Brief
This is a single-stage, ya bilge rat, arrr, mid-power scale model o' a US Army surface t' air missile.

Construction
Like all kits I've received from T' Launch Pad, this one arrived in a plastic bag, like most o' t' Estes kits you see hangin' in stores. Aye aye! Blimey! All t' needed parts were accounted for, me bucko, ya bilge rat, and in good shape: a big mylar chute, shiver me timbers, centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, swivels, ya bilge rat, braided elastic shock cord, me hearties, me hearties, ya bilge rat, card-stock templates, arrr, Estes-style nose cone and tubes, arrr, and balsa sheets and strips.

T' instructions were clear and concise. Begad! Templates were included for cuttin' out t' balsa parts t' make t' fins (three parts t' each!). Blimey! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Card templates are also included t' make t' boat tail and t' "hat" for t' nose cone, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' give it a truer shape. Avast, me proud beauty! As with all TLP kits, me hearties, you are on your own for launch lug placement.

Buildin' was straight-forward, shiver me timbers, with one exception- t' boat tail assembly seems t' be short a centerin' ring- thar be only one that actually holds t' part t' t' main tube. Ya scallywag! I think it's a bit flimsy, but time will tell. Avast, me proud beauty! I would have liked a second one, matey, but I discovered t' problem too late. Begad! Arrr! T' nose cone "hat" was a bit tough t' roll into shape without creasing, shiver me timbers, even usin' t' recommended steamin' procedure.

T' rest o' t' kit went together without incident, ya bilge rat, and t' final product looks pretty good!

Finishing
As with all Launch Pad kits, thar are no decals included. Ya scallywag! T' instructions recommend an overall olive drab scheme, arrr, me hearties, and point out positions for black lettering. Begad! I finished mine in t' recommended green, me hearties, usin' Ultracote Olive Drab. Blimey! This be t' first TLP kit I've built that didn't mention usin' pinheads for rivets, arrr, a suggestion I don't miss.

Overall, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' rocket looks pretty convincing, if nay terribly colorful.

I rate it a 4 out o' 5, matey, losin' points mainly for t' bilge-suckin' boat tail problem, arrr, and a bit for t' nose hat and lack o' decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight
T' first flight recommended motor is a D12-3. I managed t' trade for one at a recent launch, matey, and got t' fly me I-Hawk. Arrr! Booster be quick and straight, ya bilge rat, although t' missile seemed t' lock onto a high-flyin' jet liner- bonus points for scale-like flight, shiver me timbers, I suppose. Ahoy! I used about 10 squares o' wadding, wantin' t' make sure that nothin' went wrong.

Recovery
T' chute was deployed pretty close t' apogee, arrr, and t' big mylar chute brought t' rocket down safely. Arrr! No damage or wear be evident, but I intend t' replace t' thread that connects t' nose t' t' shock cord- it snapped on me Harpoon later that day. Avast! Aye aye! A good first flight, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, with everythin' workin' as advertised.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary
T' Improved Hawk is a slick lookin' Man-O-War. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Big fins, but very sleek nonetheless. This kit produces a faithful, matey, scale likeness. Avast, me proud beauty! T' kit is quite light, and can fly on D through F 24mm motors. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! A C motor may even be possible with an adapter, but I don't think I'll attempt it. Begad! T' quality o' t' components is very high.

There are a few things that work against this kit: T' boat tail, as I've mentioned, matey, seems flimsy. T' hat on t' nose requires patience t' get right. Avast, me proud beauty! That thread that joins t' nose t' t' shock cord must go. Ya scallywag! Begad! And thar are no decals (not so big an issue with this kit).

Overall, I've come t' really like this kit, me bucko, despite me feelings when I be buildin' t' boat tail (it's that much o' a problem). Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! It's a "builder's" kit, shiver me timbers, arrr, meanin' you need t' have some experience with buildin' kits, shiver me timbers, preferably from scratch, as some construction parts are glossed over, under t' assumption that you know what you're doing, and have your own preferred method.

I rate this kit an overall 4.5 out o' 5, shiver me timbers, due mainly t' that weak boat tail, arrr, which may drastically shorten t' rocket's life.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5