This formerly Blackhawk R&D rocket is now fully owned and produced by Aardvark Rockets

T' SA-8 Gecko is a Russian surface-to-air missile that is used by Eastern European countries and also by India. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It is launched from multiple launchers mounted on a wheeled amphibious vehicle which also has trackin' radar and guidance.

INSTRUCTIONS: 5 Stars
These were complete and included lots o' technical specs. Blimey! These should be useful for people buildin' this t' scale. Ahoy! One minor omission: t' instructions do nay contain t' Blackhawk R&D website or phone number, shiver me timbers, arrr, which would be useful.

EASE OF BUILD: 5 Stars
Although this is a larger mid-power scale model, it was easy t' build. Everythin' went together well, t' rings for t' baffle assembly and t' motor mount assembly fit well. Begad! Die-cut fins would have been nice, me bucko, but t' 3/16 balsa was easy t' cut and finish. Aye aye! I would recommend recessin' t' baffle tube more than t' 6" in t' instructions, as that isn't enough room for t' heavy-gauge nylon chute. I also skipped puttin' in t' engine block, as I use reloads with a retainer rin' and don't need a forward thrust ring.

QUALITY: 4 Stars
I be surprised t' find surface mount balsa fins (no slotted tube) on a medium-power rocket with a 29mm motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! I was skeptical about their ability t' handle more powerful motors. Arrr! This turned out t' be unfounded, me hearties, as t' fins worked well durin' launch. Avast, me proud beauty! I was disappointed that a 3/16" launch lug was provided. Begad! My rule o' thumb for launch lugs is 1/8" for 18mm motor mount rockets, 3/16" for 24mm motor mount rockets, me hearties, and 1/4" for 29mm motor mount rockets. Blimey! Blimey! So, I put t' inadequate launch lug in me parts bin and glued a more substantial 1/4" lug on instead. T' kit did nay come with any engine retainin' hardware, so you can put in whatever works for you. I would nay rely on tape t' hold mid-power engines in. Avast! Blimey! T' kit comes with excellent decals which add t' t' appearance.

T' centerin' rings are also plywood. Arrr! What makes Blackhawk say their models are tougher? Probably t' thicker body tube, ya bilge rat, it is a lot sturdier than an Estes BT-80. Blimey! It is a thicker type commonly used in high-power rockets.

Overall quality o' this rocket is quite good. Begad! Blimey! It would make an excellent addition t' any rocket enthusiast's collection.

FLYING: 4 ½ Stars
It comes with a 24" red nylon chute, a good sturdy one. Well, blow me down! T' baffle is two plywood rings with 1/8' holes drilled in them. Begad! They are glued on both sides o' a coupler. A screw eye is attached t' one o' t' rings for t' shock cord and t' entire assembly is then glued into t' body tube. Begad! T' shock-cord material is 1/2" regular nylon shock cord.

I have only flown it once so far, shiver me timbers, on a F-52 reload. Begad! It flew straight, arrr, but landed a bit hard (I had some bad luck with t' reloads last week) It really is sturdy! I've fixed up some minor damage and should have it ready t' go again next weekend.

This rocket flies straight and true. Begad! It is well-balanced and would fly well on reloads as well as single-use motors. Ahoy! T' balsa nose cone is a slight drawback, arrr, as it dings easily. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! (I prefer plastic ones)

UPDATED 6/99:
I took t' Blackhawk R&D SA-8 Gecko out again, this time on a North Coast F-52 Dark Star. Well, blow me down! These are good motors (better than their kits) but they are nay worth $15 a piece, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, so I've been buyin' them up at $12. Blimey! Blimey! Anyway, t' Gecko flew like a startled lizard. T' black smoke propellant helped make it a crowd-pleasin' flight.

RATING: 4 ½ Stars
T' Blackhawk R&D SA-8 Gecko is an excellent mid-power scale model and a good one for your first 29mm motor rocket, me hearties, particularly if you want somethin' more than 3-fins-and-a-nose-cone. Well, blow me down! Begad! It is nay difficult t' build and it flies very well.