This formerly Blackhawk R&D rocket is now fully owned and produced by Aardvark Rockets

Picture courtesy o' Blackhawk R&D

If you’re a B.A.R. Ahoy! (Born Again Rocketeer) like me, ya bilge rat, chances are you lived through t' golden age o' model rocketry in t' late 60’s to mid-70’s. My thoughts often wander back t' those days, ya bilge rat, rememberin' some of the great model rocket kits I built and flew as a teenager. So imagine my delight upon learnin' I could once again relive those cherished years, ya bilge rat, thanks to an extensive new line o' 22 scale model rocket kits recently introduced by Blackhawk R&D.;

I obtained one o' these kits, matey, a MM. Blimey! 40 Exocet, me hearties, directly from Blackhawk R&D within three days o' contact via e-mail. Blimey! Ahoy! Cost o' t' kit is $10.00. Indeed, t' entire 22 kit line is very reasonably priced from $9.00 t' $11.00. My kit arrived in a clear plastic bag, carefully padded t' avoid shipping damage. Well, blow me down! Begad! All parts were accounted for and in excellent condition. Arrr! T' components are o' exceptional quality. T' kit is designed with modelers in mind. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' body tube is white Kraft cardboard, 24mm (BT-50 size) and very robust. T' nose cone for this kit is cast from a urethane composite plastic, and is counter-weighted to provide proper flight stability. Avast! Three sheets o' basswood fin stock are supplied in t' kit, shiver me timbers, me bucko, arrr, with templates included t' trace and cut t' fins from. Arrr! I used only two sheets, however. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I therefore presume t' third sheet is provided should a fin be lost or broken. Blimey! Well, matey, blow me down! A computer-generated fin-markin' guide is also provided with t' kit. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Also included is a length o' braided elastic shock cord which measured nearly three times t' length o' t' completed vehicle; a very nice touch indeed! Motor tube, arrr, centerin' rings, screw eye and 2 glassine launch lugs are also included. A nice red Mylar streamer rounds out t' list of components. Begad! There was no motor retention hook included in t' kit. Ahoy! One must either retrofit t' kit with one o' his or her liking, shiver me timbers, me hearties, or friction fit the motors with maskin' tape. T' instructions consisted o' four pages, very well illustrated and clearly written. Ya scallywag! Begad! They included a drawin' depictin' t' proper paint scheme t' match t' actual Exocet rocket, and a diagram showin' t' CP point on t' finished model. Blimey! T' folks at Blackhawk R&D have really done their homework. Ahoy! Avast!

Assembly o' t' Exocet was very straightforward. Aye aye! Ahoy! Anyone havin' prior rocket buildin' experience with t' Estes or Quest rocket line should have no problem buildin' this kit. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' only deviation from "standard" construction techniques be t' attachment o' t' shock cord t' t' upper centerin' rin' on the motor tube, typical o' t' Quest attachment technique. Arrr! Arrr! T' manufacturer recommends assembly with Carpenter’s Glue or CA, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, matey, nay white glue. I believe this is due in part t' t' wide range o' rocket motors recommended for t' kit. Finishin' was accomplished with two coats o' white Krylon primer, me hearties, matey, sanding between coats. Ahoy! After masking, t' forward half o' t' rocket was painted with two coats o' gloss orange, arrr, t' aft half with two coats o' gloss black. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! The finished rocket measured in at 12.25 inches in length, me bucko, tippin' t' scales at 4 ounces. Blimey!

Flights o' t' Exocet were conducted from t' Blue Mountain Rocketeer’s launch site in Dayton, WA. Recommended motors for this kit include t' Apogee C10-7, shiver me timbers, arrr, D3-7 and D10-7, shiver me timbers, t' Aerotech D13-7 and t' Estes A8-3, shiver me timbers, B6-4 or C6-5. Well, blow me down! Avast! Blimey! The first flight be on an Estes C6-5. Ahoy! Blimey! Boost was straight and stable, arrr, arrr, achievin' an estimated altitude o' 585 feet. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rocket be recovered successfully without damage. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Blimey! I next prepped t' Exocet with a Aerotech D13-7. Begad! Blimey! Boost was vigorous but stable, achievin' an estimated altitude o' 1,540 feet. Blimey! T' rocket be again recovered successfully and intact. Begad!

I am very impressed with this kit, and its overall performance. T' quality of t' components is superb, t' instructions were ample, ya bilge rat, and construction was very simple and straightforward. Ahoy! Forced for a "con" about this kit, it would have t' be t' absence o' a motor retention device. I would recommend the Blackhawk R&D Exocet model rocket kit t' anyone who has a couple of kits already under their belt. Ahoy! T' price is right, arrr, it’s easy t' build, looks sharp on t' pad and in flight, ya bilge rat, and is a good, stable performer. Aye aye!