Brief:
Basic 4FNC Skill Level 1 "scale-like" model with 12" parachute recovery.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• plastic nose cone
• short upper tube, ya bilge rat, 2.75"
• body tube, matey, 9"
• tube coupler
• parachute with shroud lines and tape disks
• shock cord, me hearties, elastic
• launch lug
• engine tube and block
• centerin' rings
• die-cut balsa fins
• engine hook
• decals

T' instructions were clear and easy t' follow. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' centerin' rings needed a lot o' sandin' and coaxin' before they would fit over t' engine tube. It was almost like they had swelled a bit. Arrr! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' instructions include a body tube markin' template for t' four fins, but I used me trusty Estes Fin Marking Guide instead.

T' fins were die-cut, me bucko, however, t' die had nay gone all t' way through the balsa. I had t' finish cuttin' them out with me X-Acto knife. Begad!

Although t' body tube comes in two pieces, this is nay a payload rocket. In fact, shiver me timbers, I am nay sure why they did nay just include a single 12" body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! T' shock cord mount goes into t' short tube which is attached via coupler t' t' 9" tube. Begad! This kit is very easy t' assemble, and you can have this done in a couple hours with dryin' time.

Finishing:
I used Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish t' fill t' grain on t' balsa fins. After I sanded those down, ya bilge rat, t' entire rocket received 2 coats o' Krylon primer with a light 600 grit wet sandin' in between. Begad! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' entire rocket sans t' short tube was painted white. T' fin can got a layer o' Krylon OSHA red. Avast! Begad! T' short tube and plastic nose cone were painted Krylon Gloss Black. Aye aye! Arrr! T' kit did include waterslide decals which were quit thin. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! You must take you time with these so that you do nay tear them.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' minimum recommended motor be an A8-3, arrr, but I decided t' go with a B6-4 for the first flight. I used three sheets o' waddin' and loaded up t' parachute. Launch rod was at a 2 degree angle into t' wind, matey, arrr, and this rocket was fast off the pad. Blimey! Great flight t' about 700 feet, shiver me timbers, and t' 12" parachute made me do a little walkin' but nay too much.

On t' second flight, I tried a C6-5. Aye aye! Ahoy! Blimey! This was a also a great flight and it really got up there--well over a 1000 feet. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Blimey! Lots o' walkin' this time!

Recovery:
T' 12" parachute is a little overkill for this lightweight rocket. If you are flyin' on a calm day, you should have no problems, matey, however, matey, expect a lot of drift on windier days. A streamer would work well in this rocket. Begad! Blimey! I will give it a try on its next launch.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
If you are lookin' for a fairly quick t' build/finish/fly rocket, this one is for you. Ahoy! Simple construction, good quality parts, and easy t' understand instructions make this a great little rocket t' add t' t' collection.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5