Brief:
T' Alien UFO is a ready t' fly MicroMaxx rocket from Quest. Begad! It is saucer shaped, uses a 6mm motor, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and recovers by aerobraking.

[Editor Note: see also Quest MicroMaxx Series]

Construction:
T' rocket is RTF. Aye aye! It is made o' plastic and stickers are already in place. Well, blow me down! It has a plastic motor retainer rin' that is a bit delicate.

I have been wantin' t' try a MicroMaxx rocket. I have gotten several, me hearties, arrr, some RTFs from Quest and a few kits that needed t' be built but knew almost nothin' about them. Blimey! Blimey! I seem t' have trouble findin' information as well so I ordered an OOP Little Joe II starter set. Avast! As things turn out thought, arrr, t' Alien UFO be t' first one I tried t' fly.

There is nothin' t' assemble. It is already built.

Finishing:
T' rocket is already finished.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' MMX be t' only motor for this bird. It slips in easy enough but t' plastic snap on retainer is a bit delicate and would be easy t' break.

I tried launchin' from t' Quest MicroMaxx pad but could never get t' motor t' ignite. Blimey! Since this was at a club launch and I had some very anxious little boys I did nay want t' disappoint, I tried t' find an Estes igniter skinny enough t' fit in t' orifice. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I never did find one that be perfect but finally found one that "almost" fit. I held it in place with a piece o' maskin' tape and connected t' leads from t' regular ignition system. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I got tine so I decided we were go for launch.

T' rocket rose right up on t' first try. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! It ascended t' maybe 40 feet and then gently coasted down a few feet from t' pad. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It was interestin' but nay spectacular.

We decided t' try again but 6 igniters later, I still had nay gotten a good ignition. Aye aye! Aye aye! I'll try again some other time.

PROs: flies well

CONs: motor difficult t' ignite

Recovery:
T' rocket recovered by aerobraking. Ya scallywag! It be a gentle descent and t' rocket is ready t' go again.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a cute little beast and I guess t' rocket is dependable. Avast, me proud beauty! T' motors are another matter though. I want t' do some more research and see if thar be a better way t' skin this cat.

PROs: launch from tiny areas, no building

CONs: unreliable ignition

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5