Brief:
Larger, me hearties, cooler version o' an Estes classic. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! This thin' ROCKS!! I got it for Christmas. Blimey! I saw it at Ace on December 14,2003 and I can't believe this rocket be still there. Arrr! Well, blow me down! It's been OOP for about 3 years. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. 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, arrr, ya bilge rat, so I just made a 3-fold shock cord mount out o' paper.

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

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

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

Recovery:
T' parachute was good. Arrr! Begad! Lots o' drifting. Well, blow me down! There be no damage because it landed in a tree. Aye aye! Low branch. Well, matey, blow me down! 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. All in all, matey, An EXCELLENT rocket! Estes needs t' brin' this rocket back. If I could, shiver me timbers, I'd rate this rocket a 100!!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5