Zoomie™ is 6" long with a little over an 8" wing span and flies on mini (13mm) motors. Ahoy! It is a boost glider because it ejects a portion o' t' rocket while t' remainin' portion glides t' earth. Arrr! Ahoy! In the Zoomie's™ case, shiver me timbers, it ejects t' motor casing.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' kit includes an 11x17 instruction sheet printed on both sides, me bucko, a laser-cut balsa sheet with t' four win' pieces, ya bilge rat, a 2" long body tube, me bucko, a 2" long launch lug, ya bilge rat, a short, me hearties, balsa nose cone, and a small piece o' clay.

T' instructions were very clear and thoroughly illustrated. Well, blow me down! I really want t' emphasize that. Well, blow me down! In fact, me bucko, Holverson comments, "This instruction sheet is laid out t' allow you t' start a rocket plans reference file. Save your entire set o' instructions for future reference." T' instructions cover building, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, finishing, trimmin' and flyin' o' t' Zoomie™. They also tell a little bit about boost gliders as defined by NAR.

Assemby is very easy but takes a little time t' ensure the wings are built properly. Begad! Durin' assembly o' t' wings a small square is good t' have t' ensure t' win' tip is at a 90° angle. Avast! T' instructions are very good here indicatin' t' need for pins t' hold while drying.

I have read about a glue technique that was used for the build o' t' Zoomie™, however, this was t' first time I used it. Ya scallywag! That is a double-glue technique. Well, blow me down! First t' edges that are goin' t' be glued together get a light coat o' white glue and then are allowed t' dry. Begad! Then they are coated again and assembled. Blimey! Avast! It is t' "increase t' strength o' the joint." accordin' t' t' instructions.

T' only part that I had some difficulty on was the sandin' t' joint o' t' wings. With t' win' tips assembled, shiver me timbers, each win' looks like a "L". With both wings layin' on t' table as they would be assembled, matey, t' joint is t' be sanded t' allow them t' adjoin flushly. This is done by sandin' until it is perpendicular t' t' table. Aye aye! Doesn't sound hard but I had some trouble and had t' take several shots at it. Aye aye! Only advice I have is to go slow.

I didn't really "finish" t' Zoomie™ although t' instructions gave good information for sanding, sealin' and painting. I hit mine with some fluorescent green paint. Begad! It really made it very visible.

Overall, ya bilge rat, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 4 points. Aye aye! It is easy t' build on its own, ya bilge rat, however, with excellent instructions . Ya scallywag! . Blimey! Begad! . Begad! it's a snap.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

I practiced on three separate occasions trimmin' the Zoomie™ in t' back yard and did as t' instructions said. Avast! Then one day I went t' t' field for t' flights. Begad! I tossed it thar and found that I had to trim again . Well, blow me down! Well, arrr, blow me down! . Ahoy! . Ahoy! Ya scallywag! removin' most o' t' clay I added t' t' win' tips. Begad! Ya scallywag! So again, the instructions hinted at this by sayin' "Balsa gliders are tempermental about holdin' their trim over changes in t' climate."

I popped in a 1/2A3-4 and took a picture and let her go. Blimey! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! After a slight spiral in t' climb, ya bilge rat, she arced over and "pop" ejected t' motor. T' motor casin' hit the ground right near me as t' Zoomie™ took a steep dive toward t' earth. Accordin' t' t' instructions, ya bilge rat, this indicated that I needed additional weight in t' rear.

I added t' weight and flew t' Zoomie™ three more times on 1/2A3's. Each time I determined t' add a bit more clay t' t' aft of the wings and each time t' glide got better.

T' 5th flight was on an A10-3. Avast, me proud beauty! T' climb be several large spirals. Begad! It be way up there. Ya scallywag! I heard t' "pop" but never saw a the motor or t' glider again.

Holverson recommends 1/2A3's and A3's

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, me hearties, I would rate this kit 3 points. I have watched other larger gliders at launches and they can really glide. Aye aye! This little bird didn't compare, however, ya bilge rat, it does provide a good way t' get into glidin' and was fun. If I were t' build another, I would never fly in on anythin' bigger than 1/2A's though. Begad! It's just too small and goes out o' sight.

This be me first glider. Begad! Arrr! I had fun with it, me hearties, but I believe that I needed t' flight tests t' trim it. Arrr! It seemed t' act differently in t' air than me toss-testin' it. I highly doubt this could win any duration events, me bucko, me bucko, even after extensive trimming, me bucko, but it be easy t' build and fun t' fly. I give t' kit an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 1/2 points.