T' Interceptor Gis futuristic manned space vehicle that looks very impressive in t' catalog, shiver me timbers, on t' box, matey, and built. Arrr! I found out recently that Jim Stuckman be goin' t' fly his one weekend after me, so we decided t' do this joint review. 

T' kit is deemed by Estes in t' instructions as a "carefully designed and tested" kit t' be "realistic, challenging, me bucko, me bucko, and extremely high flying". Begad! Begad! They also indicate that they hope that we "spend many enjoyable hours constructin' and flying" t' kit.

T' kit is made up o' a variety o' materials includin' plastic nose cones and accessories, shiver me timbers, 1/8" plywood centerin' rings and small wings and rudders, 1/8" basswood large wings and rudders and a vacu-formed tail cone. Ya scallywag! T' 2.5" main body tube is kraft paper measurin' 34" long and is 1/16" thick. Begad! T' two booster tubes are BT-60A. Blimey! T' kit uses 1/4" launch lugs. T' kit uses 1/4" launch lugs. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! It comes with t' GOR-1 Gorilla Shock Cord Mount Kit which includes a 1/16" cable and a 1/2" wide, 72" long elastic shock cord and mountin' hardware. Also for recovery, thar be a red 36" rip-stop parachute. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Lastly thar are two sheets o' decals which really give t' kit its looks.

When finished t' Interceptor G™ should stand 43.8" and weigh approximately 16 ounces without a motor.
 
 

Essence:
T' Interceptor Gwas a rocket that I just had t' have and I purchased it 10 months ago. Ahoy! Begad! Over t' past 10 months me thoughts and feelings about this kit have been like a roller coaster as you will see throughout t' review. Ya scallywag! It definitely offered me a "challenging" kit and it definitely took "hours" t' build. Ahoy! Just t' decals took over a hour!

My initial disappointment was that this kit didn't seem t' have t' North Coast's Gorilla-Lok motor mount. Well, blow me down! Estes confirmed that this be t' only North Coast kit that doesn't!

Stuckman:
I've had this kit for 3 months and decided it was time t' try somethin' a little different from t' typical 3FNC kits that are t' norm for 29mm kits. Ahoy! This kit is definitely an attention getter at t' field both on t' ground and especially in t' air!

My first impression was: nice wood & cool decals! T' laser cuttin' be first quality. Upon readin' through t' instructions, I saw that they mentioned usin' t' NCR plastic motor retainer t' secure t' motor in t' flight prep. Blimey! A quick call t' Estes confirmed that this kit does nay have one and that later versions o' t' instructions have already been updated.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' kit comes with a twelve page instruction set, matey, with t' first seven pages havin' somethin' t' do with construction. Aye aye! There are relatively few illustrations if comparin' t' an Estes kit. Begad! Arrr! T' instructions were in a logical order and if read carefully, shiver me timbers, and without skippin' steps, one can successfully build t' Interceptor G™. Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions do, matey, however, largely contribute t' this kit bein' challengin' and may nay support t' statement in t' NCR catalog about this kit bein' "perfect for all modelers t' build".It is obvious that this is nay an Estes kit and requires an experienced, patient rocketeer t' build successfully and nay get frustrated durin' t' process.

T' wings and rudders on this kit come in two pieces that are glued together before attachin' t' t' body tube. Begad! They are fairly easy t' work with and t' instructions make a good point t' sand, fill and round them before gluin' t' t' body tube.

T' Gorilla™™ Shock Cord Mount requires a pair o' crimpers (or needle nose). This consists o' a cable that is looped-through t' upper centerin' rin' and t' held together with a sleeve connector. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' opposite end also has a loop that is held in place with another connector. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' picture in t' instructions did nay represent t' actual assembly, however, t' textual instructions did.

T' tail cone is made o' vacu-formed plastic and requires cuttin' it out o' t' form. Take your time on this.

T' fins (wings and rudders) are nay through-the-wall mounting. Begad! T' instructions indicate usin' a T-Pin t' make holes on t' fin line marks. These would then act like rivets t' help secure t' fins t' t' body tube.

For finishin' detail, arrr, t' Interceptor G™ comes with many, me bucko, many colorful, self-adhesive decals and some plastic parts. Arrr! T' plastic parts are glued on in various places o' t' rocket t' represent components like t' turbine exhaust ducts, matey, rate gyro fairings, ya bilge rat, me hearties, stabilizer thrust motors, APU pressure elbows and antenna connectors.

Essence:
We have all heard and read information regardin' NCR's use o' a slightly smaller mount tube, however, I try very hard t' build kits stock when reviewin' them and therefore, arrr, I built this one stock. Ahoy! Blimey! It's funny though, because I think t' centerin' rings were cut for a standard 29mm tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! When installin' them they were too loose on t' motor mount tube. Arrr! Aye aye! Blimey! This actually got me very frustrated for two reasons. First, me bucko, I didn't get them t' be perfectly parallel so it was a tight fit into t' main body tube, arrr, and secondly, this was t' most expensive kit I had purchased (lists at $79.99), ya bilge rat, t' date, and I expected them t' fit.

Stuckman:
Here's where Nick & I differ a little. I'm a firm believer in buildin' t' kit t' me satisfaction - especially when we are nay talkin' about an entry level model. Ahoy! I made t' followin' modifications/deviations from t' plans:

1. Motor Mount Tube - replaced with PML 29mm. Ya scallywag! Avast! This was an easy modification that required a little time with some 120 grit sandpaper t' open up t' inner hole on t' centerin' rings.

2. Begad! Blimey! Added plywood rin' t' aft o' MMT for 4-40 blind nuts. This allows t' use o' positive motor retention. I'm nay a big fan o' friction fittin' RMS cases! I sized t' rearward rin' t' mount inside t' tail cone approx. Begad! 1/4" from t' aft edge o' t' motor mount tube.

Essence:
I be somewhat disappointed, arrr, again, matey, with t' Gorilla Shock Cord Mount. Begad! T' cable is designed t' go through two holes in t' upper centerin' ring. Well, blow me down! These holes were aligned in such a way that t' loop would have run parallel with t' grain o' t' centerin' ring. Well, blow me down! I saw this as a potential problem o' puttin' undue stress on this centerin' ring. Blimey! I took some o' t' excess wood and glued it t' t' bottom o' t' centerin' ring, in-between t' two holes and so that t' grain be perpendicular t' t' centerin' rin' grain. Avast! Begad! This may nay have been necessary, me hearties, but I'd hate t' have t' cable break through t' centerin' rin' and then have t' try t' repair that.

Stuckman:
I built me kit's shock cord mount per t' instructions. Blimey! T' Gorilla Mount is bullet proof! Blimey! If built properly, I can see no way t' have a zipper as some people have reported with other NCR kits. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I use this basic setup on most o' me larger rockets. Be sure t' wire loop DOES NOT protrude past t' end o' t' body tube!

Essence:
Another challenge with assembly was t' vacu-formed tail cone. Begad! It comes with two pieces, shiver me timbers, t' coupler and tail cone. After t' motor mount is installed in t' kit, t' coupler is t' be glued into place and then t' tail cone. T' fit was nay great and when t' instructions say t' "fill t' joint and sand flush", they mean this as a requirement.

Stuckman:
Fittin' t' tail cone is an exercise in precision. Take you time and test fit t' parts often. Begad! Ya scallywag! It's nay hard t' do but needs t' be done slowly t' get a proper fit. Ahoy! I still needed t' fill t' tail cone/body tube joint but t' result was fine.

Essence:
With respect t' usin' t' T-Pin t' make holes for rivets, me bucko, I deviated from this. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! I actually make slits usin' a hobby knife. Begad! Well, blow me down! I make t' slits perpendicular t' t' fin line and about 1/4" long. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I then wiggle me hobby knife back-and-forth t' open t' slit up slightly. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! When I glue t' fins onto t' body tube, matey, me bucko, matey, I use plenty o' glue t' allow it t' go into t' slits. Aye aye! T' fillets will fill t' slits that are outside o' t' fin coverage. Ya scallywag! This has been a successful technique on 3 other kits that don't have through-the-wall fin attachment.

Stuckman:
I would have preferred TTW fins. Ahoy! Arrr! Blimey! I followed t' instructions and used a T pin t' poke holes in t' BT all along t' area where t' fin mounts. Begad! Blimey! I glued all t' fins t' t' BT with 12 minute epoxy and then used 30 minute epoxy t' form fillets. This method be put t' t' test - t' chute fouled on t' 1st flight and t' Interceptor came in VERY fast! Blimey! One rudder be cracked just above t' fillet but stayed attached t' t' rocket.

Essence:
Finishin' t' kit be challengin' due t' all o' t' component. Well, blow me down! I filled t' spirals on t' main body tube with light spackle. Also used this for areas around t' tail cone. T' remainin' imperfections were filled with multiple coats o' Plasti-Kote primer. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Once I finished smoothin' and priming, I painted t' entire rocket with $0.98 Walmart White enamel. (additional comments about Walmart paint) T' rocket then set for another two weeks before I did t' decals. Ahoy! As stated earlier, shiver me timbers, I spent an hour on t' decals. Avast! Finally, me bucko, after paintin' t' extra plastic parts silver, me hearties, I glued them into place.

T' instructions give clear direction as t' t' paint scheme for t' Interceptor G™, me bucko, however, shiver me timbers, I did nay follow it. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! I think usin' just t' gloss white and silver components with t' colorful decals still produced a very attractive kit.

Stuckman:
I used spackle t' fill around t' tail cone. Well, matey, blow me down! I then gave t' rocket 2 coats o' Pactra Prep surfacer/primer, sandin' betwixt coats. Well, blow me down! I then sprayed 2 coats o' Krylon white. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! I also added an 8" plastic RC airplane canopy from Sig. Avast, me proud beauty! I cut it down until I felt it looked "right" and then sprayed t' inside with Patra Outlaw Black RC car paint. Begad! I'm very pleased with t' effect!

Essence:
Overall, me bucko, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 3 points. It is challengin' as stated, but that is nay t' issue. Begad! With t' fit o' t' centerin' rings and t' tail cone, arrr, it would be hard for me t' rate t' kit greater than average. Ahoy! Also addin' t' this ratin' be me unproved concern over t' centerin' rin' grain and t' shock cord cable.

Stuckman:
I would rate this kit 3 1/2 points for overall construction. I would like t' see North Coast show a means o' positive motor retention. Avast, me proud beauty! I think t' tail cone construction could also be improved. Aye aye! Begad! It works but takes a fair amount o' effort.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

T' Interceptor G sits majestically on t' launch pad. Its recommended motors are t' Darkstar™ F62-4 and t' G70-5 (currently nay available). Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! It uses two 1/4" launch lugs.

Flight preparation includes, accordin' t' t' instructions, "placin' . Begad! . Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! . Avast! recovery waddin' into t' top o' t' main body tube. Fill t' tube loosely with wadin' t' a distance about 1.5 times t' diameter o' t' tube. Gently press t' waddin' down until thar be adequate room for t' parachute. Blimey! Arrr! DO NOT JAM!" T' instructions are also clear in parachute preparation and then mention checkin' t' nose cone for a snug fit.

Recovery is via a 38" rip-stop nylon parachute.

If built stock, arrr, t' Interceptor G requires that t' motor be friction fit, ya bilge rat, even though t' instructions mention puttin' a motor retainer in place . Blimey! Ahoy! . . Blimey! no doubt t' Gorilla-Lok motor mount which is nay on this kit!

Essence:
My Interceptor G flew three times in t' same day all on F62-4's. Aye aye! T' first flight was off t' pad at a slight angle. Avast! It was parallel t' t' ground and arcin' back before ejection. Arrr! It then had a very nice, slow descent on its red 38" 'chute. Ahoy! By comparison, me hearties, t' Interceptor G weighs about t' same as me PML Callisto which uses a 24" parachute with a spill hole, so it came down much slower. It is a good thin' since thar are many more fins, arrr, rudders and plastic parts t' protect from a speedy landing. Aye aye! Blimey! First recovery showed no damage.

Second flight was straight up off t' pad and another successful recovery, except, shiver me timbers, a dent in t' nose cone openin' where t' cone obviously kicked back and hit it. Well, blow me down! Longer shock cord?

Last flight was again, matey, picture perfect (see picture).

Stuckman:
T' first flight be on a cool and windy (10 mph+) day. Avast! Blimey! I used an Aerotech F20-4 Econojet. Arrr! T' rocket flew great! Blimey! Lift-off be smooth and t' rocket flew much more stable than I would have thought in t' wind. T' silhouette is very distinctive in flight. Ya scallywag! T' 4 second delay was right on but t' chute did nay fully deploy and resulted in a very fast landing. Avast, me proud beauty! T' right rudder took t' shock and cracked but has already been repaired and is awaitin' paint.

Essence:
For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this kit 3 1/2 points.It looks great and will draw attention, arrr, but without a positive motor retention, me hearties, only 1 motor (to date) t' fly t' stock kit on, ya bilge rat, and t' requirement for waddin' keeps t' kit in t' average level.

Stuckman:
I would rate this kit 4 points for flight (I reserve recovery ratin' for later!). Arrr! It's a fantastic flyer. Blimey! Aye aye! I do nay attribute t' chute foulin' t' t' kit's design - it deployed from t' BT fine but tangled with t' shock cord.

Essence:
Overall, arrr, me hearties, this kit is very challenging, arrr, arrr, however, it looks great! It is a good flyer but needs some changes t' make it versatile for other motors. Begad! I give t' kit an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 1/2 points.

Stuckman:
Overall, me hearties, arrr, matey, I would rate this kit a solid 4 points. If you are lookin' for a change o' pace give t' NCR Interceptor G a look!