Brief:
This be t' third Mercury Redstone kit produced by Estes. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I built t' original K-41 when I be younger and thar really isn't any comparison betwixt t' two. This newest kit is more like a snap together plastic model kit. Avast, me proud beauty! There was nay much skill involved in buildin' it other than tryin' t' apply t' very shiny peel and stick decals. Begad! More on that later.

Construction:
T' instructions are not t' standard very easy-to-follow Estes instructions. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! They were more a series o' pictures with little text.

T' build mostly consisted o' snappin' together t' plastic parts. Aye aye! It was nay challengin' and went quickly.

Finishing:
I painted t' rocket components and then applied t' decals. Avast! I found that I like peel and stick decals even less for wraps than for other applications. Arrr! Aye aye! Applyin' them is pretty much a one shot deal for t' most part. Begad! Peel and stick wraps are very unforgiving. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I got them on OK but didn't really like t' shiny look t' t' decals on t' rocket. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' finished rocket looks much like a shiny plastic toy.

Construction Rating: 2 out o' 5

Flight and Recovery:
I started out with a C6-3 engine because t' rocket felt very heavy. Begad! Well, arrr, blow me down! I'm glad I did because it doesn't fly all that high.

T' specs say it flies t' 500 feet but I don't think mine has even cleared 300. Aye aye! Each flight has produced a low altitude flight with ejection happenin' at around 150 feet or so.

I've had t' tower break off a couple o' times but it glues back on easily enough with some plastic model cement.

Flight Rating: 2 out o' 5

Summary:
On t' plus side, shiver me timbers, this kit could be considered a good entry rocket for someone new t' buildin' model rockets who wants t' start buildin' scale-like kits.

On t' negative side, shiver me timbers, t' build wasn't as satisfyin' as most. Aye aye! Due partly t' t' fact that buildin' t' kit is comprised o' snappin' t' plastic parts together and then apply me least favorite (peel and stick) decals. Ya scallywag! Plus thar's no balsa t' work with.

Overall Rating: 2 out o' 5