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

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

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

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

CONSTRUCTION:

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

Assembly is so straightforward that I don't have a whole lot t' say. Ahoy! Cut out and form t' cone and inner cone. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Cut a large circle out o' t' plastic plate. Avast, me proud beauty! Cut out t' fins, sand them and attach them t' t' motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! Install t' motor mount. Begad! 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. Begad! Aye aye! I choose nay t' do that.

There is a thrust rin' and a motor hook. Well, blow me down! 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. Art Applewhite suggests Elmer's Rubber Cement. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I used Hammer Head's Omni-Stick.

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

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

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite Rockets recommends t' B6-0 or C6-0 motors. 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! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Nay sure why t' difference.

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

After each flight, simply pull back t' motor retainer, pull out t' old motor, matey, me bucko, throw in a new, arrr, and your flyin' again before t' smoke clears t' pad from t' prior flight. Begad! 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. Ahoy! Art Applewhite Rockets has a solid niche market. Ahoy! Aye aye! These things are easy t' build and fun t' fly, any where, arrr, ya bilge rat, includin' your front or back yard!