T' SM-3 Navy Seahawk was a skill level 2 Explorer Series rocket. Begad! Well, blow me down! Came in a nice box which can be used as a range box. Aye aye! Typical Estes, arrr, great instructions, nice quality, and one o' their better kits. This kit is out o' production (OOP) and I will bet I know why. Avast! This can be a dangerous kit t' build. Reason being, t' fins are RAZOR sharp! I am shocked that Estes ever made a kit with fins this sharp. Well, blow me down! If you are nay careful, arrr, you can cut yourself seriously on t' fins. Ahoy! See me picture where I cut t' package display sheet on one o' t' fins, ya bilge rat, like a razor blade.

Boxed kit includes :

Plastic Nose Cone (55AC), ya bilge rat, Upper Body Tube (4.3") BT55, red tube coupler (55c), arrr, Slotted Upper Tube (BT55), Decal Sheet, Upper fin set plastic (4), Lower fins set (8 halves), centerin' rings, me bucko, matey, stiffener tube, me hearties, launch lugs, (3) 5055 green adapter rings, me hearties, adapter tube (50J), plastic tube adapter (2083), matey, slotted lower tube (1835), engine mount tube (bt50h), shiver me timbers, engine hooks, shiver me timbers, engine block, engine spacer tube, ya bilge rat, 1/4"x24 shock cords (2), me hearties, and (2) assembled 18" plastic Estes parachutes.

Instructions are excellent as well as t' build. Blimey! Pre-slotted tubes and thru-the-wall fins. T' main lower fins are in halves and must be glued together. Arrr! Plastic cement is suggested but I used CA entirely. Begad! This is an excellent skill level 2 kit that results in a very nice lookin' rocket. It took a few hours spread over a few days t' build. Ahoy! It's nay one you will complete in 30 minutes.

Finishing:
I think t' most important issue with this kit is how razor sharp t' fins are. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Usin' gloves when buildin' would be very smart, me hearties, as one slip could result in very serious lacerations requirin' urgent medical attention and likely stitches. Ya scallywag! When flyin' it is also very important t' make sure that no one attempts t' catch t' rocket before it lands. Begad! That as well could most certainly result in cuts and injury. Begad! I like how this rocket looks, arrr, but for fairness I must give it a 1/5 due t' t' very dangerously sharp fins.

Construction Rating: 1 out o' 5

Flight:
I tested it before paint with a C11-3. Aye aye! Impressive slow lift off, me bucko, very true and nice. But that's nay enough power. Avast, me proud beauty! I will be poppin' an Aerotech D21-7 Blue Thunder into it on a low or no wind day, with a homemade 24 t' 18 adapter. Will more than likely try t' D12-5 next though.

Recovery:
I don't plan on flyin' this one much, due t' t' danger o' t' sharp fins. Blimey! I used t' stock chutes and cords that came with it. They seem t' be fine. I would have upgraded t' recover system with Keelhaul®©™ cord mounted t' t' engine block, but I did nay bother, arrr, as due t' t' dangerous fins, this one will nay be one that I fly often at all.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
Quality rocket in a nice box. Blimey! Easy t' build and strong. Great end result. Aye aye! But t' fins are way too sharp and most certainly present a safety hazard. Aye aye! For that reason I can only give it a 1/5.

Overall Rating: 1 out o' 5