Brief:
This is a seasonal oddroc based on a Styrofoam ear o' corn. Arrr! Blimey! It is a cool-looking, shiver me timbers, sturdy rocket and looks better in person than in photos. Ahoy! My beta test version flies on 18mm motors but 13mm and 24mm versions were also offered. Unfortunately, matey, ya bilge rat, all had limited runs and more will nay be available until next year. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey! I normally don't submit reviews until I've flown a rocket but, since people are gettin' t' kits now, I thought I'd provide me experience buildin' it sooner rather than later.

Construction:
T' parts list:

• Styrofoam ear o' corn, pre-drilled with t' tip removed
• 4 fins cut from 2 pieces o' 1/8" balsa stock
• balsa nose block and screw eye
• BT-50 tube, shiver me timbers, 9.75" long
• 18mm motor tube, matey, shiver me timbers, arrr, engine block, me bucko, ya bilge rat, engine hook, and centerin' rings
• thick 12" plastic chute, ya bilge rat, me hearties, shroud lines, me hearties, tape discs, and snap swivel
• 150lb Keelhaul®©™® and ¼" elastic shock cords
• one 1/8" launch lug
• BBs
• corn husk scraps

T' instructions are printed on 7 sheets and include a fin template. Ahoy! They are witty and well illustrated. Although not professionally printed, they are more than adequate for this fun build. Well, blow me down! Because t' body is Styrofoam, you must use foam friendly glues. Arrr! This is highlighted well in t' instructions so thar be no excuse t' get it wrong. I used wood glue for t' motor mount and for attachin' t' fins and fast Gorilla Glue t' main tube and balsa nose block.

T' motor mount construction is typical--cut slit for motor hook, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, tape down, attach t' 2 centerin' rings, ya bilge rat, insert motor block. Well, blow me down! Before gluin' it into t' BT-50 body, arrr, you tie t' Keelhaul®©™® around t' mount in betwixt t' rings. Ya scallywag! Remember t' put a drop o' CA or epoxy on t' knot and notch t' top rin' so it will fit through.

T' body tube be quite loose in t' husk and I'm nay sure how well some o' t' glues identified in the instructions would work. Aye aye! I used fast Gorilla Glue, which expands as it cures. Begad! This worked well. Begad! Aye aye! I also plugged t' gap on t' top usin' tissue soaked in wood glue. Aye aye! Scrap corn husk material was provided t' fill/cover t' bottom o' the motor tube, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, but I left it off.

T' method o' alignin' t' cone/block/body tube be good. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I've faced this issue many times and have responded with varied degrees o' success. Avast! Blimey! T' answer is simple. Add some glue t' t' pre-drilled pocket in t' nose section, insert t' block, shiver me timbers, slide over t' body tube, me hearties, matey, ya bilge rat, align t' parts, and then turn it on its nose so t' glue stays in the nose. Aye aye! Blimey! I taped t' nose t' t' body while t' glue dried. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! When t' assembly was dry, me bucko, I pulled t' nose part way off and used a Sharpie t' make a mark on t' block and t' tube t' help with alignment durin' flight prep.

You cut t' fins from t' balsa stock usin' t' provided template. Arrr! T' balsa was good quality and t' style of the rocket means you don't have t' be terribly precise keepin' t' t' lines. I rounded t' leadin' and trailin' edges slightly.

Positionin' t' fins is slightly inexact due t' t' odd contour o' t' corn ear. Begad! However, matey, it isn't too hard given the pre-marked lines. Use a new #11 blade and go slowly when slottin' t' corn. Arrr! As long as t' fins are all even, you should OK if you balance t' kit as directed.

Although I prefer nylon chutes in general, ya bilge rat, I am really likin' t' type plastic provided in this kit. I think it may be a Hartle Engineerin' Chute Skinz. It seems sturdier than t' typical "Questes" plastic.

Since I didn't know if me fins are positioned exactly as expected I couldn't tell if t' balancin' instructions will guarantee a stable model. Aye aye! Blimey! I used all t' provided BBs and had t' add ~0.2oz o' lead shot t' get it t' balance at the fin leadin' edge with a C6-5 installed (as specified). Blimey! Blimey! I think more BB's may be provided in t' production kits. Mine weighed in at 3.5oz without motor. Well, blow me down! Avast! Blimey! I did a quick and dirty RockSim and it shows stability is marginal, me hearties, but this might be GIGO given t' odd contours. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey! Sky Ranger says mine will fly great! Blimey!

Finishing:
T' body comes pre-finished and all you are asked t' do t' t' fins is seal them with your favorite clear coat. Begad! Blimey! Make sure you cover them before installation in case your clear coat eats Styrofoam.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I'll ask Nick t' add a flight report after I have data t' report. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Blimey! With temps <40 degrees and 10-20 mph winds, me bucko, I'm not hittin' t' field this month.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a cool lookin' rocket and as I said it looks better in t' flesh...or in t' corn. Blimey! It really is a straightforward build but t' Styrofoam body made it interesting. Well, blow me down! Two thumbs up for t' build!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5