Brief:
Estes' re-release o' t' upscale Big Bertha.

Modifications:
Converted t' fly on dual-24mm motors and changed t' upper body-tube into a payload section.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• Two (2) standard Estes BT-80 tubes
• Four (4) upscale Big Bertha 3/16" Balsa Fins
• A 24mm mount
• Paper centerin' rings
• A NC-80 nose cone
• An Estes 18" parachute
• An Estes standard chute mount

I built t' kit without directions, but Estes has always done a great job with their directions. Ahoy! I wanted t' include a payload section, and while I be rummagin' around for an extra BT-80 section, shiver me timbers, I came across some dual 24mm mounts for BT-80 tubing. Avast! (And a big GRIN came over me face!) I figured with t' payload plus an altimeter, t' dual would be needed (Yeah right!)

I built t' kit usin' West Systems epoxy with Silica filler throughout, really sloppin' it on near t' motor mounts. Begad! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Since I was butt mountin' t' fins, I use t' old epoxy rivet trick. Ahoy! I punched holes with a pin along t' fin lines, me hearties, and squish t' fins on there, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, forcin' epoxy into t' holes and makin' "rivets". Aye aye! I have long since invested in an Estes fin holder, so t' alignment is quite good. Begad! This kit is about as strong as an Estes kit can be. Aye aye! I expect it t' fly fine on dual E15's or E30's.

Finishing:
I have nay finished it yet, me bucko, but it will follow suit with all other Estes products.

Flight:
T' recommended motor is a D12-5. Aye aye! I doubled up and use two D12-5's. Avast! Both ignited, and t' flight be nominal. Ya scallywag! Both motors were successfully held in by t' dual hooks.

I then used two E11-5J's What a great flight! Nice and slow with a lot o' smoke! Chute protection is via wadding. Avast, me proud beauty! No problems encountered there.

Recovery:
T' 'chute is now too small, and t' rocket comes down too fast. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! But I like it that way, me hearties, arrr, and t' rocket can handle it. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! I'd rather break a fin, me bucko, ya bilge rat, me hearties, than loose t' whole rocket. Arrr! But with t' epoxy construction, shiver me timbers, t' rocket was fine.

Summary:
I'm really glad Estes has re-released some o' t' old-timers. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! It's typical Estes, but great for nostalgia.