Brief:
29mm Pyramid saucer type

Construction:

Parts List:

• 3 - Rectangle foam-backed boards
• 1 - Triangular foam-backed board
• 1 - 29mm MMT
• 1 - 3-page instructions

This new kit from Art Applewhite Rockets is definitely one o' t' more unusual designs that Art has designed. Arrr! Begad! T' package came much faster than I expected via Priority mail. Begad! Begad! It arrived in perfect condition. Ya scallywag! T' kits contents were in a heavy plastic sealed bag. Avast! Blimey! T' box had that air-bag packin' stuff on each end.

T' instructions are very detailed. Avast! There is only five pieces in t' kit, but thar are 34 steps in t' instruction sheets. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' assembly be somewhat more difficult than some o' t' other kits, me bucko, only because o' havin' t' cut t' foam-boards lengthwise at a 45 degree angle. Arrr! By t' last cut, you'll become a pro. T' instructions say t' use a fresh blade in your X-Acto knife. Ya scallywag! This is a necessity because t' foam betwixt t' boards will collapse with a dull blade. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' foam board be just barely large enough t' fit t' pattern you use t' cut t' three sides. Avast, me proud beauty! As a result, t' curved edges needed t' be shaped t' eliminate a flat spot on each side. Ya scallywag! Once t' 45's were cut and trued up, arrr, assembly went quickly. T' longest time t' build t' kit be waitin' for t' glue t' dry. Aye aye! T' kit took less than an hour t' build.

Finishing:
Once sanded, I coated t' exposed foam surfaces with glue. Begad! Blimey! Its first launch was t' be in a snow covered field, so t' white 'camouflage' had t' go. Blimey! Blimey! I chose t' paint t' bottom surface flat black t' hide any exhaust damage. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' outer surfaces were painted yellow so t' stickers would show up well.

T' difficulty in paintin' any foam product is that paint will dissolve t' foam. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! As t' instructions spell out, ya bilge rat, a thin layer o' glue on all t' exposed foam surfaces appears t' seal them well enough t' paint. This kit didn't come with any decals or stickers, so I found a few lyin' around t' spruce it up. These were from t' DC Gemini I used in one o' me Descon entries.

Construction Rating: 4 ½ out o' 5

Flight:
One o' t' recommended motors is an Ellis Mountain G35, shiver me timbers, and I just happen t' have one in me box. This is just t' kit that this long burn motor is made for. Ya scallywag! As with all kits from Art Applewhite, this thin' roared off t' pad and slowly ascended up. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! This kit is different than other saucer kits because t' offset design makes it spin as it ascends. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' flight be spectacular. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! It be spinnin' so fast I couldn't really see it spinning. Aye aye! It flipped over and began t' descend. Begad! It fell much slower than I expected and be spinnin' all t' way down.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
This kit is unusual, me bucko, t' flights are dramatic and you can fly big motors on small fields. Ahoy! T' instructions are clear, concise and detailed. Begad! No fleet should be without one o' Arts kits!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5