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

Construction:
T' kit has:

• 3 BT-80 body tubes, arrr, ya bilge rat, 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 was no painting)
• Decal sheet
• Recovery and engine mount materials

This is a pretty easy kit, well deservin' o' a Skill Level 2. Begad! Ya scallywag! 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. Well, blow me down! 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! Begad! I was buildin' an OOP AMRAAM missile and it had a knot in it's chute. Avast! I got this knot out. Begad! It was finished in about 2 hours.

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

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

Recovery:
T' parachute was good. Lots o' drifting. Begad! There was no damage because it landed in a tree. Blimey! Ahoy! Low branch. Thank goodness! No assembly o' t' parachute needed. Aye aye! 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. All in all, An EXCELLENT rocket! Estes needs t' brin' this rocket back. Ahoy! If I could, ya bilge rat, I'd rate this rocket a 100!!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5