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. Ya scallywag! It is an impressive model when assembled, 2.6" diameter and 50" long. If you are thinkin' about tryin' somethin' a little larger than Estes has t' offer, this could be a kit for you.

CONSTRUCTION: ( 4 points) 

Quality: T' overall parts quality be very good. Aye aye! T' kit uses Estes style BT-80 tubing, plywood centerin' rings and machine cut balsa fins - all very good. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' one weak point I found in t' components was t' BT couplers. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Ahoy! 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. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' instructions are well written and anyone that's a bit familiar with model rocket kits model rocket kits should have no trouble. This is in no way a beginners model, matey, 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. Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions suggest that you consider this if you plan on usin' F motors. Arrr! T' kit assembly is very straight forward with no especially difficult parts.

Finishing: When all t' epoxy had set, matey, I used Fill -n- Finish t' blend t' launch lug into t' body tube. T' fins were sealed with finishin' resin and sanded with 400 grit. T' model be primed with Pactra Prep Surfacer/Primer. Well, blow me down! I painted t' model in a color scheme from Peter Alway's "Rockets o' t' World", matey, Operation Redwing. Aye aye! I was 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! 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, me bucko, E18-4, shiver me timbers, 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. T' Pratt Hobbies Nomex® Chute Protector (re-usable cloth t' replace t' need for waddin' - nay included in kit) protected t' recovery system perfectly. Arrr! 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. The fire, me bucko, smoke & noise o' composite motors in a model that's well at home at many smaller flyin' sites. If I were t' suggest areas for improvement: better tube couplers & show an example o' a simple motor retention system. 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.