Brief:  This is a minimum diameter, single staged rocket with forward swept fins, designed t' break mach usin' Aerotech 18mm D and E engines. Ya scallywag!

Construction:Everythin' be there, nothin' damaged. Well, blow me down! Well, matey, blow me down!   T' fins are 1/8 inch thick precut plywood. Begad! T' body tube is spiral wound paper. Arrr! I had the option o' gettin' fiberglass parts all around, but chose paper for lower cost. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' launch lug is also spiral wound paper, and is 1/8 inch diameter. Avast! The nose cone is ogive, me bucko, solid machined balsa. Begad! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' streamer is metallic mylar, arrr, blue on one side, shiver me timbers, and silver on t' other, and it is 48 inches long by 1 inch wide. Ahoy! Avast!

T' instructions were illustrated and very clear and simple. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' model was simple t' construct. T' only gotcha is t' put t' fins in a forward swept position. Begad! Mathematically, shiver me timbers, you might think that this would increase drag, but maybe nay so at t' speeds this little rocket can attain.

Finishing:There are numerous red decals that I applied over an orange spray painted surface. Well, blow me down! They are t' type that easily peels off when soaked in water, shiver me timbers, and they went on smoothly. I used epoxy for the fin attachment since it was an on-the-tube attachment and I wanted strength. Ahoy! Blimey! I also made fillets all around. Blimey! I also made fillets all around. Blimey! I also applied epoxy over t' entire fins t' glass them, and t' result was a hard, smooth finish. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! T' model looked sharp. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:T' recommended motors are t' Aerotech 18mm D and E group. I used t' E25-10. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I used t' E25-10. Blimey! Begad! It was easy t' prep, except that the streamer needs t' be meticulously wound or else it does nay fit into t' body easily. Blimey! Aye aye! Worm beddin' waddin' was used, me hearties, and t' motor was retained usin' tape. T' model nay only flew straight, it made a loud pop as it practically teleported off t' pad. Arrr! Begad! It left so fast that attempts t' photograph it created only a shot o' an empty pad!

Recovery:T' recovery system worked fine, although I did nay know this until two months later, which I'll explain soon. Begad! T' shock cord is 3 feet of black 1/8 inch wide flat elastic attached t' t' inside wall o' t' body tube via a small loop o' Keelhaul®©™® cord which I provided and a folded paper mounting. Well, blow me down!

I provided t' Keelhaul®©™® cord as a carryover habit from higher power, ya bilge rat, matey, as Keelhaul®©™® can take heat better than elastic can, and since that end o' t' shock cord system is closer t' engine fumes, shiver me timbers, me bucko, matey, I wanted it flameproof. Avast!   Also, ya bilge rat, epoxied elastic becomes brittle, me bucko, me hearties, so I don't directly adhere it t' t' shock mount any more.

Nobody saw where t' model went, me bucko, except t' say, me bucko, me hearties, "Damn high. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! "So I gave it up for lost after a two-hour search in t' searin' desert heat and bought another. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Two months later, me hearties, it be found in flyable condition!!!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:Sturdy, me bucko, can survive extreme sun and some rain.   very fast mover. About t' only thin' I'd change is t' make it a parachute t' give me a chance t' spot it better. Ahoy! Maybe it'd drift a mile, but part o' t' fun is gettin' models back. Avast! Arrr!

I recommend this one for you altitude and speed buffs.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5