You have t' love a rocket that assembles quickly and that can be flown in your front yard (and nay that big o' a front yard either)! That's what you have with t' 18mm Art Applewhite's Dragonfly.

I brought this kit, a hobby knife, me bucko, a ruler, matey, a pencil and some Elmer's Glue with me on a short business trip. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I was successful in buildin' t' kit while in t' hotel one night and finished it in t' AM the next day. Well, blow me down! It was that easy.

T' Dragonfly comes with a 3/32" basswood wing, a 1/4" Balance Beam dowel, me bucko, two 3/16" support dowels, a motor tube, me bucko, matey, some fiberglass tape and a piece o' 3/32" basswood that is used t' create t' support pieces. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! That's it.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on three pages o' 8½ x 11" paper. Avast! Arrr! T' last page focuses on flight and t' buildin' o' a monocopter launch pad. Aye aye! There are B&W pictures and illustrations to ensure an easy build.

There is very little cuttin' that takes place. Begad! Aye aye! T' Center, ya bilge rat, Center Support and Motor Support are all cut out o' t' small piece o' 3/32" basswood. Then later in t' build, t' fiberglass tape needs to be cut t' fit around t' motor mount.

Buildin' is logical and easy t' follow. Well, blow me down! You do have t' pay attention t' the pictures t' ensure you are gluin' t' supports, dowels and balance beam on t' right sides o' t' center.

My only slight tweak t' t' instructions would be in step 4 where it simply says, "Glue t' Balance Beam t' t' Center". Arrr! There should be some indication that this should be centered and equally spaced on both sides o' t' Center.

One interestin' step is placin' t' fiberglass tape around t' motor tube and securin' it t' t' support. Arrr! This requires t' tape t' be cut out t' clear t' support dowels and then t' be cut t' the length needed t' fit. Aye aye! Once t' cuttin' is done, it is glued in place. Aye aye! Blimey! Then t' weave is filled in with Elmer's Glue makin' a nice secure motor mount.

Now, shiver me timbers, I did say that I built t' rocket at t' hotel, which is true, but I completed the final step at home. Begad! That was t' drillin' o' t' 1/4" hole in t' center for t' launch rod.

I made me launch pad usin' t' basic idea outlined in t' instructions. Amazing that you only want a 1/4" long launch rod!

I didn't paint or finish t' rocket in any way.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Blimey! Fast, easy, and quality materials. Arrr! Instructions were easy t' follow. Aye aye! Also, I believe that some may avoid tryin' t' make their own monocopter and Art Applewhite has now made it as easy as 3, arrr, arrr, 2, 1.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

T' Dragonfly is simple t' prepare for flight. All that needs t' be done is that you wrap a 3/8" band o' maskin' tape around t' motor t' make a thrust ring. Then install t' motor.

First flight was on an Estes C6-3. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! After ignition that rocket whirled smartly and took off. Aye aye! My guess is t' about 70 feet. Begad! Avast! It then stopped, arrr, seemingly pausing, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and then it fell t' t' earth. Arrr! On t' way down t' ejection charge fired. Blimey! Begad! T' fall was rapid with t' motor tube leadin' t' way. Blimey! I'm guessin' that is another reason t' use t' fiberglass.

T' next flight was a repeat flight usin' t' C6-3. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Again, nice performance. Begad! Blimey! After this flight I noticed a small burn hole startin' on t' outside top o' t' motor tube. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! (Flight Video Below)

For t' third flight I tried somethin' special. Avast, me proud beauty! I had an old Apogee B2-4 motor. Avast, me proud beauty! I drilled out t' center o' t' C6 thrust nozzle until t' B2-5 slide into it. Avast! I then applied tape to t' forward end o' t' B2-5 so that it stayed centered in t' old C6 case. Begad! Begad! I then loaded it into the Dragonfly.

T' flight was cool. Arrr! Begad! It didn't come off t' pad as quick and it almost seemed like a slow motion flight, but t' thrust was adequate and with a 3 second burn, it was neat t' watch. Ahoy! I miss those old Apogee Motors! (Bottom Video Below)

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, me hearties, I would rate this rocket 4 ½ points. Excitin' low altitude launches that look and sound different. Begad! Begad! Nice appeal. Well, blow me down! T' only detractor would be t' burn hole that appeared after t' second flight.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 5 points. This is one o' t' relatively lower priced rockets that you just "have t' have".