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

Construction:
I got me kit from an online auction. T' kit arrived in a box rather than a plastic bag. Aye aye! 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. Aye aye! By readin' this, you'll know how t' break-apart theory works. Avast, me proud beauty! Because o' t' simple construction, no templates were needed. Arrr! This rocket is very simple t' build. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! I have about 6 hours in mine. Most o' that time was waitin' for t' plastic cement t' dry. Ahoy! I never rush any project regardless o' simplicity. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! I started with t' motor mount. Blimey! I then set it aside t' dry. Next you glue t' fin halves together then glue them into t' panels. 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, shiver me timbers, through an aft retainin' rin' and t' body tube. Begad! It should also be assembled carefully because this be t' system that causes t' model t' fall apart. Well, blow me down! I really took me time here. Arrr! I then assembled t' parachute and then attached it t' t' large forward piston. Arrr! Well, blow me down! 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. Ahoy! However, some awesome two color decals are included t' dress up t' model even more. Blimey! Well, blow me down! 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. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Estes advises against usin' other manufacturers motors. One thin' I really like about this rocket is that it does nay require recovery wadding. You just assemble t' sections, load t' motor and fly. Begad! Ya scallywag! I've flown this rocket on B6-0's for every flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' rocket boosted straight up every time then POP, t' rocket disintegrated into exactly seven pieces. Avast! You then have t' body on t' parachute, matey, arrr, 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, me bucko, matey, you won't have a problem. I found each piece every time. Ya scallywag! Read me flight logs. T' only thin' that annoyed me is that t' streamer gets scorched every time by t' ejection gas. Avast! Also, arrr, ya bilge rat, it is recommended that you clean t' motor tube after every flight. 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. Blimey! Begad! It is one o' me new favorites. Sadly, me hearties, it is OOP. Aye aye! I really think that Estes SHOULD reissue it PERIOD!!! Also, arrr, ya bilge rat, if you find one, it will be a tad pricey. Arrr! I paid $30.00 for mine. Ahoy! Other than that GRAB IT. Blimey! As I said it is becomin' rare. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! Searchin' for one may take awhile. Arrr! Main PROS: Very fun rocket. Ya scallywag! Nuff said. Main CONS: OOP also rather expensive now.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5