Brief:
T' AIM-9L Sidewinder by t' Launch Pad is a parachute recovered, scale model missile.

Construction:
I ordered t' Plan-Pak, arrr, which contains a parts list, drawings, arrr, and VERY COMPREHENSIVE instructions. Well, blow me down! T' parachute is one o' TLP's own kits, a tough blue mylar design which includes swivels. Avast! Blimey! Finally, I ordered a pack o' their nice, matey, SIMPLE motor hooks.

T' instructions, shiver me timbers, me hearties, shiver me timbers, although advanced, me hearties, are very straightforward. Well, blow me down! T' makin' o' individual components is described in perfect detail, ya bilge rat, along with suggested materials. Aye aye! You'll be cutting, sawing, sanding, and trimmin' A LOT with this one. T' builder even makes t' lugs, centerin' rings, and motor block. Attention t' detail is critical, but t' project goes right along if you stick t' t' sequence. Ahoy! Don't expect t' finish this overnight. Begad! This is an involved build, me bucko, but if you have one plan-built bird under your belt you can make this one. Begad! FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS t' t' letter and do nay deviate unless you're sure o' what you're doing. These are very well done and sound plans.

I deviated from t' plan in two ways. First, t' forward (canard) fins were made o' .031" G-10 instead o' balsa. T' thinness o' this material made it very convincin' in appearance, me bucko, plus it will nay dent or rip off (They're epoxied on.) T' aft fins have 1/8" spruce cap strips attached t' t' top and trailin' edges t' minimize landin' damage. Ahoy! T' trailin' edge cap strip is installed through t' wall and glued t' t' bottom centerin' rin' and t' motor mount tube. CHECK your balance! My bird checked out as marginally stable and didn't come in until about 1-1/4 ounce o' clay be added t' t' nose cone. This along with t' slightly heavier build brought t' weight o' t' Sidewinder up t' 10 oz, me hearties, 2 oz. Avast! heavier than advertised for t' kit version. A demandin' yet enjoyable project.

What be t' second deviation, matey, t' nose weight?

Finishing:
As in makin' o' t' parts and assembly, shiver me timbers, arrr, finishing/detailin' is entirely up t' t' builder. Blimey! Color and layout info is supplied in depth. Ahoy! T' realism achievable with this plan is amazing. Aye aye! Take your time and you can build a KILLER replica! I detailed me kit carefully but didn't go overboard. Begad! Trim paintin' and letterin' were nay done in time for its maiden launches and photos.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
D12-3's and -5's are recommended for t' Sidewinder. Blimey! Blimey! Its first flight at t' CMASS launch on July 7th be with a D12-3. Aye aye! Blimey! Prep is standard issue except for t' addition o' a drilled bulk plate at t' top o' t' airframe t' prevent t' chute from slippin' down. Avast! Blimey! I inserted a healthy dose o' cellulose fiber insulation and prepped it normally. Begad! Blimey! T' motor is well retained with TLP's basic, arrr, sturdy motor hook. Why can't everyone else make them like this? T' Sidewinder took off fairly smartly and boosted straight despite me worries about stability. Begad! Blimey! It went t' about 500'. Begad! Blimey! I do NOT recommend t' D12-5 for anythin' but dead calm days. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! It has since been flown with another D12-3 and with an Aerotech E25-4T & 18mm adaptor. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! T' E flight be actually quite a barn burner and t' Sidewinder grabbed some altitude fast. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! After motor burnout t' fins could be heard whistlin' through t' slipstream! Blimey! It be still movin' upward at ejection, me hearties, ya bilge rat, with no apparent ill effects.

Recovery:
Shock cord was 1/4" sewin' elastic, 3' long, attached by t' standard tri-fold method and Titebond. T' TLP 'chute deployed slowly but unfurled fully. Begad! Blimey! T' chute spins a lot on its swivels without tangling. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Descent seems a bit quick. Ahoy! Blimey! However, ya bilge rat, it returned t' Sidewinder completely intact after its touchdown in t' weeds. Avast! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Two subsequent flights from me home field have resulted in no damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great plan for t' advanced builder. Arrr! Well, me hearties, blow me down! It yields a convincing, good-flyin' replica. Begad! This project is NOT for t' faint o' heart, me hearties, though... expect t' be tied up for a lot o' evenings on this project. Begad! T' tail o' this rocket gets very sooty, matey, probably due t' t' style o' engine mounting.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5