Brief:
This is a single stage futuristic classic from Estes that I cloned from plans off Jim Z's web site. Ya scallywag! Is powered by a single 18mm motor and recovers on a single 18" parachute.

Construction:

• 1 Sheet o' 3/32 balsa 6"x8.5" t' cut fins from.
• 1 BT20 Upper Body Tube 6.5"
• 1 BT20 Motor Tube 3.75"
• 1 BT50 Lower Body Tube 7.75"
• 3 PNC5W Upper pod nose cones
• 3 PNC5V Lower pod nose cones
• (Pod Nose cones sold in Estes Parts Kit# 303160)
• 1 PNC20N Nose Cone
• 1 TA2050 Balsa Adapter Estes P/N 8073
• 1 JT50C Tube Coupler
• 2 2050 Centerin' Rings
• 2 2060 Centerin' Rings
• 3 BT5 Pod Tubes 1 9/16"
• 1 EB20 Engine Block
• 1 Standard 18mm engine hook
• 1 LL2C 1/8" Launch Lug 3" Long
• 1 18" Parachute
• 1 small Screw in eye bolt
• 1 3/4" Fender Washer
• Decals Custom Ordered from Tango Papa's
• 1 sheet o' heavy paper stock(at least 24lb)
• 20" o' 1/8" Keelhaul®©™ strin' tied t' 18" o' Nylon/elastic Shock cord
• Modelers clay

Instructions for construction are fairly straight forward. Avast! I did have t' t' Collectors Edition K-20 Mars Snooper in t' box unassembled t' go t' when I questioned t' Instructions. Well, blow me down! All measurements I posted here where taken from that Collectors Edition kit.

When assemblin' t' paper shrouds, test fit everythin' before gluing. Avast, me proud beauty! Since t' paper stock will deform if a heavy wet glue is used, me bucko, arrr, ya bilge rat, I used an Elmers glue stick t' hold them together. Ahoy! Begad! After all paper shrouds are fitted correctly and assembled in place, I coated them several times with a medium CA glue t' stiffen and bond them permanently.

One Gotcha, arrr, be t' Launch Lugs placement in t' tube. Check t' alignment by slidin' t' rocket on a Launch lug before final gluin' in place. Care must also be taken t' prevent paint from adherin' t' t' tapered top o' t' Launch Lug. Avast, me proud beauty! This will cause it t' bind on t' Launch rod.

I also chose t' install a motor hook for motor retention, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, (was nay used in t' original model). Ahoy! Blimey! This be a standard installation, and will flex within t' confinements o' t' bottom shroud.

"Gotcha #2", me hearties, T' top PNC20 Nose cone used was plastic so I was nay able t' add t' eyebolt and weight per t' instructions. Begad! I chose t' nay glue it in place until construction be finished. Aye aye! Then I loaded a new motor, and added Modelers Clay t' t' inside o' t' Cone until I achieved a CG balance point o' 15-7/16" per t' instructions. Begad! I then glued t' cone in place and painted t' rocket.

Finishing:
Finishin' was completed per t' original design usin' white base coat, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and then tapin' for paintin' t' blue nose cone accent, arrr, me bucko, and black tail cone accent. Aye aye! T' CA helps t' paint t' coat t' paper shrouds better.

T' tapin' and paintin' is nay easy, and requires slightly more than beginner modeler skills t' achieve a good paint job.

Decals should be preordered from Tango Papa's. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! They arrive on a 8x11 sheet with plenty o' duplicates t' allow for errors.

All paint be o' a gloss coat. Avast, me proud beauty! A clear coat was applied after t' decals where applied. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Test your clear coat on Papa Tango's decals before applying. Ya scallywag! Some clear coats will cause bad wrinkling.

Flight:
Since most motors recommended are no longer in production, I chose t' make t' first flight on an Estes A8-3 motor. Arrr! Avast! Chute protection be achieved with t' standard Estes wadding.

Boost on t' A8-3 was straight, but t' flight barely achieved 75 feet. Ahoy! Chute deployment be perfect at apogee.

I then chose t' load it up with An Estes B6-4. Ya scallywag! Begad! This was a straight boost t' a perfect flight o' an estimated 300 feet. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Deployment was again achieved at apogee, and recovered unharmed.

To date I have had a total o' four perfect flights, mostly on t' B6-4. Well, blow me down! Some slight damage occured when t' upper body struck t' lower fins durin' chute deployment, arrr, me hearties, but easily repaired.

Recovery:
T' Shock cord was assembled similar t' Quest Models. 20" o' Keelhaul®©™ strin' tied t' 18" o' cotton lined 1/8" elastic cord. Attachment t' t' rocket's body and nose cone were accordin' t' t' instructions. Arrr! Recovery was perfectly gentle with no recovery damage. Ya scallywag! Chute protection was achieved with t' standard Estes waddin' and no chute burnin' occured.

Summary:
This Mars Snooper clone is one o' me all time favorites o' t' Estes heritage. T' slightly challengin' construction and paintin' is well worth t' great reward o' t' finished product. Ya scallywag! Begad! No CONS apply in me opinion.