Brief

This is a Skill Level One rocket with balsa wood fins, a single body tube, and a plastic nose cone. Begad!

Components

T' parachute is a 12-inch plastic ‘chute with an elastic shock cord.  T' fins are die-cut and were almost ready t' fall out, me bucko, cleanly cut and clear.  There is also a double-sided sheet o' instructions. Well, blow me down! T' "anchor" for t' shock cord must be cut from t' instructions, matey, ruining  any future use.  There is also one "parts change" - a set o' six white adhesive dot stickers are included which serve t' reinforce t' shroud lines tie-down points on t' ‘chute. Avast! Ahoy! Blimey! It is very clear how t' use them and why. Aye aye! [Appears t' be serious problem with mylar chute deployment...shroud lines foul alot!]

Construction

Construction went smoothly for a non-kit buildin' newbie.  Occasionally, me bucko, it wasn't quite clear how t' do something, matey, me hearties, like how t' hold t' tube when attemptin' t' glue on t' fins, but this was overcome with some effort. 

Pro: Very clear instructions t' insert t' engine mount usin' one smooth motion when gluing.  It is VERY HELPFUL t' be alerted t' this need! Blimey! Diagrams are VERY clear. Begad! Begad! Blimey! Instructions well written.

T' new white adhesive dots came with instructions t' pierce t' applied dots with a sharp pencil and then "tie a knot.” ..not clear how or what kind o' knot one should tie or WHERE.  Common sense suggested tyin' t' shroud line through t' hole and then t' itself instead o' relyin' on just a knot t' keep t' strin' from pullin' back through hole.  (This may seem simple t' experienced builders,  knowin' what's needed, matey, but a beginner may have NO idea o' t' forces involved yet.)

Con: Nay enough information on how t' fold t' ‘chute and how t' test it before packin' it away into t' tube. What type of waddin' should be inserted before t' ‘chute?  Is it best t' use "dog barf" or waddin' sheets? A line or two about powderin' t' ‘chute t' keep it from stickin' t' itself, and how t' dress t' shroud lines would be a great help. 

I believe some stressin' o' proper white glue for construction (Elmer's White Glue) should be made. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! This may be t' root o' me loosin' t' same fin over and over again.

Finishing

As t' first kit I ever built and painted, ya bilge rat, I had no idea how much or little sandin' might be needed before painting.  T' instructions clearly identify that paint (as well as engines, me hearties, launch pad, etc.) would be needed, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but nay a lot o' information is provided on where t' find t' paint, how much t' use, or what kind.  More info about finishin' would be helpful.  Obviously paint is nay included in t' kit, me hearties, but what kind and how much paint should be purchased?  How much time should you allow betwixt coats?  How many coats should you use? Etc.

I have since learned the height o' t' flight is directly proportional t' t' amount o' taperin' or featherin' on t' leadin' edge o' t' fins.  I would like this noted in t' instructions an option for preparation o' t' fins before painting.

I have nay applied any decals yet. Begad! I am awaitin' t' first successful flight before attemptin' t' decorate t' rocket for t' shelf.

Construction Score:  3

Flight

T' first flight did liftoff on t' second try, me hearties, ya bilge rat, however the ‘chute did nay open.  T' rocket had a cracked fin that did nay fall off when it landed. Blimey! That killed t' day.

I used an A8-3 engine which fit well and was clearly correct for this first rocket.  However, me bucko, I still need more info on how t' guage t' ejection charge and how t' protect t' ‘chute from it.  Our ‘chute simply failed t' open from bein' folded up in t' package too long (years?), nay relaxed, and, matey, maybe, nay packed t' best way.

T' rocket is relatively easy t' prep for flight.  Nay many steps, me hearties, but experience in packin' t' ‘chute correctly is needed and knowledge o' how much recovery waddin' is needed.

T' instructions could have used a line or two about use o' a streamer as an alternative t' t' parachute.

Recovery

No recovery materials are included in t' kit and no information on what they were or how t' get them is given.  In a rural area, we are left t' improvise.

T' rocket was nay recovered safely.  A fin broke off on first attempt and third when t' ‘chute failed t' open. Arrr! That's a real bummer for a first-time flyer.

Flight Rating: 1

Summary

For a first kit, this works acceptably.  However, ya bilge rat, thar are a few common-sense holes in t' instruction process.  T' instructions especially need t' address t' recovery wadding, ‘chute packin' and ‘chute preparation aspects.  [Some other kits (our second kit "ISIS") have superior instructions, arrr, matey, I have noted. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Blimey! I especially like their three-rin' notebook holes for instruction storage!]

Though thar be a learnin' curve t' buildin' a rocket, me hearties, shiver me timbers, this kit left a few gaps t' be bridged. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Unfortunately, judgin' wadding and gaugin' t' ‘chute packin' are critical.

Overall Rating:  4