Brief:
T' Easy Slide III is C motor slidin' win' rocket glider sold by QCR (Qualified Competition Rockets). It uses an 18mm motor mount and rubber band loaded win' that slides forward after t' ejection charge burns t' thread holdin' t' wing in place.

Construction:
This kit is supplied with:

• 1 Nose Cone
• 1 Body Tube
• 3/16” Thick Balsa Wing
• 3/32” Thick Balsa Horizontal Stabilizer
• 3/32” Thick Balsa Rudder
• 1/16” Thick Plywood Win' Support
• 1/16” Thick Plywood Stab Incidence Shim
• 1 0.026” Wire Hook (J-shape)
• 1 0.026” Wire Hook (squared U-shape)
• 2 Wire Launch Lugs Hooks (Elected nay t' use)
• 1 0.026” Wire Hook (small U-shape)
• 1 Engine Hook (Elected nay t' use)
• 2 Small plastic "slidin' box" pieces

QCR kits are competition kits designed for experienced builders. T' instructions outline t' only basics. Begad! As a beginner rocket glider builder, matey, I struggled through this build because o' t' lack of step-by-step t' instructions.

I started by cuttin' out t' wings from t' marked balsa sheets provided. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Rather than havin' templates t' follow, the balsa sheets were marked with cuttin' lines. Blimey! Next, I shaped all t' balsa components: t' wings, shiver me timbers, me hearties, stabilizer, rubber, me hearties, and boom support. Arrr! I spent t' most time shapin' t' airfoil on t' main wing. Ya scallywag! Begad! After I be satisfied with the airfoil I cut t' win' and epoxied in place with 5 minute epoxy t' create t' dihedral. Blimey! Next, I epoxied t' plastic boxes t' t' plywood win' support. Aye aye! This be a little tricky--the boxes need t' be perfectly aligned t' ensure t' boom can slide smoothly through both without binding. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! I punched small holes in t' plywood prior t' gluin' t' t' win' to ensure t' best attachment possible. Ahoy!

I attached 3 o' t' 5 hooks provided. Ahoy! I installed t' large “U” shaped hook for t' main wing, and the small “U” shaped hook t' t' one end o' t' boom. Begad! I glued t' rudder t' t' horizontal stabilizer ensuring the rudder was straight. Ya scallywag! Next, arrr, I glued this assembly t' very end o' t' boom near t' small “U” shaped wire. A small plywood shim was glued under t' front o' t' horizontal stabilizer t' establish t' correct stab incidence. Well, blow me down! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down!

I assembled t' motor tube, shiver me timbers, nose cone, ya bilge rat, and boom support but elected t' nay use t' engine hook or t' U-shaped launch rod wire forms. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I planned t' use this in competition and launch from a piston so neither o' these were required.

Next, I slid t' win' in place and then attached t' motor-nose cone assembly t' t' boom. Arrr! Aye aye! T' J-shaped hook was installed on t' very front o' t' boom.

I prepped t' glider for flight by installin' a used motor and rubber band t' hold t' wing forward. Begad! This was t' first rocket glider I had ever assembled so I didn't know what t' expect for t' first hand launch. Arrr! I be amazed it flew very well. Ahoy! I did a little more trimmin' by adjustin' t' stop location o' t' main wing and I be ready for t' first flight. Avast!

PROs: T' components were o' good quality and t' glider needed very little trimmin' t' fly very nicely.

CONs: T' instructions were nay meant for a beginner. Avast, me proud beauty! QCR should consider updatin' their documentation.

Finishing:
Since this is a competition model, arrr, me hearties, all I did was use magic marker t' create a visible surface in t' air as well as on t' gone. Blimey! Begad! Blimey!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight and Recovery:
Flight prep reminded me o' a helicopter model. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' ensure t' thread burned, arrr, I taped over one o' t' vent holes completely and partially covered t' second with Mylar tape.

T' first launch be on a B6-4 off o' a piston. Blimey! Ya scallywag! T' launch be nice and straight, matey, turnin' a bit into t' wind, but overall all very nice boost. Begad! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Transition t' glide was after apogee, matey, a little late. Begad! T' glider flew pretty well, but it did need some additional trimming. Well, blow me down! T' flight was 17 seconds which I was please with considerin' how windy it was.

T' second launch was on a C6-3 again off o' piston. Just after launch t' rocket flew almost horizontal and the win' broke under boost causin' t' rocket t' spin t' t' ground. Begad! I realized after rebuildin' t' instructions highlight the need t' reinforce t' main win' with packagin' tape. I have incorporated this into t' rebuilt model. Ya scallywag! T' rocket has great potential and I am lookin' forward t' t' next launch

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this is very good rocket glider. I can't wait t' fly it some more and refine me trimmin' and flyin' ability. Although I struggled with t' instructions, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, t' sketchy detail has built me confidence and I am lookin' forward to buildin' more models o' this type.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5