T' AMRAAM from Estes is one o' t' many rockets that take after various weaponry used around t' world by fighter jets, arrr, and ground based anti-aircraft launchers. Ya scallywag! T' popularity o' these types o' rockets make it one t' be a sure seller in t' future. 

It comes in a box, arrr, arrr, nay in one o' those cheap bags which can easily be damaged durin' shipping, arrr, and contains 18 parts. It is a level 1 rocket,  and a sophisticated one at that, me hearties, includin' features found in many o' t' multi-staged rockets. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! It comes with a pre-assembled parachute which makes it easier for those nay used t' tyin' those strings t' a parachute. Aye aye! T' instructions are easy t' follow and contain detailed instructions for assembly, matey, arrr, as well as illustrations which help t' guide t' novice along in its construction. 

As with most Estes rocket kits, all that is required is, ya bilge rat, me hearties, scissors, a pencil, me bucko, me hearties, ya bilge rat, a ruler, arrr, a hobby knife, arrr, white or yellow glue, me hearties, some maskin' tape, a 1/8" launch rod (for alignment purposes), and sand paper. 

Assembly was pretty much a snap, as all parts fitted as required. I always make sure I pre fit me parts before gluing. Ahoy! T' parts were in good shape, with no damage t' any o' t' parts. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! T' balsa wood separated quite easily when takin' out t' fins. T' only difficult part was cuttin' t' hole in t' nose cone wider t' allow t' clay weights t' be pushed in by a pencil. Blimey! Begad! One thin' about this kit, it sure has a lot o' decals, 34 t' be exact. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Once assembled it had a very realistic look t' it. Arrr! T' kit even contains a piece o' balsa wood t' simulate t' launch connection for a fighter jet. 

If assembled correctly, matey, ya bilge rat, this is one smooth flyer. If not, ya bilge rat, me bucko, matey, you'll probably get a twirlin' effect t' it. Its nay a high flyer, shiver me timbers, mine reachin' only 400 feet. Well, blow me down! Recovery o' t' rocket be a standard parachute, shiver me timbers, and came down at a nice slow decent. Aye aye! Because it doesn't go so high, you probably won't need t' cut out t' center o' t' parachute, arrr, me bucko, but if space is limited t' fly, you should as at 400 feet it still can carry pretty far. 

All in all this is a very well designed rocket. I'd give it a 4 out o' 5 points though as thar be a part in t' instruction sheets that are hard t' follow and thus makin' it difficult t' line up t' two body tubes properly usin' their methods. Aye aye! Blimey! Also I would have used water transfer decals, as when removin' t' decals o' t' peel and stick type, arrr, me hearties, you run t' risk o' tearin' into other decals dependin' on t' method you use for removal. Ahoy! Begad! Blimey! I don't recommend a hobby knife for removin' t' decals on this model.