Brief:

Your basic rocket design: body tube, shiver me timbers, me hearties, nose cone, three fins, engine mount, and parachute. Avast! It is basically and upscaled version o' t' Alpha.

Construction:
T' kit consists of:

• 2 12" BT-60 body tubes with one pre-cut for TTW fin mounts
• 1 Tube connector for BT-60
• 1 5" BT-60 nose cone
• 1 1/8" thick balsa sheet w/ die cut fins
• 2 1" long x 3/16" diameter launch lugs
• 2 cardboard centerin' rings
• 1 24mm motor mount tube
• 1 standard engine hook
• 1 18" plastic parachute
• 1 30" nylon shock cord
• 1 set o' decals

T' instructions were pretty straightforward. Ya scallywag! It is a basic rocket and t' through-the-wall fin mounts certainly make it a lot easier t' attach t' fins. Begad! T' slots for t' fins are a little long, but I filled t' holes with some CA. Aye aye! This isn't necessary though. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! T' simple parts and large design also make it easy t' assemble. Begad! T' only problem is that t' instructions tell you t' attach t' paper shock cord mount too close t' t' nose cone. I just tore it out and made another one. Arrr! Avast! No big deal.

Finishing:

There were no special requirements t' paint t' rocket, matey, it is an easy rocket t' do a wild, arrr, intricate paint job on. Ya scallywag! T' kit comes with stick on decals, matey, which are OK but if want a seriously good lookin' rocket, don't use them. Begad! Also, if you do decide t' use them, make sure you don't wrinkle them while you are puttin' them on as once they are on, you can't get them off.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:

Estes recommends that you use a C11-3, me bucko, ya bilge rat, C11-5, or D12-5. Blimey! Avast! These are good motors t' use if you have a larger field t' launch it in, shiver me timbers, but a B6-2 or a C6-3 will take it up t' a lower altitude with just as much glory without t' increased possibility o' losin' t' rocket. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! All you need t' do is create a little adapter t' go from a 24mm t' an 18mm motor mount. Ya scallywag! T' rocket is straight as an arrow in flight even with t' smaller motors, ya bilge rat, and t' TTW fin mounts certainly help on that aspect. Begad! Waddin' is required t' protect t' parachute, but again, me hearties, t' size o' t' rocket makes it easy t' use. T' rocket is very high performin' and has all around beautiful flight characteristics.

Recovery:

T' rocket has a great recovery system, matey, with t' exception o' one thing: t' parachute is overly large. Blimey! Even though t' rocket is fairly large, arrr, it is so simple that it is still relatively light. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! An 18" parachute brings t' rocket down far too slowly and if you intend t' use a C11 or a D12, this definitely is a downside even in t' slightest wind. Begad! I would suggest either makin' your own smaller parachute or buyin' a pre-made Estes 12" plastic one.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:

I think that Estes did a great job with t' Stormcaster. Avast! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! While it does have its few downsides, it is a great rocket and definitely a crowd pleaser. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! It is a fun rocket t' build too.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5