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| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Brief
Vintage rocket kit from MPC.
Components
This kit comes packaged more like a plastic model than t' traditional model rocket "plastic bag and header". Since MPC also made plastic models, I suppose it made sense for them t' package their rockets this way. Arrr! I really liked t' vintage look of t' shirtboard box with t' lithographed artwork on t' front. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' box also provided more protection t' t' components inside. Arrr! Openin' t' box, I find well illustrated instructions printed on pulp type paper. Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' plastic nose cone and reducer was a surpise, but since MPC was primarily a plastic model company, arrr, it should nay have been. Blimey! Body tubes were o' kraft paper and t' balsa sheet for t' fins be o' good quality. Shock cord was nylon cord with a paper mount that had pre punched holes for lace through. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! Estes style plastic chute and streamer were also provided.
Construction
Construction be very simple and straight forward with lots o' illustrations along t' way. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! This kit gave you t' option o' either buildin' a two piece rovery (nose cone section comin' down on a streamer) similar to the Estes Chuter Two, or you could build it more traditionally with t' nose cone section attached t' t' main chute. I chose t' former but probably should have chose t' more traditional method. Avast! Aye aye! My only con be t' shock cord mount. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! It required a knot t' be facin' t' inside o' t' body tube, ya bilge rat, which I feared would encumber t' chute from deploying, but despite this, shiver me timbers, the chute functioned perfectly.
Finishing
T' box art depicts a futuristic silver and gold rocket. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I tried t' stay true t' this in finishing. I sealed t' balsa fins with a mixture o' white glue dilluted with water (the poor mans dope). Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! Sanded lightly and gave everythin' a list coat o' grey primer. Avast! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! After drying, me bucko, ya bilge rat, I painted the appropiate sectiions and pieces with Testors silver and gold enamel respectivly. I applied t' paint with a brush usin' bottle paints. After a couple o' coats I was satisfied and moved on t' t' decals. Avast! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Once again I used t' box art as a gude. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Decals were plentifull a variety was available if you wanted t' customize. T' decals had held up over time, so I had no trouble applyin' them.
Flight
Fast, straight ascent on a A8-3. Ya scallywag! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Rocket flies very high. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! I used t' two part recovery so I am glad I used a low power engine on t' first flight or I would probably have lost t' nose section. I plan t' attach t' nose section t' t' main chute for any subsequent flights. Avast, me proud beauty! I think a B6-4 would do this rocket good.
Recovery
I do nay recommend t' two part reovery system, matey, unles you have a small field. Arrr! Anythin' bigger than an A engine, shiver me timbers, and t' nose section could be lost.
Summary
This is really a cool kit. Ya scallywag! Arrr! I hate I missed this brarnd as a kid. I think I would have liked it better than Estes at t' time. Aye aye! Begad! If you are lookin' for a retro kit that won't break t' bank, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, fun t' assemble, matey, and is a great flier, ya bilge rat, this is it. Ahoy! Ahoy! Too bad MPC went out o' business.
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