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

I obtained one o' these kits, a MM. 40 Exocet, ya bilge rat, directly from Blackhawk R&D within three days o' contact via e-mail. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! 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. Blimey! All parts were accounted for and in excellent condition. Ya scallywag! T' components are o' exceptional quality. Avast! T' kit is designed with modelers in mind. Well, blow me down! T' body tube is white Kraft cardboard, me hearties, ya bilge rat, 24mm (BT-50 size) and very robust. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! T' nose cone for this kit is cast from a urethane composite plastic, and is counter-weighted to provide proper flight stability. Arrr! Three sheets o' basswood fin stock are supplied in t' kit, me hearties, with templates included t' trace and cut t' fins from. Ahoy! I used only two sheets, however. Aye aye! Ahoy! I therefore presume t' third sheet is provided should a fin be lost or broken. Ahoy! A computer-generated fin-markin' guide is also provided with t' kit. Aye aye! 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, centerin' rings, screw eye and 2 glassine launch lugs are also included. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! A nice red Mylar streamer rounds out t' list of components. Avast, me proud beauty! There was no motor retention hook included in t' kit. Aye aye! One must either retrofit t' kit with one o' his or her liking, me bucko, me bucko, me bucko, or friction fit the motors with maskin' tape. Ya scallywag! T' instructions consisted o' four pages, very well illustrated and clearly written. Ya scallywag! Arrr! 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. Arrr! T' folks at Blackhawk R&D have really done their homework. Aye aye!

Assembly o' t' Exocet was very straightforward. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Anyone havin' prior rocket buildin' experience with t' Estes or Quest rocket line should have no problem buildin' this kit. Aye aye! 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. Aye aye! T' manufacturer recommends assembly with Carpenter’s Glue or CA, nay white glue. Blimey! 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, sanding between coats. Avast! After masking, t' forward half o' t' rocket was painted with two coats o' gloss orange, matey, ya bilge rat, t' aft half with two coats o' gloss black. Ahoy! The finished rocket measured in at 12.25 inches in length, tippin' t' scales at 4 ounces. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag!

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

I am very impressed with this kit, and its overall performance. T' quality of t' components is superb, arrr, t' instructions were ample, me hearties, and construction was very simple and straightforward. Arrr! 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. Arrr! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' price is right, it’s easy t' build, looks sharp on t' pad and in flight, and is a good, stable performer. Blimey!