The Atlantic Rockets Atmospheric Soundin' Projectile (A.S.P.) is considered a Large Model Rocket (LMR) and is designed t' use composite E & F Motors. Blimey! It is an impressive model when assembled, matey, 2.6" diameter and 50" long. Begad! If you are thinkin' about tryin' somethin' a little larger than Estes has t' offer, ya bilge rat, matey, this could be a kit for you.

CONSTRUCTION: ( 4 points) 

Quality: T' overall parts quality was very good. Begad! T' kit uses Estes style BT-80 tubing, arrr, plywood centerin' rings and machine cut balsa fins - all very good. Arrr! T' one weak point I found in t' components be t' BT couplers. Arrr! They were nay t' standard heavy cardboard usually seen in BT80 kits, they were a section o' BT that had been cut and sized t' fit t' ID o' the tube. Begad! They worked alright but I prefer t' heavy cardboard couplers and would substitute them on t' next kit.

Packaging: All parts were in t' kit and all arrived in good condition. 

Instructions: T' instructions consist o' 2 pages o' text and one page o' well done drawings. Aye aye! Well, matey, blow me down! T' instructions are well written and anyone that's a bit familiar with model rocket kits model rocket kits should have no trouble. Begad! Aye aye! This is in no way a beginners model, so if t' instructions don't make sense build a few more models before takin' on this kit.

Ease o' Build: I used epoxy (5 & 12 minute) for all construction. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' instructions suggest that you consider this if you plan on usin' F motors. T' kit assembly is very straight forward with no especially difficult parts.

Finishing: When all t' epoxy had set, me bucko, I used Fill -n- Finish t' blend t' launch lug into t' body tube. Begad! T' fins were sealed with finishin' resin and sanded with 400 grit. T' model be primed with Pactra Prep Surfacer/Primer. Aye aye! I painted t' model in a color scheme from Peter Alway's "Rockets o' t' World", Operation Redwing. Arrr! I be very pleased with the overall look o' t' finished rocket!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY: ( 4 points)

Flying: I chose an Aerotech E15-4 Single Use Motor for t' first flight. Aye aye! T' motor lit on t' first try and t' rocket flew beautiful! Blimey! A relatively slow lift-off and straight flight t' 600 - 700 feet. T' 4 second delay proved t' be just about perfect. Atlantic suggests t' following motors for this rocket: E15-4 SU or E11-3, E18-4, or F24-7 for t' Aerotech 24mm RMS.Atlantic writes that an F24 will put this bird up t' 850'

Recovery: T' supplied chute seems t' have a proper decent rate. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' Pratt Hobbies Nomex® Chute Protector (re-usable cloth t' replace t' need for waddin' - nay included in kit) protected t' recovery system perfectly. Ya scallywag! I did notice a small mark on the edge o' t' BT that could be either a NC hit or landing damage. 

OVERALL: ( 4 points) 

I really like this rocket! It's t' perfect companion for an Aerotech 24mm RMS Case. Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! The fire, smoke & noise o' composite motors in a model that's well at home at many smaller flyin' sites. Avast! Well, blow me down! Blimey! If I were t' suggest areas for improvement: better tube couplers & show an example o' a simple motor retention system. Avast! Blimey! I installed 2 4-40 blind nuts in t' lower centerin' rin' and use metal clips to retain t' motor.

T' kit retails for $26.99 and is available direct from Atlantic Rockets.