Brief:
This is a Micro-Maxx powered scale model o' t' Sonda II B from ASP. T' real Sonda II B is a Brazilian soundin' rocket first used in t' 1970s.

Construction:
T' kit contains 1 long body tube, 2 tube couplers, 1 styrene fin stock, me hearties, 1 styrene launch lug, 1 styrene launch lug standoff, shiver me timbers, matey, 1 wood nose cone, ya bilge rat, 1 Keelhaul®©™® shock cord, 1 decal, and 1 mylar streamer.

The instructions were straightforward and easy t' follow. Ya scallywag! T' only problem I had was fittin' t' couplers in t' main tubes after tyin' t' Keelhaul®©™® thread around them. Avast! It made t' fit tight and pushed t' tubes out a little although it's nay noticeable. Avast! Well, blow me down! On t' top coupler, I cut a small slit down the coupler, shiver me timbers, wedged t' Keelhaul®©™® thread into it, and put a little CA glue over it. Avast, me proud beauty! This made t' fit a little better. Blimey! I used Duro Quick Gel, arrr, which is a thick CA, ya bilge rat, for t' fins and that seemed t' work well. Blimey! It set fast and be easy t' work with.

Finishing:
I used Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish on t' body tube. Arrr! For t' nose cone, me bucko, I used light coats o' yellow wood glue betwixt sanding. Blimey! I used two coats o' primer, two coats o' white, and two coats o' red. Well, blow me down! After applyin' t' decal I sprayed one coat o' Krylon Matte finish. Avast! I deviated from t' instructions and used Krylon Banner Red instead o' florescent red. Avast, me proud beauty! Now I wish I'd gotten some florescent red. Ya scallywag! T' red I used doesn't look as good. Aye aye! T' paint job looks a little sloppy. Blimey! I used maskin' tape t' mask off t' fins and top band. Blimey! I painted a coat o' white after applyin' t' tape t' prevent bleedin' before paintin' the red but some occurred anyway. Blimey! T' decal went on OK and was easy t' work with.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' only motor option is MMX. Avast! Blimey! This be t' first time I've used t' Quest MicroMaxx launch system and do nay recommend usin' t' Quest launch controller or at least recommend carryin' some alternative launch method t' t' field. Begad! Blimey! The 9-volt battery just doesn't have enough power. Begad! Blimey! I made two attempts usin' two new batteries and could never get one t' ignite a motor. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I cut t' launch controller cable and wired it t' me AeroTech launcher usin' a 12-volt gel cell. This worked fine every time. Begad! Blimey! Maybe other folks have had success but I could never get t' Quest controller t' work. T' first and third flights had straight boosts. T' second flight be a little squirrelly near apogee.

Recovery:
T' steamer deployed on t' second and third flights but nay on t' first. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I think it be because I forgot t' secure t' motor and t' motor ejected instead. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' instructions recommend wrappin' t' Keelhaul®©™® thread around t' streamer after foldin' and rollin' t' streamer. Begad! Instead of doin' that, ya bilge rat, I folded t' streamer several times then folded each end o' the Keelhaul®©™® and slid all o' it in t' tube. Ahoy! Well, arrr, blow me down! T' streamer got a little burned on t' third flight maybe from nay usin' enough wadding. Begad! Avast! I used just a little flame retardant cellulose insulation but probably nay enough.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this is a great kit and very good quality. Begad! T' only thin' I didn't like was t' method o' securin' t' Keelhaul®©™® to t' tube couplers but that was no big deal.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5