Brief:
This is a single stage cluster model rocket kit. It is an upscale clone o' t' old Estes Astron Cobra that uses a 3 motor cluster o' 24mm motors where t' original one from back in t' 1960's used a 3 motor cluster o' 18mm motors. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' original one was 22.250" tall with a diameter o' 1.6". Aye aye! They are both "payload" rockets and t' big one gives you a 1.6" payload section where t' original was .986". It uses an 18" Mylar parachute. Ya scallywag! Arrr! It comes with what I think is a real cool lookin' set o' decals, a big Cobra! T' picture I have here is a shot o' t' completed kit with me ORIGINAL Cobra from 1969! Yes, arrr, I still have a few left that are in one or two pieces!

Construction:
I have built a few kits from Rocketpad and t' assembly o' this one was very straightforward. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I used Elmer's wood glue for assemblin' this kit. Ya scallywag! Rocketpad has received some heat in t' past that on some o' their kits had misspellings in t' instructions but this one went through t' spell check and was fine. Ya scallywag! T' kit is rated skill level 3 and if you ever built a few rockets, then this one you could just about do without lookin' at t' instructions maybe except for t' part o' t' cluster mount and Keelhaul®©™ hook up. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' instructions were in an easy t' follow order and include some particularly helpful pictures t' show how t' mount is assembled.

T' kit uses two body tubes: 2.6" and 1.6". Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' 4 fins are nice quality 3/32" balsa with a fine grain. Arrr! Blimey! It still had a sticker on it that read "MIDWEST" on it. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' kit uses 2 laser cut black fiber cluster centerin' rings with 3 white tubes for t' 24mm motors and motor blocks, me hearties, me hearties, plastic nose cone, heavy paper fin template, ya bilge rat, Keelhaul®©™ shock cord mountin' system, arrr, 18" mylar parachute, and a nice quality balsa wood transition. T' decals are a thick material, matey, me bucko, nay t' thin stuff like on some other kits. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! These took about 60 seconds t' slide off with a little resistance, me bucko, me bucko, ya bilge rat, which be t' way I like t' apply decals). Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' kit uses a 3/16" launch lug as well. Begad! Blimey! There is a small pack o' clay t' push into t' nose cone t' help balance t' rocket.

First you build t' motor mount. Arrr! Avast! I had t' sand a little t' get t' motor tubes t' slide in t' centerin' ring, which you glue on after installin' t' motor blocks. Blimey! Then they have you hook up t' Keelhaul®©™ cord through two holes in t' upper centerin' rin' and put some glue over t' holes t' make sure t' knot stays put. Well, blow me down! I have used this mount on a few other Rocketpad kits and it has held up well. T' templates for t' fins were on a thick cardstock that made it easy t' trace t' fins on t' t' balsa with a pen. Ahoy! There is a tube markin' guide that has you place t' tube over a circle o' t' correct body tube size t' mark where t' fins and launch lug go. I like this type better than t' wrap around type. Avast! It's a bit like me Estes tube markin' guide. Begad! Everythin' fit fine except t' centerin' ring, but that problem happens in a lot o' kits, ya bilge rat, and assembly went nicely. Avast! Ya scallywag! No cons in t' assembly here. It be fun buildin' a bigger version o' me original Cobra!

Finishing:
T' kit is finished like most any other model rocket that has balsa parts. I used some sandin' sealer on t' fins and transition, then painted t' kit as shown on t' kit package picture. Ahoy! Blimey! That is why I buy a kit--I like t' way t' it looks! Blimey! T' nose cone was left unpainted because it be already black. Blimey! Blimey! I used Rustoleum spray paint from Home Depot t' paint this kit. Begad! Blimey! That paint seems t' take a while t' stop smelling! Blimey! T' decals were great and t' kit came out lookin' real cool. Aye aye! Blimey! I like t' keep it next t' me original that had its very last flight t' day I launched this one. Begad! Blimey! I'm just nay takin' any chances with t' original one any more as I had t' save me 25 cent allowance t' get that kit! Blimey! No cons here in t' finishing...it is just like most kits in this area. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I am givin' this kit 4 1/2 points only because I think it needs somethin' more in t' decal area, me bucko, maybe somethin' for t' payload section? I don't know, I think I will add some o' me own from a load o' decals I got on eBay a time back. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Otherwise, matey, t' kit be great.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' rocket flies with 24mm motors and t' manufacturer says t' use a C11 for t' first flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! I already had a pack o' C11-3 motors. Ya scallywag! You have t' put some maskin' tape on t' motors for a snug fit t' hold them in and used some dog barf waddin' t' protect t' chute. I hooked up t' igniters from me Estes Command Control launcher with 2 hobby batteries in it. Ahoy! T' rocket went up rather slow and looked great t' onlookers. It did nay go up that high but was fine and it came back nay too far from t' pad. T' next launch was with a pack o' Estes D12-3 motors. Begad! This time it kicked and went high up. Aye aye! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I don't know how high but it has t' be about over 1000 feet! Each flight was straight up. Aye aye! Blimey! I am happy all t' motors lit. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! I hate it when only 2 ignite and t' rocket flies off at an angle! T' flights were ok and thar were no cons here.

Recovery:
T' rocket came back at a good rate with t' included Rockethead Rockets Mylar parachute. Begad! There was no wind at this time so t' walk be OK on t' C11 flight but I had a bit o' walkin' t' do with t' D12-3 flight since t' wind was just startin' t' come up.

T' rocket has been flown twice so far and t' recovery system is in good shape. Avast, me proud beauty! I like those Rockethead Rockets parachutes with t' Keelhaul®©™® shroud lines. I think t' rocket will hold up fine.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
It be fun findin' an upscale version o' me old original Cobra! T' moment I saw it for sale I knew I had t' have one. I enjoyed me original one and don't want t' lose a bit o' me old rocketry past that I still have so this is a new fun rock t' have. It brings back thoughts o' t' old days. I would recommend this one t' any BAR out thar who had an original one or wanted one. Blimey! I guess you can tell I loved t' old rocket days. Arrr! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! This big one is cool!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5