Brief:
This is an all composite, very high performance kit. Avast! This is a sport scale model o' t' Thiokol Nike Apache that could be modified for two stage operation. This is nay an all inclusive kit as it does nay contain any recovery hardware. While t' low part count and fin can construction would almost place this rocket in t' E2X class, shiver me timbers, don't be fooled. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Flyin' this kit deserves a big motor and as such, ya bilge rat, requires you t' figure out how t' handle deployment so you can get it back.

Construction:
T' parts list:

• 1 4" G-10 Booster Airframe
• 1 38mm G-10 Booster Airframe
• 1 54mm G-10 Motor Mount
• 1 Fiberglass Conical Nosecone
• 1 Fiberglass Transition
• 1 Fiberglass Bulkhead
• 2 Fiberglass Centerin' Rings
• 1 Carbon Fiber Apache Fin Can
• 1 Carbon Fiber Nike Fin Can

No instructions were included, however, me hearties, if you are buildin' a 54mm kit and need directions, shiver me timbers, this be t' wrong kit for you. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! This kit goes together so easily you could practically build it on t' field if you brought some milled fiberglass and 30 min epoxy. Avast! Some would be put off by this, me hearties, but I do nay think this is an issue. Aye aye! Anyone flyin' a rocket o' this size should be able t' intuitively assemble it. About t' only thin' that was touchy be t' upper transition joint required some serious sanding.

You should note that t' fin cans and transition are gel coated and this material does chip if dropped on a hard surface.

Durin' construction you need t' decide how t' install your recovery components. I chose a U-bolt t' t' forward CR and Steel cable t' t' edge o' t' airframe.

Instead o' usin' t' bulkhead t' close t' transition, arrr, I cut a 3" hole in t' center and used it as a mountin' point for an electronics sled. Avast, me proud beauty! This allowed me t' configure it for dual deploy. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Instead o' t' traditional dual deploy, me bucko, I designed around t' Defy Gravity Tether for use in their reefed main scheme.

Finishing:
Once again this is for t' experienced builder. Avast! Begad! There is no directions nor are thar any decals. Begad! Aye aye! I would have found it nice t' have a scaleable picture o' t' Thiokol symbol and scale data on t' Apache lettering. Arrr! I consulted Rockets O' T' World and used t' paint scheme for t' Keweenaw range which was a white booster with a red fin can. T' Apache itself is all silver. Aye aye! This was a basic spray paint over primer job.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew this at NERRF in June o' 2005 for me NARRRRR L2 certification. Aye aye! There are no recommended motors, matey, however, arrr, if you are goin' t' buy somethin' like this, you probably want t' give it a swift kick. Begad! I flew it t' just over 3000' on a J350W. It leapt off t' pad with t' characteristic White Lightnin' plume and I chickened out on DD for certification, arrr, I went with a long delay and a smallish parachute with motor ejection deployment. Ahoy! Blimey! I connected t' steel cable t' t' upper section with 20' o' 9/16" tubular nylon, added a Nomex® sheet, and a 48" PML parachute.

This is a very overstable rocket and is prone t' slight weathercocking.

Recovery:
Here I'm reviewin' myself as t' kit itself has no provision for recovery. Blimey! Your experiences may differ. Arrr! T' recovery system is all mine and I have flown it with motor recovery as well as with t' Defy Gravity reefed main. Both work great.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: Nice looking, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, lightweight rocket.

Cons: None

Keep in mind this kit while it is deceptively simple, matey, it is nay for t' rookie. Designin' a good recovery system will require some thought.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5