Art Applewhite Rockets has really become t' U.F.O.-type rocket supplier. Begad! He carries various styles (saucer, matey, delta, cone, qubits) and various sizes (6", me hearties, 7.5", ya bilge rat, arrr, 9", arrr, 10.25", 12") and various patterns (smiley, matey, earth, matey, fire, ya bilge rat, tiger) and lastly motors (micromaxx, matey, mini, 18mm, ya bilge rat, 24mm, matey, arrr, me bucko, 29mm, me bucko, 38mm). If you're lookin' for a U.F.O.-type rocket, me bucko, arrr, then Art Applewhite Rockets be t' place t' start. I have t' imagine that he will be workin' on Pyramids soon, as well, me bucko, me bucko, me bucko, since they are along t' same lines.

Okay, ya bilge rat, so enough o' that, ya bilge rat, t' rocket I bought be t' 6" Flyin' Saucer that flies on 18mm motors with t' Smiley pattern. Ya scallywag! Avast! Blimey! After assembly, this rocket is ready-to-fly without any finishin' work. That is nice for winter.

T' kit includes an 18mm motor mount, 3/32" basswood fin stock, me hearties, ya bilge rat, cardstock top and core, shiver me timbers, me hearties, a 6" plastic plate, a motor hook, thrust rin' and launch lug.

Click t' see me 18mm U.F.O. Avast! Blimey! comparison article

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 4 pages o' 8½ x 11" paper, me bucko, with t' fourth page bein' t' plate cuttin' guide. Avast! Ya scallywag! There are illustrations t' ensure a successful build. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! It is a simple rocket t' build, ya bilge rat, but thar are 25 steps in t' instructions. Begad! So from this you can discern that t' instructions are thorough. Blimey! They are logical and easy t' understand. Begad! T' kit is nay rated as t' a level, however, I believe it is a skill level 2.

Assembly is so straightforward that I don't have a whole lot t' say. Aye aye! Cut out and form t' cone and inner cone. Ahoy! Cut a large circle out o' t' plastic plate. Cut out t' fins, matey, sand them and attach them t' t' motor mount. Blimey! Install t' motor mount. All done.

A few more details:

There are optional spin tabs that can be attached t' t' fins t' cause t' rocket t' spin goin' up and down. Well, blow me down! I choose nay t' do that.

There is a thrust rin' and a motor hook. Begad! Blimey! T' motor hook is held t' t' motor tube with a piece o' cardstock.

Buildin' should be done with white glue with t' exception o' attachin' t' plate t' t' cone. Ahoy! Blimey! Art Applewhite suggests Elmer's Rubber Cement. Ahoy! I used Hammer Head's Omni-Stick.

Once complete, Art Applewhite suggests clear-coatin' t' Saucer, ya bilge rat, but I didn't.

Overall, arrr, shiver me timbers, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Begad! Can't get any easier.... Ya scallywag! well, ya bilge rat, I guess t' parts could be pre-cut, but come on, arrr, we need some challenge. Blimey! Although, me hearties, matey, maybe Art should consider sellin' some Ready-to-Fly kits!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite Rockets recommends t' B6-0 or C6-0 motors. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! They also recommend supportin' t' rocket at least 6" up t' launch rod t' avoid heat damage.

My finished Saucer weighed in at 0.8 ounces as opposed t' Art Applewhite printed material suggestin' 0.5 ounces. Ahoy! Nay sure why t' difference.

I have flown t' rocket three times, all on C6-0's and all in me front yard. Arrr! T' rocket is fun. Blimey! It flies straight up (at least with no wind) and then flips and descends. Begad! I would say is "floats" down as it is rockin' back-and-forth slightly upon t' entire descent.

After each flight, ya bilge rat, simply pull back t' motor retainer, shiver me timbers, pull out t' old motor, matey, throw in a new, me hearties, and your flyin' again before t' smoke clears t' pad from t' prior flight. Fast and simple.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 5 points. It is a perfect Flyin' Saucer and t' motor retainer and all makes is simple and fast.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 5 points. Art Applewhite Rockets has a solid niche market. These things are easy t' build and fun t' fly, any where, me hearties, includin' your front or back yard!