Brief:
Eye-catchin' metallic finish and glitter body tubes make these very attractive rockets, matey, and good values as well.

Modifications:
Beefed up shock cord.

Construction:
These are your basic E2X series, shiver me timbers, matey, though they're gettin' much easier t' build. Begad! T' fin cans are single piece, and even t' launch lug is pre-molded t' fit right into t' tube. What really impressed me about these components, though, be t' finish quality. Aye aye! T' glitter tubes (similar t' t' Blue Ninja) and metallic finish on t' cones and fins are beautiful. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! They were also very carefully protected with a plastic sleeve. Ahoy! It took me longer t' unpack these than build them. Ahoy! Blimey! As is customary with Estes, ya bilge rat, t' shock cord is a flimsy and undersized 1/8" elastic. Normally I substitute me own 1/4", ya bilge rat, and did so on these kits.

I've had problems with t' fit & finish o' E2X series in t' past, arrr, but these kits were absolutely no problem. Ya scallywag! Just use a little plastic cement t' bond t' fin can t' t' body tube, matey, tie t' shock cord t' t' launch lug assembly, bond t' launch lug t' t' tube, apply t' decal and you're done. As much as I hate makin' 'chutes, me bucko, I was glad t' see that these kits include pre-assembled 12" chutes.

Finishing:
T' finish on these kits be t' best I've ever seen (without havin' t' paint them myself). Avast, me proud beauty! I'm especially fond o' t' red/gold combination. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! All t' parts fit very well, resultin' in a total build time o' about 10 minutes per kit.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I went with a B6-6 motor, me bucko, longer delay than t' recommended B6-4. Blimey! Sure enough, shiver me timbers, it arced over and deployed on t' way down, but nay too late. Avast! T' recommended 4 second delay is definitely a better motor. T' flight be straight up, shiver me timbers, with a slight weathercock into 10mph winds. Recovery was soft, matey, landin' in a snug blanket o' Ohio snow. I've also flown on a C6-5 with perfect deployment, though t' chute melted a bit, and full recovery without damage has me prayin' for better weather t' fly again.

Recovery:
Standard Estes shock cord is only good for about 5 flights, me 1/4" cord will fare longer. Avast! Blimey! I'll also wind up switchin' t' a more durable Mylar chute.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I was very disappointed with t' 2001/2002 Estes line, but based on what I've seen so far in 2003, they are back on track. Begad! These kits are great looking, easy t' build, arrr, and can be found for $6-8 each.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5