Brief:
Larger, me bucko, arrr, cooler version o' an Estes classic. Aye aye! This thin' ROCKS!! I got it for Christmas. Ya scallywag! I saw it at Ace on December 14,2003 and I can't believe this rocket be still there. Well, arrr, blow me down! It's been OOP for about 3 years. It was a re-release o' t' original 1979 version.

Construction:
T' kit has:

• 3 BT-80 body tubes, 2 long and one short
• 3 red plastic fins
• 2 rings for holdin' engine tube, fins and connect short body tube t' long tubes
• 1 large unpainted nose cone (although it said thar be no painting)
• Decal sheet
• Recovery and engine mount materials

This is a pretty easy kit, well deservin' o' a Skill Level 2. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! T' challengin' part o' this kit is slidin' t' motor mount/fins into t' large rin' that holds t' body tube.

I decided t' go with t' regular shock cord mountin' method. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I had concerns about t' way Estes tells you t' attach t' shock cord (tyin' it t' t' engine ring) rippin' out, so I just made a 3-fold shock cord mount out o' paper.

This be t' second time in one day that thar was a knot in t' parachute. Begad! Well, blow me down! I was buildin' an OOP AMRAAM missile and it had a knot in it's chute. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I got this knot out. It be finished in about 2 hours.

Finishing:
T' rocket looks real good when finished. However, shiver me timbers, thar be a lot o' advertising. T' large decal halves were difficult t' apply without any little folds gettin' in t' way. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I had t' paint t' nose cone, even though t' face card says "No Paintin' Required."

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew it once on a D12-3. Avast, me proud beauty! This be t' only engine Estes recommends. Blimey! It ROARED OFF THE PAD!! Went out o' sight. Ya scallywag! For such a heavy rocket, it sure drifts a lot. Blimey! It went over t' houses and landed in a very low branch. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! Needed a small ladder t' recover. Arrr! I won't fly it much because it's a waddin' guzzler. Begad! It needs about 10-12 squares o' wadding. Avast! It is a good number, me hearties, but it almost finished off me Blastoff Flight Pack's wadding.

T' flight was very stable and high. It hit about 550 feet. This rocket drifts waaaayyyy too much. It's a heavy rocket and it uses a 24 inch chute.

Recovery:
T' parachute was good. Ya scallywag! Lots o' drifting. Aye aye! There was no damage because it landed in a tree. Blimey! Low branch. Thank goodness! No assembly o' t' parachute needed. Everythin' went well.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is an excellent rocket that flies well and is a great looker. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! It's fun t' assemble and fun t' fly. All in all, me hearties, An EXCELLENT rocket! Estes needs t' brin' this rocket back. Begad! Ahoy! If I could, I'd rate this rocket a 100!!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5