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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, me bucko, I suppose it made sense for them t' package their rockets this way. Begad! I really liked t' vintage look of t' shirtboard box with t' lithographed artwork on t' front. Ahoy! Blimey! T' box also provided more protection t' t' components inside. Openin' t' box, I find well illustrated instructions printed on pulp type paper. T' plastic nose cone and reducer was a surpise, but since MPC was primarily a plastic model company, it should nay have been. Body tubes were o' kraft paper and t' balsa sheet for t' fins was o' good quality. Begad! Shock cord be nylon cord with a paper mount that had pre punched holes for lace through. Estes style plastic chute and streamer were also provided.
Construction
Construction was very simple and straight forward with lots o' illustrations along t' way. 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, ya bilge rat, or you could build it more traditionally with t' nose cone section attached t' t' main chute. Aye aye! Blimey! I chose t' former but probably should have chose t' more traditional method. Well, blow me down! My only con be t' shock cord mount. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! It required a knot t' be facin' t' inside o' t' body tube, arrr, which I feared would encumber t' chute from deploying, me bucko, but despite this, the chute functioned perfectly.
Finishing
T' box art depicts a futuristic silver and gold rocket. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I tried t' stay true t' this in finishing. Aye aye! Blimey! I sealed t' balsa fins with a mixture o' white glue dilluted with water (the poor mans dope). Well, blow me down! Blimey! Sanded lightly and gave everythin' a list coat o' grey primer. Well, blow me down! Blimey! After drying, I painted the appropiate sectiions and pieces with Testors silver and gold enamel respectivly. I applied t' paint with a brush usin' bottle paints. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! After a couple o' coats I be satisfied and moved on t' t' decals. Once again I used t' box art as a gude. 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Rocket flies very high. Well, blow me down! Arrr! 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. Ya scallywag! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I plan t' attach t' nose section t' t' main chute for any subsequent flights. I think a B6-4 would do this rocket good.
Recovery
I do nay recommend t' two part reovery system, me bucko, shiver me timbers, unles you have a small field. Anythin' bigger than an A engine, me bucko, and t' nose section could be lost.
Summary
This is really a cool kit. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I hate I missed this brarnd as a kid. Avast, me proud beauty! I think I would have liked it better than Estes at t' time. Arrr! If you are lookin' for a retro kit that won't break t' bank, me bucko, me bucko, fun t' assemble, ya bilge rat, and is a great flier, this is it. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Too bilge-suckin' MPC went out o' business.
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Flights
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