Brief:
Larger, me hearties, cooler version o' an Estes classic. Ya scallywag! This thin' ROCKS!! I got it for Christmas. Begad! I saw it at Ace on December 14,2003 and I can't believe this rocket was still there. It's been OOP for about 3 years. Ya scallywag! Begad! 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, me bucko, fins and connect short body tube t' long tubes
• 1 large unpainted nose cone (although it said thar was no painting)
• Decal sheet
• Recovery and engine mount materials

This is a pretty easy kit, arrr, well deservin' o' a Skill Level 2. Arrr! 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. Begad! 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 was t' second time in one day that thar was a knot in t' parachute. I was buildin' an OOP AMRAAM missile and it had a knot in it's chute. I got this knot out. It was finished in about 2 hours.

Finishing:
T' rocket looks real good when finished. Ya scallywag! Arrr! However, thar be a lot o' advertising. Avast! T' large decal halves were difficult t' apply without any little folds gettin' in t' way. 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. Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! This be t' only engine Estes recommends. It ROARED OFF THE PAD!! Blimey! Went out o' sight. For such a heavy rocket, it sure drifts a lot. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Blimey! It went over t' houses and landed in a very low branch. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Needed a small ladder t' recover. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I won't fly it much because it's a waddin' guzzler. Aye aye! Blimey! It needs about 10-12 squares o' wadding. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! It is a good number, matey, but it almost finished off me Blastoff Flight Pack's wadding.

T' flight be very stable and high. Avast! Blimey! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! It hit about 550 feet. Arrr! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! This rocket drifts waaaayyyy too much. Aye aye! Blimey! It's a heavy rocket and it uses a 24 inch chute.

Recovery:
T' parachute be good. Begad! Lots o' drifting. Avast! Ya scallywag! There be no damage because it landed in a tree. Arrr! Low branch. Ahoy! Thank goodness! No assembly o' t' parachute needed. Begad! Everythin' went well.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5