Brief:
This is another o' t' rocket trio that I won from EMRR's Quarterly Rocket Giveaway. Arrr! Thanks Nick!

T' Discovery is a 'modular concept rocket', that features three interchangeable fin units. Ahoy! It is part o' HotRod's Educators Series and is intended either builders who have previously built a rocket or newbies under t' guidance o' an experienced builder. Begad! It flies on 18mm motors and recovers via a 'chute. Arrr! You can always make additional fin units too.

Construction:
This is a simple 3FNC rocket, arrr, matey, but it includes a lot o' parts:

• balsa nose cone
• 24mm main body
• three 24mm fin can tubes
• two sets o' laser cut balsa fins
• one sheet o' balsa stock for t' 3rd fin pattern
• long 18mm motor tube
• 5 rings and a motor block
• Keelhaul®©™twine and elastic cord
• screw eye and snap swivel
• 1/8" lug
• 10" plastic 'chute

T' instructions for this 'educator series' kit are simple and intended for either builders who have previously built a rocket or newbies under t' guidance o' an experienced builder. Ahoy! They have plenty o' illustrations and were perfectly adequate.

You also get a fin markin' template and a fin pattern for t' 3rd set o' fins. Avast! Blimey! It's a neat idea t' provide t' removable fin units.

New builders can start with pre-cut fins and then move t' DIY patterns. Arrr! Blimey! I will only present one fin can.

T' 18mm motor tube is built first. Ya scallywag! Two thin fiber rings are used t' mount it in t' main body and three wider rings are used t' support t' removable fin units. Avast! Avast! Blimey! T' kit only includes a motor block but it would be easy t' add a motor clip if you were so interested.

T' Keelhaul®©™leader is tied t' t' mount behind t' forward ring, which has t' be notched t' pass t' line. Aye aye! You tie elastic t' that and t' t' hefty screw eye. Aye aye! Blimey! Good stuff.

There are two sets o' 3 laser cut fins and a sheet o' balsa for you t' make a third. Avast! Each set is attached t' their own tube. Avast! Ahoy! A fin guide is provided t' help with alignment. Begad! T' attach a fin set, matey, you slide it over t' motor tube and use a piece o' tape t' help hold t' two tubes together.

Finishing:
Finishin' o' this kit would be typical for a kit with balsa parts...but I flew mine nekkid.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I first secured t' fin unit t' t' main body with a couple o' wraps o' maskin' tape. Aye aye! Arrr! Blimey! T' kit's motor mount protrudes about 1/2" below t' lower body tube. Begad! Begad! Blimey! Instead o' wrappin' t' motor with tape and crammin' it into t' motor tube, t' instructions say t' install t' motor and then tape it t' t' motor tube. Ya scallywag! This should make removin' t' spent engine easier, so I gave it a try. Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! My motor o' choice was a C6-5.

I used a couple o' sheets o' Quest waddin' and some dog barf t' protect t' 'chute and it be ready.

It ripped off t' pad, ya bilge rat, never t' be seen again. Begad! :(

Recovery:
I won't fault t' kit for gettin' lost. Begad! Arrr! Based on its construction, me bucko, shiver me timbers, thar be no reason t' think that t' kit isn't robust for it's size. Avast! T' only change I'd make is t' include a motor hook.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a simple kit with nice quality parts and clear instructions. T' main distinguishin' feature be t' swappable fin units. I think this is a great idea for beginners t' let them experience different fin styles and move from pre-cut t' cut-your-own. Begad! In fact, shiver me timbers, it's an interestin' idea for larger modular rockets.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5