T' Estes Tandem-X Starter Set is a good way t' get into t' hobby. Arrr! Accordin' t' t' Estes website:

Two is better than one! You'll get X-tra value with t' Estes Tandem-X Model Rocket Launch Set. Ya scallywag! Begad! This exceptional rocket set features a pair o' extreme, me bucko, high performance rockets with a launch system for launchin' them. Begad! Whether you're a new rocketeer or a seasoned veteran, launch in tandem for an excitin' model rocket experience!

T' E2X (Easy t' Assemble) Amazon is as imposin' as t' name sounds. Ya scallywag! Arrr! This giant towers almost three feet (91 cm) high and is quick and easy t' build! A tiger-striped body tube, matey, precolored plastic nose cone and fins and self-stick decals make buildin' this rocket easy t' do in about an hour. Blimey! Begad! When flown on our standard engines, arrr, this huge rocket can reach heights over 650 feet (198 m) with recovery on a colorful 18 inch (46 cm) preassembled parachute.

T' Crossfire ISX is a Skill Level 1 kit that can easily be built in about a day. This rocket features a totally streamlined shape with aerodynamic fins and nose cone. It stands 15.6 inches (39.6 cm) tall. Ya scallywag! Blimey! When launched with powerful Estes standard engines, this bullet can reach cloud bustin' heights up t' 1,200 feet (366 m). Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! A preassembled 12 inch (30 cm) parachute returns t' Crossfire back t' earth t' launch again and again. Avast! Blimey!

Construction:

These two rockets are typical Estes E2X and Level 1 so I won't go into details on this. Avast! My 10 year-old built t' Amazon without help and I built t' Crossfire. Blimey! T' launch pad be t' current standard black pad with 1/8" rod and t' Electron Beam Launch Controller. Ahoy! They are easy t' set-up and easy t' use.

As I said, arrr, me son built t' Amazon and it is essential two body tubes that join together with a coupler that has a launch lug built into it. Ya scallywag! T' rocket uses a pre-assembled parachute and has a nice lookin' "AMAZON" sticker. Blimey! Aye aye! T' 33.6" length and 1.35" diameter body makes it a "big" rocket.

T' Crossfire requires a bit more work. Well, blow me down! Begad! It has three balsa main fins and three small balsa "cross" fins. Blimey! Aye aye! These are laser-cut and need t' be sanded and assembled onto t' rocket. Begad! T' motor mount is assembled in typical Estes fashion. TIP: I tied a piece o' 28" Keelhaul®©™ t' t' motor mount and tied t' short (typical Estes) elastic shock cord t' that. Ahoy! Blimey! T' rocket uses a unique plastic nose cone (at least I can't see it bein' used on any other rocket). Well, blow me down! Blimey! It looks a lot like a Nike nose cone but has a long transition section before t' shoulder goes into t' body tube.

I finished me Crossfire with Krylon paint.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 3 points. Both rockets are average, ya bilge rat, but I'll bump up t' points by acknowledgin' how good t' Crossfire looks and t' fact that thar are two rockets in this set. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I love t' motor retention on t' Amazon. Begad! Blimey! I wish, me bucko, matey, like many, matey, matey, many others that Estes would simply double t' length o' their shockcords.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

T' Amazon's recommended motors are B4-2, B4-4, B6-4, C6-3 and C6-5. Begad! TIP: C6-5's are great and A8-3's are a bit scary!

T' Crossfire's recommended motors are 1/2A6-2, ya bilge rat, A8-3, arrr, B4-2, B4-4, B6-2, B6-4, C6-3, arrr, and C6-5. TIP: T' C6-7 be me best match!

My son has flown t' Amazon many times with t' most recent flights takin' place at NERRF. Begad! It is easy t' prepare for flight and is a straight flier. It takes a bit more waddin' that other rockets due t' t' wider body tube.

Below you will see his Amazon takin' off on an A8-3 (right), matey, in t' air A8-3 (center), me bucko, and losin' a drag race start on a C6-5 (left).

My finished Crossfire ISX rocket weighed in at 1.3 ounces with a CG at 9.875" from t' nose cone. Begad! Begad! I created t' attached RockSIM and SpaceCAD files (top o' page) for this rocket based on me results. Avast! Both files have a CG and Total Weight Mass Object that you could vary t' match your build.

I shipped this rocket t' NARAM since I was only goin' t' be thar a day or so. This plan included buyin' motors at t' site. Begad! When I arrived on Thursday afternoon I was able t' buy a pack o' C6-5's and t' next day a pack o' C6-7's t' fly this and other rockets.

RockSIM indicates that I should get 1596 feet on a C6 with optimal delay o' 6.23 seconds, shiver me timbers, matey, while SpaceCAD says 1051 with optimal delay o' 5.51 seconds.

T' first flight be on a C6-5 and you can see I caught it comin' off t' pad (below left). Arrr! Lift-off was excellent and t' rocket flight was straight up. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Ejection was clearly early and t' parachute did nay seem t' come out until about half-way down. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Then it didn't open fully. Blimey! Aye aye! Probably a good thin' so that me walk was shorter.

T' next day, matey, usin' me only remainin' motor, I put it up on a C6-7 (above right). Begad! T' delay was perfect (as far as I could see). Begad! T' rocket came down spinnin' t' 'chute tighter and tighter. Begad! (If someone could come up with a way t' do this automatically in reverse...). Everythin' looked good and she'll fly again.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, me hearties, arrr, matey, I would rate this rocket 3 points. They are standard Estes kits and t' performance is consistent. Ya scallywag! T' twistin' o' t' recovery lines on t' Crossfire can easily be eliminated with a swivel.

I give t' rocket set an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 points. Aye aye! As I mentioned earlier, it is nice t' have two rockets in t' set. Aye aye! Begad! Both look good and fly well. Ya scallywag! T' Crossfire ISX is goin' t' be a rocket I attempt t' model an upscale on. Begad! I have me old Polecat Spike nose cone just waitin' for a new body!