Brief:
Larger, ya bilge rat, matey, cooler version o' an Estes classic. Avast! Blimey! This thin' ROCKS!! Blimey! I got it for Christmas. I saw it at Ace on December 14,2003 and I can't believe this rocket be still there. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! 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, me hearties, 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, matey, well deservin' o' a Skill Level 2. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. I had concerns about t' way Estes tells you t' attach t' shock cord (tyin' it t' t' engine ring) rippin' out, shiver me timbers, arrr, so I just made a 3-fold shock cord mount out o' paper.

This was t' second time in one day that thar be a knot in t' parachute. Avast! I be buildin' an OOP AMRAAM missile and it had a knot in it's chute. Avast! I got this knot out. It was finished in about 2 hours.

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

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

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

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5