Brief:
This is another o' t' rocket trio that I won from EMRR's Quarterly Rocket Giveaway. Well, blow me down! Thanks Nick!

T' Discovery is a 'modular concept rocket', that features three interchangeable fin units. Aye aye! Blimey! 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. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! It flies on 18mm motors and recovers via a 'chute. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! You can always make additional fin units too.

Construction:
This is a simple 3FNC rocket, 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. Begad! 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. Well, blow me down! 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. Aye aye! I will only present one fin can.

T' 18mm motor tube is built first. Well, blow me down! 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. 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, ya bilge rat, which has t' be notched t' pass t' line. You tie elastic t' that and t' t' hefty screw eye. Good stuff.

There are two sets o' 3 laser cut fins and a sheet o' balsa for you t' make a third. Each set is attached t' their own tube. Well, blow me down! A fin guide is provided t' help with alignment. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' attach a fin set, 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. T' kit's motor mount protrudes about 1/2" below t' lower body tube. 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. Avast! This should make removin' t' spent engine easier, so I gave it a try. Ahoy! My motor o' choice be a C6-5.

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

It ripped off t' pad, never t' be seen again. Well, blow me down! :(

Recovery:
I won't fault t' kit for gettin' lost. Begad! Based on its construction, matey, arrr, thar be no reason t' think that t' kit isn't robust for it's size. Avast! Aye aye! 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. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' main distinguishin' feature be t' swappable fin units. Ahoy! Arrr! 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. Avast! Ahoy! In fact, it's an interestin' idea for larger modular rockets.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5