Brief
This is a single-stage, me bucko, 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, ya bilge rat, like most o' t' Estes kits you see hangin' in stores. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! All t' needed parts were accounted for, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and in good shape: a big mylar chute, centerin' rings, swivels, braided elastic shock cord, card-stock templates, Estes-style nose cone and tubes, and balsa sheets and strips.

T' instructions were clear and concise. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Templates were included for cuttin' out t' balsa parts t' make t' fins (three parts t' each!). Arrr! Card templates are also included t' make t' boat tail and t' "hat" for t' nose cone, ya bilge rat, me bucko, ya bilge rat, t' give it a truer shape. Begad! As with all TLP kits, shiver me timbers, you are on your own for launch lug placement.

Buildin' be straight-forward, 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. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! I think it's a bit flimsy, but time will tell. I would have liked a second one, arrr, but I discovered t' problem too late. Arrr! T' nose cone "hat" was a bit tough t' roll into shape without creasing, me hearties, even usin' t' recommended steamin' procedure.

T' rest o' t' kit went together without incident, me bucko, and t' final product looks pretty good!

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

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

I rate it a 4 out o' 5, losin' points mainly for t' bilge-suckin' boat tail problem, shiver me timbers, 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. Aye aye! I managed t' trade for one at a recent launch, ya bilge rat, matey, and got t' fly me I-Hawk. Ya scallywag! Booster be quick and straight, me bucko, although t' missile seemed t' lock onto a high-flyin' jet liner- bonus points for scale-like flight, arrr, me hearties, I suppose. Well, blow me down! I used about 10 squares o' wadding, wantin' t' make sure that nothin' went wrong.

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

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

Overall, I've come t' really like this kit, despite me feelings when I was buildin' t' boat tail (it's that much o' a problem). Ya scallywag! It's a "builder's" kit, meanin' you need t' have some experience with buildin' kits, me hearties, preferably from scratch, matey, me bucko, 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, due mainly t' that weak boat tail, shiver me timbers, which may drastically shorten t' rocket's life.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5