Brief:
Very popular early D motor powered rocket that's a simple 3FNC design and packs a huge punch at liftoff.

Construction:
This kit be made with t' currently available CC Express from Estes. T' parts needed from t' CC are:

• 1 BT-55 body tube 18.25"
• 1 NC55 nose cone
• 1 D motor mount
• launch lug
• 12" parachute
• shock cord

You will also need t' buy:

• Decals from Tango Papa or Excelsior Rocketry
• 1/8" balsa wood stock

T' rocket construction is very easy. Aye aye! Arrr! First build your motor mount and slide it in t' butt o' t' body tube without glue t' check t' fit. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Then glue it in when your fit is good enough. Avast! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Next you cut out t' 3 fins and sand t' edges round. Avast! Glue those on. Blimey! (I used CA.) Now take t' launch lug and cut it in half. Well, blow me down! Glue one half t' t' top o' t' body tube and t' other t' t' bottom. Begad! Finally, attach t' shock cord t' t' nose, t' parachute t' t' shock cord, me bucko, me hearties, and glue t' shock cord in. Blimey! Estes says you should use an 18" parachute. Avast! Arrr! IMO, shiver me timbers, if you use t' 18" you'd better kiss t' Cherokee goodbye. Arrr! Use t' 12" that came with t' CC Express.

Finishing:
Spray paint t' body tube and fins gloss white. Ahoy! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Then spray t' nose cone gloss red. Aye aye! Last, me hearties, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, place t' decals on and clear coat them. When finished, me bucko, it looks great!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
My Cherokee has flown twice with impressive performance. Ahoy! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' recommended motors for t' Cherokee D are D12-5 and D12-7. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! But for t' first flight, I recommend a C11-5. This is definitely nay a rocket for small fields! Blimey! I loaded a C11-5 at t' NIRA Event on 4/17/05. Ahoy! Blimey! I had a bunch o' people tellin' me that they had one when they were a kid and I think they really liked this one. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It uses about 5 sheets o' wadding. Begad! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Because t' CC Express does nay come with an engine hook, I used friction fit for motor retention. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It's a tight squeeze anyway.

Flight one screamed off t' pad even on a C11-5! It landed rather far away but I got it back. Blimey! Begad! Good thin' I angled t' pad a little!

On flight two it had t' same performance as t' first. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I love t' way it flies but I'm afraid t' fly it on a D12!

Recovery:
Estes says t' use an 18" chute, but like I said, matey, you'd better kiss it before you launch it with that big chute. T' 12" works perfectly. Ahoy! Avast! It landed in some tall grass and I had a pretty long walk t' get it back.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a very cool rocket. I'd recommend tryin' t' clone it.

PROs: Very impressive flier. Blimey! Looks great.

CONs: Watch your field size!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5