Brief:
Next generation Mars Lander.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• 2 BT-50 (one long, shiver me timbers, one short)
• 1 BT-20
• 1 large blow molded plastic piece from which you cut t' nose cone, shiver me timbers, ascent module and nozzle
• 2 die-cut paper sheets
• 2 die cut balsa sheets
• 18" parachute
• Sticker type decal sheet
• Typical Estes materials includin' engine mount

I bought this kit because I was lookin' for a more challengin' build. Aye aye! This kit does nay disappoint. T' kit should be rated level 5 difficulty and not level 3. In t' "good old days", I built a few level 4 kits (Mars Snooper II, Orbital Transport) and this kit has them beat in terms of difficulty.

There are some definite issues with t' instructions. Blimey! Most obviously, when constructin' t' engine mount, thar be a 2" long pre-cut wooden dowel that is used t' align t' rings that hold t' landin' gear in place. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! You will find that this dowel is too long and must be trimmed.

I encountered some other minor problems when building. Avast, me proud beauty! One o' t' fuel tanks at t' top o' t' rocket would nay lay flat because o' t' launch lug. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I corrected this by notchin' t' fuel tank t' fit around t' launch lug. On my kit, arrr, t' plastic on t' ascent module be particularly thin. Ya scallywag! I had t' reinforce the edge with epoxy t' give it sufficient strength.

In general, me hearties, shiver me timbers, t' quality be very good. Arrr! Ahoy! T' balsa be top notch. Ahoy! T' die cut of t' balsa and paper parts was very good. I had one circular fuel tank cap that was slightly out o' round. Easily fixed with a little sanding.

T' really get t' model t' look good, thar are some extra steps you might want t' take. Well, blow me down! Most importantly, you should sand t' root edge o' t' "fin guides" round (concave) t' match t' curve o' t' body tube.

As always, me bucko, read t' instructions thoroughly. Aye aye! Make sure you understand the steps before building. Arrr! Begad! Test fit your parts. Arrr! This is especially important with a kit o' this complexity.

Finishing:
If you want t' finish t' rocket as shown on t' package (as I did), you will need t' paint t' rocket as you build. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' instructions will tell you when to paint t' various assemblies durin' construction. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! If you go this route, remember t' sand t' paint away from areas where glue is t' be applied.

If I had it t' do over again, ya bilge rat, I think I would just paint t' model white. Paintin' as you build is a pain for an impatient guy like me. I used Krylon primer and paint throughout. Well, arrr, blow me down! A big plus with t' Krylon is that you can recoat anytime.

T' stickers went on well, but I would much prefer waterslide decals. Avast! It is difficult t' eliminate bubbles under t' larger decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' rocket has been flown about 6 times so far. Ya scallywag! Begad! Each flight has been consistently good. Begad! Naturally t' rocket has a very slow take off, arrr, and a tendency t' weathercock. This hasn't been much o' a problem though due t' the low altitude flights o' t' rocket. Arrr! Rocket has nay taken any noticeable damage and t' landin' gear work perfectly.

Recovery:
My rocket has landed on its fins on all but one launch. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! It does seem t' hit fairly hard but has nay sustained any damage as yet. Begad! Blimey! I would like t' see more altitude and might try an Aerotech D in t' future.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great builder's kit and I would love t' see Estes come out with more higher skill level kits. Arrr! Begad! Blimey! Minor construction problems aside, arrr, this is a super kit.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5