Brief:
This be t' Launch Pad's scale Sidewinder AIM-9L missile model. This is a mid-power rocket with a parachute recovery. Avast! Well, blow me down!

Construction:
This kit comes with balsa planks, two body tubes, shiver me timbers, a plastic nose-cone, ya bilge rat, me bucko, centerin' rings, me bucko, and all other standard kit pieces. Aye aye! It also comes with putty for nose-cone weight. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' shock cord was simple elastic, arrr, which be a bit inadequate for this great model. Aye aye! There are also lots o' other small balsa shapes, and dowels for t' construction.

I found t' kit straight forward, and this was me first non-Estes rocket. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! And, I wont work on anythin' less challengin' again! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' instructions are lengthy, but when followed carefully will make for an enjoyable project. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I followed other reviewer's tips. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! When I built t' stringers for each side o' t' fin, matey, I put them on at an angle and drilled holes for more realism.

I read that t' balsa supplied from TLP is soft, and followed their advice o' coatin' with CA. Aye aye! Still, after launching, this is still too soft and I have had some fin damage. I will repair usin' paper over t' balsa, shiver me timbers, then coatin' for CA, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, arrr, and see if that holds. Ahoy! I do think t' forward fins need some reinforcement.

All in all, construction was straight forward. Lots o' small details make this fun. Note: I have nay modeled since I was a kid, and did nay find this too challenging.

Finishing:

As with all TLP models, no decals, but that is ok. Aye aye! I painted usin' simple primer coats, me hearties, and testors spray paint. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! See pictures for t' finish. Avast! I also looked at as many pics as I could find and found a few small details like paintin' t' forward guidance pivots red. Well, blow me down! I love t' way t' model looks and I have received lots o' compliments.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Flew this model only once so far. Aye aye! Launched in a slight wind in San Francisco at t' base o' t' Golden Gate Bridge. Used t' recommended D12-3 motor. Used small amount o' wadding.

Fox 2! Weathercocked only slightly. Begad! Flew beautifully and straight. Ya scallywag! Chute deployed at apogee. Avast, me proud beauty! Chute got tangled on forward fin, but had some resistance on decent.

Recovery:
I increased t' length o' t' shock cord, with a round, ya bilge rat, black piece o' elastic. Love t' look and functionality. Arrr! However, matey, ya bilge rat, as mentioned, t' chute got tangled somehow. Avast! Blimey! T' first ever recovery malfunction I have had with any rocket I own. Arrr! Ahoy! Consequently, ya bilge rat, I had some slight fin damage on t' forward fins.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I love this rocket. It was fun t' build, me bucko, and t' fly. Begad! Blimey! It be t' best looker in me arsenal o' democracy. Arrr! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! I love this company and their kits and have built more and will continue t' do so.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
I would reinforce t' forward fins. Might even try and find some light plywood. Avast! Well, blow me down! Blimey! At t' very least, me bucko, me hearties, I might try t' technique o' overlayin' tissue or 20 lb paper and CA that over t' balsa. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Other than that, matey, would nay change a thing.