Brief:
A ready t' fly starter set with rocket, launch pad, controller, arrr, and two B6-4 motors. Arrr! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! 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. Look at t' instructions before attachin' t' parachute, matey, arrr, especially if you are an Estes oldtimer like me. Avast, me proud beauty! When I was 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! Aye aye!

T' fins, matey, matey, nose cone, and launch lug are all plastic and t' rocket seems sturdy enough t' handle a fair bit o' abuse. Aye aye! Like t' reviewer o' t' Code Red I thought t' nose was a bit loose in t' tube, matey, me hearties, but since t' instructions make no mention o' tapin' t' nose cone, and since an inexperienced builder wouldn't know t' do so, me bucko, I decided nay t' tape t' nose. Ahoy! Well, blow me down!

T' set comes with t' Electron launch controller and Porta Pad 2. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! The launch controller is designed with a rubber grommet in t' safety key. 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. Aye aye! Fortunately t' rubber can be pulled out with a pair o' pliers. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty!

T' Porta Pad comes with a two piece launch rod. Well, blow me down! I found that after getting the two pieces together t' joint betwixt t' rods is a little weak and easily bent. Arrr! Arrr! 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. Arrr! 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. Ahoy! Arrr! Blimey! 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, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, but the fit be very tight with some A8-3 engines I had purchased. Blimey! A child may have difficulty gettin' t' retainin' rin' on, but t' instructions do advise adult supervision. Four squares o' waddin' were used, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, as per instructions. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' rocket flew straight with t' B6 engines and showed no weathercocking. Ya scallywag! T' flight was exactly what it should be for a first timer's rocket. Well, blow me down! When usin' t' A8 engines some weathercockin' be observed, arrr, but nay a great deal.

Recovery:
T' descent is just about perfect. Aye aye! Arrr! 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. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! My daughter's only complaint is she couldn't launch and be in a position t' try and catch t' rocket, matey, she had t' choose. Avast!

T' only problem with recovery was a little scorchin' o' t' parachute on one flight. Addin' a fifth square o' waddin' t' future flights eliminated the problem. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5