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

Okay, arrr, so enough o' that, me hearties, me bucko, t' rocket I bought was t' 6" Flyin' Saucer that flies on 18mm motors with t' Smiley pattern. Ahoy! After assembly, this rocket is ready-to-fly without any finishin' work. Avast, me proud beauty! That is nice for winter.

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

Click t' see me 18mm U.F.O. Well, blow me down! comparison article

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 4 pages o' 8½ x 11" paper, shiver me timbers, with t' fourth page bein' t' plate cuttin' guide. Aye aye! Avast! There are illustrations t' ensure a successful build. It is a simple rocket t' build, ya bilge rat, but thar are 25 steps in t' instructions. So from this you can discern that t' instructions are thorough. Avast! Begad! They are logical and easy t' understand. 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. Cut out and form t' cone and inner cone. Ahoy! Blimey! Cut a large circle out o' t' plastic plate. Begad! Blimey! Cut out t' fins, sand them and attach them t' t' motor mount. Begad! 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. Ahoy! I choose nay t' do that.

There is a thrust rin' and a motor hook. 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. I used Hammer Head's Omni-Stick.

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

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

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite Rockets recommends t' B6-0 or C6-0 motors. 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. Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Nay sure why t' difference.

I have flown t' rocket three times, all on C6-0's and all in me front yard. Begad! T' rocket is fun. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, simply pull back t' motor retainer, pull out t' old motor, throw in a new, 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. Aye aye! Art Applewhite Rockets has a solid niche market. Aye aye! These things are easy t' build and fun t' fly, any where, ya bilge rat, includin' your front or back yard!