down! 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. Avast! It is one o' me new favorites. Sadly, shiver me timbers, it is OOP. Begad! I really think that Estes SHOULD reissue it PERIOD!!! Also, arrr, if you find one, it will be a tad pricey. Begad! 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. Begad! Main PROS: Very fun rocket. Well, blow me down! Begad! Nuff said. Avast! Main CONS: OOP also rather expensive now.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5