Aerotech has long been known t' high power rocketeers for their fine motors and sturdy kits, but nay too many model rocketeers have used their products. They're a lot more expensive than t' average entry level stuff; t' Initiator start set isn't cheap (Discount Rocketry has it for a reasonable $115.95), me hearties, nor is their Interlock Launch Controller if purchased separately (I paid $39.95 for mine, me bucko, just a tad below DR's askin' price o' $45). Aye aye! One o' me favorite local hobby shops had both t' Cheetah and t' Mustang for sale for $34.95, me hearties, matey, and after weeks o' deliberation, matey, I finally broke down and got t' 'stang. I liked this rocket so well, I went back for t' Cheetah, me hearties, but it was gone. Ya scallywag! Nay t' worry, as I write, me bucko, arrr, DR has t' Cheetah in stock for just a dollar more. 

Picture is courtesy o' Chip Jenkins

T' Good Points

I liked just about everythin' this kit showed me, me bucko, arrr, but most impressive were t' plastic fins and patented Fin-Lok system. Avast, me proud beauty! T' fins are pre-beveled and require absolutely no work, as did t' hefty nose cone. Arrr! Aye aye! T' body tube, matey, while nay perfect, shiver me timbers, was much, much better than I'd ever seen in any Estes or Quest kit. T' baffle ejection system be t' only one I've ever seen that did a good job o' protectin' t' recovery system without wadding, and t' shock cord is monstrously long. Blimey! Aye aye! T' mount t' t' body is via a large screw eye, arrr, nay me favorite thing, shiver me timbers, me hearties, but a crimpin' lug (not supplied) prevents t' cord from untying. 

This design is flexible, me hearties, too, me hearties, capable o' flyin' just about every size single use and RMS 24 and 29 mm motor t' Aerotech makes, includin' their non-standard 124 mm long singles. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' motor clip is large and stiff, so careful loadin' is required t' avoid creasin' t' motor mount tube or, arrr, if used, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, t' included adapters, but that's a small price t' pay for such a wide range o' choices. Ingenious be t' best way t' describe it. 

T' little points impressed me, too. Aye aye! T' box can be made into a display stand, matey, t' plastic parts don't require any trimmin' t' get rid o' flash, and t' 'chute is well sewn and rugged. 

T' Bad Points

T' only thin' I can really complain about be t' decals. Begad! Ya scallywag! They're nay pre-cut and require careful work t' get right. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I also thought t' 14" 'chute was a bit small for an 11 oz. Ya scallywag! rocket, ya bilge rat, and me first flight seemed t' bear this out. 

Assembly

Construction is straight-forward, requirin' no specific adhesives or jury-rigged tools, and with concentration, ya bilge rat, you can put t' Mustang together in about an hour. T' instruction manual is very good; clear, easy t' follow, well illustrated and accurate. Ya scallywag! I didn't encounter a single problem buildin' me Mustang, and other than crimpin' t' shock cord for t' body attachment, matey, I didn't change a thing. 

Paintin' requires some attention, shiver me timbers, arrr, especially if you want it colored like t' box art. Ahoy! In general, me bucko, t' rocket didn't seem t' want t' hold paint, me bucko, arrr, though t' white on white doesn't look too bad when it chips. Arrr! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' nose cone is especially slippery, ya bilge rat, and you should sand it and/or wash it before painting; I did neither, me hearties, arrr, and it shows. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Maskin' t' tube and nose cone for t' color breaks be nerve-racking, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, me bucko, t' paint underneath was always threatenin' t' come off. 

For construction, me bucko, I'd rate t' Mustang a 4 ½ points on t' Essence scale, darn near perfect, ya bilge rat, t' only points off bein' for difficulty in finishing. 

Flight

First flight be on a single use E30-4, and was impressive. Very little weathercockin' and very stable, she went about 900' feet up, ya bilge rat, and was quick in gettin' there. Begad! Well, matey, blow me down! Ejection was early (the e30- is nay recommended) and recovery was very fast, with t' light winds that day, me bucko, we had no chance o' gettin' under her before she touched (well, me bucko, more like 'banged') down. She landed on pavement, shiver me timbers, and jarred one o' t' fins loose, but it snapped right back into place. Avast, me proud beauty! I can see why Aerotech has that Fin-Lok system patented, it's sweet! Other than that, she suffered no damage, matey, arrr, t' 'chute and shock cord were spotless. 

Second flight be supposed t' be on a single use F25-9, arrr, and while she did get into t' air, me hearties, me hearties, matey, it was only about 10 feet. Begad! Avast! A dual-endo CATO (the retainin' plug and nozzle blew out) was very scary, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but caused absolutely no damage t' t' Mustang. Begad! This is one tough little bird. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I've bought another F25 and will be tryin' again. 

Even though I've only really seen her fly once, me bucko, her endurance o' t' CATO makes me rate this bird a 4 points on t' Essence scale, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, Above Average. 

Summary

While I'm goin' t' have t' repaint this rocket at some point, shiver me timbers, I plan on flyin' her for many years t' come, and with great success. Begad! Aerotech has impressed me; they may be expensive, matey, but you get what you pay for with t' Mustang. Begad! Overall, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, I'd rate it a 4 ½ points on t' Essence scale, arrr, darn near perfect.