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

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

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

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

CONSTRUCTION:

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

Assembly is so straightforward that I don't have a whole lot t' say. Well, blow me down! Cut out and form t' cone and inner cone. Cut a large circle out o' t' plastic plate. Cut out t' fins, sand them and attach them t' t' motor mount. Begad! Arrr! Install t' motor mount. Ya scallywag! 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. I choose nay t' do that.

There is a thrust rin' and a motor hook. Avast! 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. Avast! Art Applewhite suggests Elmer's Rubber Cement. Begad! I used Hammer Head's Omni-Stick.

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

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

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

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

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

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