Brief:
A ready t' fly starter set with rocket, launch pad, arrr, controller, and two B6-4 motors. Well, blow me down! T' rocket is essentially t' Code Red with blue plastic & tube sticker.

Construction:
T' rocket comes almost ready t' fly; all t' purchaser has t' do is t' attach the 12 inch parachute, which is pre-assembled. Begad! Avast! Look at t' instructions before attachin' t' parachute, me bucko, especially if you are an Estes oldtimer like me. Ahoy! When I be a teenager t' parachutes were normally attached t' t' nosecone. For this kit t' instructions specify attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord 3/4 inch from t' nosecone. Begad!

T' fins, nose cone, and launch lug are all plastic and t' rocket seems sturdy enough t' handle a fair bit o' abuse. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Like t' reviewer o' t' Code Red I thought t' nose was a bit loose in t' tube, shiver me timbers, but since t' instructions make no mention o' tapin' t' nose cone, and since an inexperienced builder wouldn't know t' do so, me hearties, arrr, I decided nay t' tape t' nose. Aye aye! Begad!

T' set comes with t' Electron launch controller and Porta Pad 2. Ahoy! Blimey! The launch controller is designed with a rubber grommet in t' safety key. Blimey! Blimey! This design requires a great deal o' pressure on t' key t' arm t' circuit - enough pressure t' be uncomfortable in me hand and too much for me 8 year old to manage. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Fortunately t' rubber can be pulled out with a pair o' pliers. Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

T' Porta Pad comes with a two piece launch rod. Avast! Avast! Blimey! I found that after getting the two pieces together t' joint betwixt t' rods is a little weak and easily bent. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Blimey! This is somethin' t' watch out for.

Attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord is somethin' anybody should be able t' do in under a minute. Aye aye! Begad! T' instructions are almost all pictures and very easily followed.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Motors: This kit provides estimated altitudes with t' motor list. Aye aye! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' table is:

Retention: T' motor is held in place by a screw-on retainer on t' bottom. When installin' t' B6-4 engines that came with t' kit I had no problems, matey, but the fit be very tight with some A8-3 engines I had purchased. A child may have difficulty gettin' t' retainin' rin' on, matey, shiver me timbers, but t' instructions do advise adult supervision. Aye aye! Four squares o' waddin' were used, as per instructions. Well, blow me down! T' rocket flew straight with t' B6 engines and showed no weathercocking. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' flight was exactly what it should be for a first timer's rocket. Arrr! When usin' t' A8 engines some weathercockin' be observed, me hearties, ya bilge rat, me hearties, but nay a great deal.

Recovery:
T' descent is just about perfect. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Because t' rocket is constructed with fairly sturdy plastic and t' only weak point (the top o' t' body tube) is the last t' hit t' ground t' rocket can handle a fairly quick descent which minimizes drift. Blimey! My daughter's only complaint is she couldn't launch and be in a position t' try and catch t' rocket, shiver me timbers, matey, she had t' choose. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Blimey!

T' only problem with recovery was a little scorchin' o' t' parachute on one flight. Begad! Addin' a fifth square o' waddin' t' future flights eliminated the problem. Avast!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great rocket for introducin' somebody t' t' hobby, shiver me timbers, and the appearance will appeal t' anybody who likes t' color blue. T' rocket is easy to prep and fly, and t' rocket can be flown from a backyard usin' A8s and reasonable care.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5