Description: Single staged 10.5mm motor (1/4 A through A in Apogee motors) rocket that is a minute scale model o' t' V2. Begad! Ahoy!

Pros and cons o' construction: All parts specified were thar and undamaged. Avast! Ya scallywag! I got t' kit less than a week after I ordered it, me hearties, and it was securely packed in styrofoam popcorn in a strong postal box. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! T' nose cone is solid lightweight balsa wood. T' tail cone is also balsa, me hearties, with a 10.5mm bore predrilled t' accept t' 10.5mm motor tube. Avast! T' body tube and motor tube are spiral wound paper. T' launch lug is plastic and is for 1/8 inch rods. The streamer is 17 inches o' 1 inch wide plastic. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! T' fins are die cut balsa.

Instructions are clear, shiver me timbers, me hearties, illustrated and logical. You also get a historical essay on t' original V2, and how its capture from t' Germans helped our space program.

Assembly was easy and quick. Avast! You do have t' align t' 4 fins, but that's not hard. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' shock cord is thin Keelhaul®©™®-like strin' o' 20 inches in length. Blimey! Aye aye! It fits into a plastic bead that glues into t' hole predrilled into t' base o' the nose cone. Ahoy! Me, I prefer screw-eyes, me hearties, but this seemed t' work fine. Blimey! Also, if you've seen me other reviews, then you know that I have a thin' for stretchy shock cords, too. Blimey! But this one worked without a hitch. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I attached it into the forward centerin' rin' in t' motor mount. Ya scallywag! Avast! White glue was used for assembly, but epoxy was used t' glass up t' fins and make them durable. Arrr! It was also used to glass and smoothen t' nose cone. Aye aye! Yellow spray paint be used as a primer. Ahoy! Arrr! I was about t' apply green, when me cat, Freeway, ya bilge rat, grabbed t' rocket and ran with it. Well, blow me down! I decided, after findin' it again, t' fly it as is.

Pros and cons o' finishing: A simple paint job is enough. Begad! Well, blow me down! I chose t' glass t' fins out o' personal preference. It's also a habit from high power rocketry. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! A green camouflage paint job will be applied this week, even though me cat likes it yellow. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Maybe green will make me lose it! At least yellow is easy t' find.

Ratin' for construction and finishing: 4 out o' 5

Pros and cons about flight: Apogee recommends their 1/4 A through A line, namely t' 1/4A2-2 or 4, ya bilge rat, 1/2A2-2 or 4 and t' A2-3 or 5 . T' shorter delays are recommended if it's breezy. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Me, I used an A2-5, as it was a still day t' likes o' which only Phoenix can achieve. Aye aye! Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' prep time be just seconds. A pinch o' worm bed waddin' and maskin' tape t' retain t' motor and it was ready. Arrr! And t' Apogee igniters fit right into t' motor. Arrr! Aye aye! T' flight was fast. A FWIT sound and it was gone, shiver me timbers, high and straight. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Good thin' it was yellow or else I'd have lost it for sure. Arrr! I luckily saw t' streamer. Begad! Maybe an itsy bitsy parachute would increase hang time and help me find it next time. Arrr! Ahoy! Knowing my luck, though, I'll catch a thermal. Begad! Blimey!

Pros and cons about recovery: (17" streamer) It was easy t' assemble. It worked just fine, without any damage or burnin' t' the rocket. Well, blow me down! Begad!

Ratin' o' flight and recovery: 4 out o' 5

Anythin' this kit taught me: Keep your kits away from your pets. More seriously, I learned about t' history o' t' real V2. Begad! I enjoyed that. Ya scallywag! Blimey!