(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. Ahoy! This is a little intro t' a Flyin' Saucer ARF.....

Package: Again, arrr, it is hard t' slam t' packaging. Arrr! Blimey! 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. T' Saucer, me bucko, me bucko, and a bag containin' some other things t' make it work

These parts are in t' plastic bag. Avast, me proud beauty! (3) landin' gear wires, 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. Avast! T' instructions suggest you place a piece o' tape over t' wire t' keep it from jumpin' out o' t' plastic slots. Yes, matey, they point UP. Arrr! When you see t' flight profile you will understand. Arrr! The motor retention rin' be already in place, me hearties, 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.... Blimey! One o' t' most important things about a hobby - Gotta make it FUN.

Yes, this is UP, arrr, me hearties, and you are nay experiencin' CRT induced vertigo... Arrr! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! 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 .... Begad! As you can see, after boost and burnout o' t' motor, me hearties, it looses it aerodynamic stability and flips over and lands on t' cute little wire legs - ah, how sweet. Ahoy! I have seen one o' these made by another company and it is worth watchin' - although the flight is very short. Avast! Ahoy! 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, ya bilge rat, t' igniter installed, 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. FIRE -

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

It landed on t' wire legs, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me hearties, but flipped over on it's side without injury. Aye aye! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Very satisfyin' flight, and would work perfectly for school or other small field demo's

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

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

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