Brief:
This is a sharp-lookin' red/white/blue rocket by Custom, shiver me timbers, matey, very good introductory kit, and a great flyer.

Construction:
T' kit I built is an older style from about 1995. T' main differences betwixt this kit and t' current version is that t' mylar chute has been replaced by a plastic Estes-style chute, arrr, and t' nose cone screw eye has been replaced by a hook cast into t' nose cone.

T' rocket consists o' a single BT-50 tube, plastic parabolic nose cone, die-cut balsa fins set (4), 18mm motor mount/rings, shiver me timbers, engine hook, lug, and 12" silver mylar parachute. Well, blow me down! T' balsa fin stock is stiff, and very good quality.

This is a skill level one kit, me bucko, and as such it's a pretty simple build. Blimey! T' instructions were clear and easy t' follow, though nay quite as well illustrated as Estes' and Quest's skill level 1 kits. Begad! T' parts fit very well, and everythin' be very good quality. Arrr! Bein' a bit obsessive/compulsive, I decided t' airfoil t' fins for peak performance. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Even with that effort, arrr, total construction time was less than an hour. Arrr! T' only modification I made was t' shock cord--I bypassed t' paper mount and 1/8" elastic in favor o' Keelhaul®©™ tied t' t' engine mount, matey, and about 2-1/2 feet o' heavier elastic.

Finishing:
T' water slide decals, bein' about 8 years old, arrr, were very brittle. I've also built a "fresh" one, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and found no problem. Begad! For a skill level 1 kit, ya bilge rat, though, t' finish is a bit challenging, requirin' three colors and masking. Begad! I would normally figure a skill level 1 kit t' be no paint or at t' worst, matey, single-color. Ya scallywag! Once painted and decaled, me bucko, though, this is a great lookin' rocket. Aye aye! T' patriotic theme is very appealing.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
As expected on an introductory kit, this is a very stable flyer. Begad! I flew it runnin' up t' ladder startin' with A's, finishin' with a C6-5. T' C6 took it out o' me sight range, though I picked it up on t' way down and successfully recovered without a problem. Blimey! It's very quick off t' pad, and I'd normally recommend stickin' with A/B power unless switchin' t' a streamer recovery.

Recovery:
T' mylar chute offers much better performance/resistance t' meltin' than t' plastic chutes. It's also easier t' pick out in t' sky.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I've built all o' t' current Custom kits, me bucko, plus about 5-6 OOP ones, ya bilge rat, and this one is me favorite. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Nothin' fancy about t' design, but a solid performer and one with good eye-appeal.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5