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

Package: Again, it is hard t' slam t' packaging. Begad! Blimey! Estes has done a fine job o' makin' an appealin' product presentation. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! 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. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' Saucer, and a bag containin' some other things t' make it work

These parts are in t' plastic bag. Blimey! (3) landin' gear wires, shiver me timbers, me hearties, an extra motor retention ring, shiver me timbers, 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. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! T' instructions suggest you place a piece o' tape over t' wire t' keep it from jumpin' out o' t' plastic slots. Yes, they point UP. Ahoy! Ahoy! When you see t' flight profile you will understand. Begad! Aye aye! The motor retention rin' was already in place, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, 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.... One o' t' most important things about a hobby - Gotta make it FUN.

Yes, ya bilge rat, this is UP, and you are nay experiencin' CRT induced vertigo... Reference below..

Flight Profile: It goes up-pedey-up-up then it goes down-de-de-down-down. Gads!!! I think I just had a movie musical flash back .... Avast! 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, arrr, how sweet. Avast! I have seen one o' these made by another company and it is worth watchin' - although the flight is very short. Begad! 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, shiver me timbers, and t' motor retention rin' in place and we are about ready t' go. T' "Snitch" waits on t' gantry for t' countdown t' begin. Avast! FIRE -

Got lucky and actually was able t' get a picture !! Here t' "Snitch" climbs straight and true (although nay very fast). Begad! Blimey! Flight altitude couldn't have been over 60-70 feet, but it was fun t' watch. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! 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. Ya scallywag! T' only way you could tell it had even flown was t' slight discoloration on t' motor retention ring, and t' pungent smell o' a spent black powder motor. Begad! Begad! Very satisfyin' flight, arrr, me bucko, and would work perfectly for school or other small field demo's

Opinion: I liked this flyin' saucer. Begad! Blimey! I know I have stated elsewhere I have a distinct dislike for plastic ARF's, matey, matey, but this one filled a neat gap betwixt fast and high rockets that be fun t' play with. It looks like you could launch it until you ran out o' loot buyin' motors and it would still be in one piece. Arrr! Blimey! It would have value as a demo rocket. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It was a nice change o' pace, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and I believe almost anyone would enjoy it. 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. Arrr! Blimey! BUY IT - If you don't like it, ya bilge rat, I guarantee that maybe, ya bilge rat, possibly, kinda' that perhaps ESTES will give you your money back - sorta' Ah, what's $6.00 t' a bunch o' 'High-Rollers" like ya'll... :)

Rating: 5 out o' 5 , me hearties, For what it is, leave it alone, arrr, it works great.....

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