Brief:
A Estes E2X single stage 18mm rocket with a 12'' parachute, pre-colored parts, decals, short shock cord, and external shock cord mount. Begad! Ya scallywag! Durin' a half-off sale, me bucko, I got this kit for $2.50. Begad!

Construction:
This kit was packaged in a box, a rare thin' for Estes. Begad! Aye aye! Includes a black, pre-slotted body tube, me hearties, matey, a black nosecone, me hearties, ya bilge rat, three black fins, and black motor mount parts, arrr, a blue motor tube, decals, shock cord, and other parts. Aye aye! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' body tube be thicker than you would expect from estes, but t' shock cord was too short.

This rocket be very easy t' build, me bucko, even for a twelve year old. Well, blow me down! Instructions were excellent, well illustrated and written. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' three black motor mount parts act as centerin' rings and t' motor block. Ya scallywag! Blimey! One cements t' motor mount in, makin' sure t' launch lug holes are aligned. Aye aye! Blimey! Then you cement t' fins and launch lugs in. Ahoy! Blimey! T' shock cord and its mount are attached t' t' rocket, followed by t' nose cone and parachute. Everythin' fits very well and sturdy for an Estes rocket. Blimey! T' shock cord be too short though, although I didn't think so that time. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I added a two foot length o' nylon cord.

Finishing:
One just has t' remove t' flash from t' nose cone and apply t' orange decals. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' fin decals were very large and covered almost t' whole fin. Well, arrr, blow me down! I wondered why Estes didn't just use orange fins and t' name decal.(the fin decals are orange and include t' rocket's name).

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:

Installin' t' motor was somewhat difficult. Avast! T' motor was a tight fit and difficult t' remove before t' rocket was launched. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! There was motor retention, but it wasn't needed. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! This rocket requires three sheets o' wadding. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I used an aluminum foil ball and two sheets o' wadding.

This rocket has gone through two flights. T' first flight was on a B6-4, my first B motor flight. Ya scallywag! T' motor boosted t' rocket straight, t' a moderate altitude. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' second flight was on a C6-5. Arrr! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Because t' Banshee was launched at an angle, matey, t' rocket didn't go as high as I expected, shiver me timbers, but still very high. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! I replaced t' parachute with a long streamer on this flight.

Recovery:
T' shock cord was too short, arrr, me bucko, so I added some nylon cord. Blimey! T' external plastic shock cord mount was much better than t' tri-fold. It doesn't look that bad because it is streamlined.

On t' first flight on a B6-4, I used t' parachute, arrr, arrr, with no spill hole. Aye aye! Blimey! It drifted for about 200 feet and came down very slowly. Ya scallywag! Blimey! On t' second flight, matey, the rocket used a streamer, and landed in a puddle. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I went t' t' rocket very quickly, fearin' that t' motor might get stuck, but it didn't.

This rocket flies straight and true and can withstand many flights. Try a D21-7. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! This rocket probably won't shred, but it will burn due t' t' ejection charge against a plastic motor block. Aye aye! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! He he he... Aye aye! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great 18 mm rocket. Arrr! Begad! It is easy t' build and flies well. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Just use a longer shock cord and replace t' parachute with a streamer when usin' C6-5 and D21-7 engines. Blimey! Also, matey, don't insert t' motor until you are at t' launch pad so you won't change your mind. Arrr! T' motor is a pain t' remove.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5