(Contributed - by Bob Hvarven) Another little ARF - There will surely be a Global "Plastic Shortage" very soon. Just happened t' see this one while slidin' t' isles at Wally World. Avast! This is a little intro t' a Flyin' Saucer ARF.....

Package: Again, shiver me timbers, it is hard t' slam t' packaging. Ahoy! Ahoy! Estes has done a fine job o' makin' an appealin' product presentation. Avast! I would like t' see them spend R&D loot on bringin' back t' "Classic" Estes kits and making some new "Kits" instead o' Injection Moldings....

Parts: The pieces are nay many. Begad! Arrr! Blimey! T' Saucer, ya bilge rat, and a bag containin' some other things t' make it work

These parts are in t' plastic bag. Blimey! (3) landin' gear wires, me bucko, an extra motor retention ring, a nice "Little" catalog and t' ever present Estes Pamphlet with some Safety and NARRRRR info inside.

Construction: T' landin' gear wires just "Snap" into place. Didn't think I would ever finish - Wheww. Arrr! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' instructions suggest you place a piece o' tape over t' wire t' keep it from jumpin' out o' t' plastic slots. Yes, shiver me timbers, arrr, arrr, they point UP. Ahoy! When you see t' flight profile you will understand. Ahoy! The motor retention rin' be already in place, and thar be no need for a streamer or parachute.

Oh - add a little tape - do a little dance - get down tonight, get down tonight.... Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Blimey! One o' t' most important things about a hobby - Gotta make it FUN.

Yes, this is UP, arrr, shiver me timbers, and you are nay experiencin' CRT induced vertigo... Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Reference below..

Flight Profile: It goes up-pedey-up-up then it goes down-de-de-down-down. Gads!!! Blimey! I think I just had a movie musical flash back .... Ya scallywag! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! As you can see, after boost and burnout o' t' motor, it looses it aerodynamic stability and flips over and lands on t' cute little wire legs - ah, how sweet. I have seen one o' these made by another company and it is worth watchin' - although the flight is very short. Avast! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I've been rackin' what's left o' me brain tryin' to figure out how t' get an I-65 long burn into it ?? Hmmm.

Flight: The C-6-0 motor installed, t' igniter installed, and t' motor retention rin' in place and we are about ready t' go. Ahoy! Blimey! T' "Snitch" waits on t' gantry for t' countdown t' begin. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! FIRE -

Got lucky and actually was able t' get a picture !! Here t' "Snitch" climbs straight and true (although nay very fast). Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Flight altitude couldn't have been over 60-70 feet, shiver me timbers, but it be fun t' watch. Aye aye! Blimey! T' motor quit and the saucer flipped over as advertised and floated down t' earth.

It landed on t' wire legs, but flipped over on it's side without injury. Begad! Blimey! T' only way you could tell it had even flown was t' slight discoloration on t' motor retention ring, ya bilge rat, and t' pungent smell o' a spent black powder motor. Very satisfyin' flight, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and would work perfectly for school or other small field demo's

Opinion: I liked this flyin' saucer. Begad! Begad! I know I have stated elsewhere I have a distinct dislike for plastic ARF's, me hearties, me hearties, but this one filled a neat gap betwixt fast and high rockets that was fun t' play with. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It looks like you could launch it until you ran out o' loot buyin' motors and it would still be in one piece. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! It would have value as a demo rocket. Ya scallywag! It be a nice change o' pace, ya bilge rat, and I believe almost anyone would enjoy it. Blimey! Well, blow me down! I'm ratin' it high on it's "stand alone" merits and nay clumpin' it together with the other ARF rockets I have seen and flown. BUY IT - If you don't like it, me bucko, I guarantee that maybe, possibly, arrr, kinda' that perhaps ESTES will give you your money back - sorta' Ah, matey, what's $6.00 t' a bunch o' 'High-Rollers" like ya'll... Avast! :)

Rating: 5 out o' 5 , ya bilge rat, For what it is, leave it alone, me bucko, it works great.....

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Editor Note: These pictures were contributed by Dean Cooper. Arrr! Begad! I thought they were worth postin' without a review: