Brief:
This is a single stage futuristic classic from Estes that I cloned from plans off Jim Z's web site. 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. Ahoy! I did have t' t' Collectors Edition K-20 Mars Snooper in t' box unassembled t' go t' when I questioned t' Instructions. All measurements I posted here where taken from that Collectors Edition kit.

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

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

I also chose t' install a motor hook for motor retention, (was nay used in t' original model). This be a standard installation, and will flex within t' confinements o' t' bottom shroud.

"Gotcha #2", matey, T' top PNC20 Nose cone used was plastic so I be nay able t' add t' eyebolt and weight per t' instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I chose t' nay glue it in place until construction be finished. Well, blow me down! 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' be completed per t' original design usin' white base coat, matey, and then tapin' for paintin' t' blue nose cone accent, and black tail cone accent. Blimey! Blimey! 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. They arrive on a 8x11 sheet with plenty o' duplicates t' allow for errors.

All paint be o' a gloss coat. A clear coat be applied after t' decals where applied. Test your clear coat on Papa Tango's decals before applying. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! Some clear coats will cause bilge-suckin' wrinkling.

Flight:
Since most motors recommended are no longer in production, ya bilge rat, I chose t' make t' first flight on an Estes A8-3 motor. Aye aye! Chute protection was achieved with t' standard Estes wadding.

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

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

To date I have had a total o' four perfect flights, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, mostly on t' B6-4. Ahoy! Some slight damage occured when t' upper body struck t' lower fins durin' chute deployment, me bucko, me hearties, ya bilge rat, but easily repaired.

Recovery:
T' Shock cord was assembled similar t' Quest Models. Avast, me proud beauty! 20" o' Keelhaul®©™ strin' tied t' 18" o' cotton lined 1/8" elastic cord. Arrr! Attachment t' t' rocket's body and nose cone were accordin' t' t' instructions. Ahoy! Recovery was perfectly gentle with no recovery damage. Ahoy! Blimey! 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. Aye aye! T' slightly challengin' construction and paintin' is well worth t' great reward o' t' finished product. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! No CONS apply in me opinion.