Brief:
T' Lamprey be one o' t' kits that Custom released around 1992 as part o' their "second wave" o' kits. This a rather sharp lookin' design, even thought it's your basic 3FNC model. Avast! T' Lamprey, named after an eel, last appeared in t' Custom Rockets catalog in 1998. Begad! I purchased and built mine in t' 1993-94 time period.

Construction:
T' Lamprey was supposed t' resemble some sort o' air-to-air missile. Begad! Blimey! It was presented in an industry-standard plastic bag with a cardboard header. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' instructions were lackin' somewhat in detail but covered t' basics.

T' main airframe is an 18" length o' 1.325" OD kraft paper tubing--essentially it's an Estes BT-55. Well, me bucko, blow me down! In fact, me hearties, me bucko, it is quite possible that all o' t' components o' Custom kits at this time were o' Estes origin. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' fins in the kit were (or should I say, arrr, shiver me timbers, are) o' good quality 3/32" balsa, arrr, me bucko, die-stamped onto t' wood. There was no laser cutting yet. Aye aye! T' rest o' t' parts are standard design: 2.75" piece o' 18mm tubin' for t' motor mount, a steel motor retention hook, matey, and two 20/50 paper rings. Arrr! T' rubber shock cord is held in place with t' familiar tri-fold paper mount. Well, blow me down! T' nose cone is o' interest. Ahoy! It's hollow but o' a standard shape. I'd say it compares t' a SEMROC BNC-55X.

I used yellow aliphatic resin glue throughout in construction. Well, me bucko, blow me down! There were no "gotchas" at all in this build. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! T' parachute was somewhat unique t' Custom at t' time. It be an 18" chute o' a silver mylar-type material. However, me bucko, I recall that t' chute had a somewhat slick, non-mylar surface.

Custom listed this as a Skill Level 2 model. Blimey! I'd say it was more like a Skill Level 1.

Finishing:
I finished mine in t' colors shown on t' kit card. Ya scallywag! I used Krylon gray primer followed with a couple o' coats of Krylon white. Avast! Well, blow me down! Usin' me officially calibrated eyeballs, me bucko, I masked off a portion o' t' lower body, and sprayed it with Testor's Competition Orange. T' nose cone was sprayed with Krylon glass black. Begad! T' water transfer decals, ya bilge rat, which were of good quality, were added as per t' kit card. Well, blow me down! After givin' t' model and decals adequate time t' dry, arrr, me bucko, I shot the whole thin' with Testor's clear glass.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors are t' ones one would suspect for a model o' this size: A8-3, B4-2, B4-4, ya bilge rat, me bucko, ya bilge rat, B6-2, B6-4, and C6-5. Blimey! I've flown mine over t' years on B4-4s and B6-4s with good results. Ahoy! I have also flown it on B6-6 and C6-7 motors, ya bilge rat, and they've turned in great flights.

Recovery:
T' only problem I've encountered in flyin' t' Lamprey was t' kit parachute--it didn't last past t' first flight. T' tape tabs provided with t' kit did nay adhere well t' t' rather slick surface o' t' parachute material. Blimey! Blimey! It's now long gone, replaced with a standard plastic chute. Begad! Blimey! If built with care (like makin' sure t' fins are on straight), me hearties, the Lamprey is a high flier even on B4 and B6 motors.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: Ease o' construction, matey, matey, quality o' parts, shiver me timbers, me bucko, and basic design.

CONs: It's out o' production!

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5