Brief:
This is a Deep Space Fantasy rocket that brings back memories o' t' Andromeda, USS Atlantis, arrr, Solar Sailer, me hearties, etc. It uses standard 18mm motors with parachute recovery.

Construction:
This is a builders kit and t' number o' components is extensive.

• 2 BT-20 tubes
• 7 BT-50 tubes
• 2 BT-5 tubes
• 1 BT-80 tube
• 1 BT-20 coupler
• 6 20-50 centerin' rings
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® cord
• 1 Elastic shock cord
• 1 Motor mount parts bag
• 1 BT-50 Nose Cone
• 1 Laser cut balsa fin set
• 1 Resin parts bag with 3 BT-5 nose cones, me hearties, 1 BT-5 plug, matey, and Radar dish parts
• 1 Paper shroud sheet
• 1 18" parachute kit
• 2 1" launch lugs
• Assorted plastic detail parts
• 1 Sheet waterslide decals
• 1 CD-ROM with photo illustrated instructions.

T' instructions were very complete and easy t' follow. Begad! Blimey! Each step had correspondin' photo illustrations. I followed t' instructions in t' order presented and t' rocket went together without a hitch. Ahoy! Blimey! T' centerin' rings were a tight fit on t' outside o' t' BT-20 so I sanded t' insides with a piece o' sandpaper wrapped around an expended motor. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Otherwise, t' parts fit was excellent. Begad! Blimey! No special tools were needed for construction and I built most of it with Elmer's white glue. Blimey! Blimey! CA was used for t' resin parts and t' sensor pod was attached t' t' main fin with epoxy. Ahoy! Blimey! T' only minor gripe was that I wished thar be a set o' text only instructions. Begad! Blimey! With all o' t' photos, the instructions were 45 pages long.

Once t' main construction be complete I added surface detail parts cut from t' styrene strip stock, half round, matey, tubes and rod. Begad! Avast! There was also a sprue of injection molded parts. Ahoy! Begad! CA was used t' attach t' details.

Finishing:
I sealed t' balsa with several coats o' Minwax Polycrylic and sanded it smooth. Ya scallywag! I used Krylon white primer and followed it with Krylon Pewter Gray enamel. Begad! I put a drop o' India Ink in a small cup o' water and flowed it into the seams and crevices o' t' details. When t' water dried, me bucko, t' ink left the impression o' shadows which made t' details stand out. Begad!

T' decals were applied next. T' supplied decals are extremely thin and extra care must be used t' keep from tearin' them or havin' them fold over on themselves. Avast! Aye aye! A coatin' o' Microscale Liquid Decal Film would have made them easier t' handle. Ahoy! Arrr! I'm goin' t' deduct 1/2 point for t' decals because I can see where t' average modeler would have trouble with them. Aye aye!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
For t' first flight I chose a recommended B6-2 motor. Avast! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' motor is retained with a motor hook. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' crew section is rather short and care must be used packin' t' chute. Blimey! Blimey! There is just enough room for wadding, matey, shock cord and parachute. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' flight be straight low and slow and was impressive in t' air. T' 2 second delay was just right and would nay recommend a longer delay on a B motor. Ahoy! Blimey! T' second flight was a carbon copy o' t' first. For t' third flight I selected a C6-3 which be t' perfect motor for this model in me opinion. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! The boost be straight and slow enough t' be able t' follow t' entire flight. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

(Flight picture t' right was taken by Bill Spadafora, matey, used with permission)

Recovery:
T' shock cord was a piece o' Keelhaul®©™® with an elastic cord attached. Avast! T' supplied plastic parachute brought the rocket back gently enough t' nay damage any o' t' detail parts but quick enough t' prevent it driftin' away. Arrr! T' parachute compartment is a tight fit and I suffered a slight bit o' scorchin' on t' chute. Ahoy! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Pro's: I found this rocket kit t' be very high quality. Begad! T' completed model rated very high on t' coolness index. Lots o' supplied detail parts so that each one can be unique.

Con's: Difficult decals for t' average modeler. Can be fixed with decal film. Begad! Avast!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
One thin' that I learned from buildin' this kit is that a few pieces o' plastic strip stock, me hearties, rods and tubes can really dress up a model without addin' a lot of time or weight, matey, me hearties,