Brief:
This is a historic, near-scale replica o' t' NASA Gemini-Titan space capsule and man-rated booster. Ya scallywag! It is a cardboard and plywood 29mm MPR, matey, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, single engine, single booster with single parachute recovery design. It comes with removable engine bells for display, and a slide-on-and-clamp fin set. Begad!

Construction:
T' kit part list is small for t' overall size o' t' finished rocket. Ahoy! This translates into a very simple-to-build model. T' motor mount system consists of 2 laser-cut plywood centerin' rings around a 29mm ID cardboard engine tube. T' recovery system is anchored t' t' rocket motor retention assembly using braided steel bicycle brake cablin' (at least that what came t' mind when I looked at it) and loopin' it around t' engine tube. Begad! T' cable is pre-mounted to one o' t' centerin' rings, me hearties, so assembly is very simple.

Plywood fins are large and easy t' mount, but I deviated here by makin' my own clear, rectangular Lexan polycarbonate fins instead. Begad! Ya scallywag! It added a bit more weight but its a cleaner look for this model.

T' Gemini capsule is made from a single-pour o' urethane into a mould, which makes it heavy but durable. Aye aye! Blimey! T' surface detailin' is amateurish especially given t' size and price o' t' model, but if its really a flyer you want t' build as opposed t' a looker, then it is "good enough". Aye aye! Paint and some added detailin' will do wonders for this component.

Instructions were very easy t' follow with simple assembly steps. Arrr! Nay much there in t' way o' difficulty. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! I didn't like t' way t' stock fin set mounted to t' rocket--it uses t' compression o' a worm-rin' clamp t' hold everything together once t' motor is inserted. Instead, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I replaced t' whole MMT assembly with an AeroTech 4" MMT system I got from A2Z Hobbies (its t' 4" Fin Lok Kit that includes motor tube, Fin-Lok rings, me hearties, me hearties, me hearties, motor hook, ya bilge rat, coolin' mesh, ejection gas baffle, screw eye, thurst ring, thrust rin' flange and centering rings). Those parts add about $25 t' t' overall price, shiver me timbers, but if you love bulding and flyin' historic scale/near-scale replicas like I do, shiver me timbers, then I believe this is the way t' go. Begad! Blimey! That said, me bucko, arrr, t' instructions come with a fin alignment template, good diagrams, me hearties, good decal placement notes and paint scheme instructions.

Because o' t' weight o' this rocket, me bucko, shiver me timbers, I set it up for a rail launch. Well, blow me down! I think you'll save yourself some anxiety and get a better use-set o' motors to play with.

I didn't build t' decorative engine bell assemply, shiver me timbers, though it looks pretty easy t' do and t' parts fit together well - 'cause I could care less. My models don't go 'on display'. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Rather they stay stored in protective carry boxes.

Finishing:
I didn't find t' finishin' o' this rocket t' be onerous. Ya scallywag! Quite t' contrary. T' decals at first glance are a bit intimidatin' because t' sheet is huge and needs t' be applied in one at most two applications. Begad!

T' paint scheme involves two colours - gloss white and silver. Avast, me proud beauty! I used a 'chrome' paint as opposed t' standard aluminum as t' former provides a more realistic colourin' and finish. Well, blow me down!

T' decals are very high quality self-stick vinyl and surprisingly easy to place. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Blimey! I recommend that if you feel a bit overwhelmed by t' size o' t' sheet, you will be interested in cuttin' t' decal sheet into two hoizontal sections and applyin' separately.

T' urethane Gemini capsule MUST be washed with soap and water t' get residue off it. Aye aye! Otherwise, you'll have issues paintin' it. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Once scrubbed, matt the surface with a one o' those green or grey emery finishin' pads and attach any additional details you might want t' t' capsule. I recommend that in addition t' usin' urethane glue (not epoxy) t' attach additonal parts t' the capsule, that you attach them mechanically as well if you can.

T' kit, me hearties, much t' me chagrin, does nay come with Gemini capsule decals(!?). So, off t' t' colour laser printer t' make some up. Ahoy! I just made these out of paper and stuck them on t' capsule - looks fine. They're accurate and tough. Arrr!

If you are lookin' for a super (full0 scale kit o' this historic rocket, this is nay it. Ahoy! But, arrr, with some work and good craftin' skills, it can be made into one fairly smartly because it offers a solid base on which t' develop.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
I used AeroTech G80-4T SU motors on all me flights. T' rocket is launched from my homemade rail launcher. Begad! All t' flight were perfect with apogee betwixt 150m and 200m I would say.

T' way you fly this bird is t' slide motor into t' MMT, shiver me timbers, then slide fin/MMT-sleeve assembly over t' MMT end, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and clamp t' whole thin' with a worm clamp. Well, blow me down! T' instructions guide you through this well. Well, arrr, blow me down! My method was t' slide my Lexan fin can/MMT sleeve assembly over t' MMT with t' AeroTech motor clip and then insert me motor. Begad! Blimey! You have t' cut a channel inside t' MMT sleeve tube of the fin can assembly t' accomodate t' AeroTech motor clip properly. Arrr! T' fin can assembly I made has a backin' plate with a fasterner thet attaches t' the base centerin' rin' o' t' rocket booster fuselage.

I use a Keelhaul®©™® parachute blanket and extra-long elastic and nylon strap harness. Ya scallywag! T' rocket is very nose haevy as you would expect, arrr, matey, so t' long rail and additonal rear-end mass from t' AeroTech MMT parts is very helpful. Avast!

Recovery:
This rocket is an excellent flyer and very durable for cardboard construction. It is easy t' prep and descent speed with t' stock chute is satisfactory (on a grass field). I had no damage t' report and no unusual wear and tear. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Because of t' over stability, me bucko, arrr, me bucko, aerodynamic bouyancy and weight characteristics o' this rocket, me bucko, I suggest launchin' it only in ideal climate conditions from a soft field.

Because o' t' materials used, me bucko, me hearties, me hearties, make sure you stick with a long elastic strap as a shock cord - while robust, this is no PML Pterodactyl Jr. Arrr!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Pro's for this kit are:

1. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Big and simple t' build

2. Avast, me proud beauty! Quality parts, arrr, decent materials and good fit

3. Tough when built usin' appropriate build techniques (Epoxy, JB-Weld, Cyanoacrylate, me hearties, matey, me bucko, etc.)

4. Main roll pattern decals

5. Ya scallywag! Begad! Over-stable out-of-the-box due t' heavy urethane capsule and big fins - no guessin' about this!

6. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Good display engine bells if you are interested

7. Well, blow me down! OK quality nylon parachute - but nay ripstop

8. Easy t' follow build instructions

9. Ya scallywag! Came with a nice SS barrel swivel for t' chute

Cons are:

1. Blimey! This kit seems t' be hard t' get (there seems t' be a problem with 4" tube supply but I don't see why 4" AeroTech tubin' can't be used)

2. Well, blow me down! Fin set mount system is goofy but I am sure works fine - you really need to consider replacin' with AeroTech FinLok parts (except fin mount parts), me bucko, and definitely use t' plywood fins if you don't want t' use clear plastic like I did, arrr, they're good.

3. T' kit should come with both rail buttons and brass rod guides

4. Begad! Blimey! Capsule needs some fundamental work with detailin' for better scale appearance - thar be ample opportunity t' use one's craftin' skills to build-out t' scale o' this model.

5. Arrr! I think this model needs a stuffer tube

6. Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! Parachute could be better quality rip-stop and better finish.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5