Brief:
T' Estes CATO is a model rocket designed t' actually break apart in flight. Well, blow me down! Arrr! It is an E2X series kit. Arrr! It is also becomin' quite rare. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! It flies on Estes B and C lower stage booster motors and uses three recovery modes parachute, matey, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, streamer and tumble.

Construction:
I got me kit from an online auction. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey! T' kit arrived in a box rather than a plastic bag. Well, blow me down! All t' components were accounted for and in good shape so I began construction.

T' instructions had lots o' text and illustrations as well as a section on what t' expect when you fly t' model. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey! By readin' this, you'll know how t' break-apart theory works. Begad! Because o' t' simple construction, no templates were needed. This rocket is very simple t' build. I have about 6 hours in mine. Begad! Most o' that time be waitin' for t' plastic cement t' dry. Avast! I never rush any project regardless o' simplicity. Ya scallywag! I started with t' motor mount. I then set it aside t' dry. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Next you glue t' fin halves together then glue them into t' panels. I then attached t' lug t' t' body tube.

PROS: Easy and rapid construction.

CONS: Motor tube a tad too long (Easily fixed).

Next be t' piston assembly. It consists o' two pistons and a wooden dowel slidin' through t' motor mount tube, through an aft retainin' rin' and t' body tube. Aye aye! Begad! It should also be assembled carefully because this be t' system that causes t' model t' fall apart. Avast! I really took me time here. Blimey! I then assembled t' parachute and then attached it t' t' large forward piston. I then attached t' rather large streamer t' t' motor mount by usin' t' sticky tape provided.

Finishing:
There is really no finishin' due t' t' pre-colored orange body tube and dark purple plastic parts. Begad! However, some awesome two color decals are included t' dress up t' model even more. T' finished rocket looks great.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors are t' B6-0 and C6-0 red label booster motors. Begad! Well, matey, blow me down! Estes advises against usin' other manufacturers motors. Aye aye! One thin' I really like about this rocket is that it does nay require recovery wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! You just assemble t' sections, load t' motor and fly. Avast! I've flown this rocket on B6-0's for every flight. Ya scallywag! T' rocket boosted straight up every time then POP, t' rocket disintegrated into exactly seven pieces. Blimey! You then have t' body on t' parachute, me hearties, me bucko, t' motor mount on t' streamer and t' three fin sections and yes t' two nose cone halves rainin' down on you.

PROS: No waddin' needed, Flies great.

CONS: None

Recovery:
Recoverin' seven parts may seem tricky but if you fly t' model off short grass, you won't have a problem. Begad! I found each piece every time. Read me flight logs. Blimey! T' only thin' that annoyed me is that t' streamer gets scorched every time by t' ejection gas. Ahoy! Also, me bucko, it is recommended that you clean t' motor tube after every flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I also recommend that you take a slightly damp piece o' paper towel and wipe t' ejection grime off t' aft piston every couple o' flights.

PROS: Fun t' watch.

CONS: Streamer scorches every time.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really love this rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It is one o' me new favorites. Ya scallywag! Sadly, it is OOP. Ahoy! Aye aye! I really think that Estes SHOULD reissue it PERIOD!!! Also, if you find one, shiver me timbers, it will be a tad pricey. Aye aye! I paid $30.00 for mine. Other than that GRAB IT. As I said it is becomin' rare. Searchin' for one may take awhile. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Main PROS: Very fun rocket. Nuff said. Blimey! Arrr! Main CONS: OOP also rather expensive now.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5