Brief:
A miniaturized version o' t' Big Betty, this little guy is a quick, easy build and reliable flyer.

Construction:
T' parts list includes:

• Plastic nose cone
• BT-60 (equiv.) body tube
• 3 Laser-cut balsa fins
• Centerin' rings
• 18mm motor tube
• Metal motor hook
• Thrust ring
• 14" plastic chute
• Keelhaul®©™®/elastic shock cords
• 1/8" launch lug
• Peel n stick decal

This was accurately described as a skill level 1 kit, so t' construction is fairly simple and straightforward. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' instructions are about 3 pages and clearly written and illustrated.

T' motor mount assembly be t' typical 18mm tube, thrust ring, ya bilge rat, arrr, and motor hook. Arrr! It also uses a couple o' centerin' rings t' slip into t' BT-60 body tube. Ahoy! Given t' large body tube, thar are obvious possibilities t' upscale this t' 24mm, and I'm sure a few fliers have already done this.

T' Keelhaul®©™ and elastic shock cord combo is anchored t' t' motor mount. Aye aye! Ahoy! This is a great feature for a mass market kit, me bucko, both rugged and durable.

T' body tube needs t' be marked usin' a wraparound guide for t' standard 3-fin and lug arrangement. Avast! Blimey! It's a good idea t' scuff t' body tube first with 120 grit sandpaper t' provide a better bondin' surface for t' fins. Ahoy! Once t' fins are tacked on, me hearties, t' rather long launch lug is glued on, arrr, essentially completin' t' rocket construction.

Finishing:
T' standard color scheme on this is a simple paint job and is decent looking. Begad! Begad! Blimey! T' fins and body are a gloss red, and t' nose cone is a gloss white. Arrr! Well, blow me down! Blimey! This doesn't even require masking, assumin' you hold off on attachin' t' nose cone until after it's painted.

I started off with a couple coats o' white primer, me hearties, ya bilge rat, then followed up with Krylon red and white. Begad! After allowin' a day t' dry, matey, I then applied t' peel-n-stick "Full Moon" decal, which provides a nice break t' t' monochromatic red.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors for this are t' common mid-delay A through C motors. (Quest motors would be A6-4, me hearties, B6-4, and C6-5. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Blimey! Estes motors would go with A8-3 instead o' A6-4).

For t' maiden flight, I started low since it would be flyin' in 10 mph conditions and loaded an A8-3 in it. Well, blow me down! Begad! It flew perfectly straight without any weathercock, shiver me timbers, but it did drift downwind a bit on t' way up. Apogee was right on top.

Recovery:
T' 14" chute uses shroud lines attached t' holes reinforced with paper rings. Begad! This is a pretty flimsy approach and I broke loose one shroud line as a result. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I would prefer tape disk retention instead, which is less likely t' tear through t' chute.

T' chute did slow it down enough and recovery was fine.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: simple build, versatile motor range, and flies well.

CONs: flimsy shroud line attachment.

This is a nice little kit, worth pickin' up, especially if you can grab one at one o' those half-off sales.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5