Brief:
A simple t' build rocket that nay only looks cool, but it also supports a TARC team as well.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• 1 3 foot Crayon bank with bulkhead already glue in place
• 1 motor tube
• 1 centerin' ring
• 2 launch lugs
• 1 30" Rockethead Rockets mylar parachute
• 3 clear Lexan fins

T' provided instructions were easy t' follow. You start out by epoxyin' the motor tube into t' fin can. Begad! A hole be already drilled into t' fin can for the motor tube. I used t' provided centerin' rin' t' ensure that t' tube was centered in t' fin can while t' glue be drying. Once dry, ya bilge rat, I poured in more epoxy t' a depth o' about 1/8" in t' bottom o' t' fin can t' provide more strength. I then used epoxy t' mount t' upper centerin' ring.

T' nose cone already had a bulkhead mounted with what appeared t' be Gorilla Glue (polyurethane glue). Ahoy! Aye aye! There was also a large screw eye mounted to the bulkhead and t' shock cord was already attached. Arrr! I mounted t' free end of the shock cord t' t' inner wall o' t' body tube usin' tape and epoxy.

Now for t' fins. Begad! Blimey! T' fin can already had holes drilled in it for mounting the fins. I believe t' idea was t' allow for epoxy rivets t' form in the holes. I sanded t' areas around t' holes and applied epoxy t' t' root edge of t' Lexan fins. Avast, me proud beauty! I used an angle iron t' hold t' fin in place while drying.

Once all t' fins were mounted, I was gettin' ready t' move t' rocket and I accidentally dropped it onto a carpeted floor. Two o' t' fins immediately came off along with t' dried epoxy. Begad! Ahoy! There was no glue residue on t' fin can whatsoever. Ahoy! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! This told me that t' epoxy just be nay stickin' well enough to the plastic fin can. Blimey! I remounted t' fins and then added fillets usin' West systems 405 filletin' blend. Blimey! This detracted from t' appearance somewhat, but the rocket passed t' drop test.

I sent an email t' Underdog Rockets explainin' me experiences and apparently they were also seein' that t' epoxy rivets were just nay holding up. Well, blow me down! On me second Crayon, I opted t' cut fin slots for TTW fin mounting. Underdog is also doin' t' same thin' on subsequent kits. Aye aye! It really is a better method and looks much better too!

I added some Kaplow clips t' t' fin can for positive motor retention. Well, blow me down! I did have t' trim some plastic off t' nose cone shoulder so t' fit was not quite so tight. Last step be t' mount t' 30" parachute and she be ready for flying. Arrr! Ahoy!

Finishing:
No finishin' is required.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
There were no motor recommendations other than t' use a short delay with any F engines. I added a Nomex® chute protector due t' t' size o' t' body tube. My first flight be with an Aerotech F50-4T single use motor. Blimey! T' Crayon took off at a respectable speed and got t' about 600 feet. Begad! T' delay was just about perfect with ejection occurrin' slightly after apogee. Ahoy! T' second flight was on a G104T-S and had a straight, me hearties, fast boost t' about 800 feet. Well, blow me down! Ejection again was a little after apogee. Great flights!

Recovery:
T' 30" parachute be just t' right size t' brin' this rocket back down to earth without damage. Both flights had perfect recoveries and t' fins stayed attached.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Crayon rockets are just fun and t' kids really love them. Blimey! Underdog Rockets went through a lot o' work t' put this kit together. Aye aye! I would recommend that you get one nay only because they are fun t' fly but also because it supports a TARC team.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5