Brief:
This kit is part o' Estes "E2X" series o' kits which are easy t' assemble 'almost ready t' fly' types. Arrr! T' Mach 12 comes with pre-colored body parts, and needs only plastic cement t' build. It comes with an 18" parachute.

Construction:
This kit is BT-55 based, arrr, and come w/ a body tube in two sections which are joined via a plastic coupler which has an integrated launch lug. Well, blow me down! T' nose cone is plastic, shiver me timbers, and was t' best I'd ever seen from Estes. Ya scallywag! Nay one imperfection or any bit o' flashing.

Two interestin' things about this kit -- t' motor mount & t' fins. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' mount is simply a plastic tube glued together, ya bilge rat, which also serves as t' fin can. Aye aye! Arrr! Motor retention is done via a screw on plastic tail piece. T' kit comes with 3 sets o' 4 fins which allow for up t' 12 different fin configurations, so says t' box. Arrr! T' fins can be easily changed, ya bilge rat, and fit nicely into slots on t' fin can. Ahoy! Avast! T' parachute was 18", shiver me timbers, and I have opted t' use a 12" in its place. Arrr! This is a light kit, matey, arrr, me bucko, and any wind would blow it away in no time. Avast! t' shock cord was too small.

This kit be t' easiest Estes kit I've ever assembled. Avast, me proud beauty! T' instruction are clear, matey, and leave no room for questions. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! It doesn't take much t' finish this off. Ahoy! I did use a length o' Keelhaul®©™thread as a shock cord anchor, but otherwise I build it stock. Well, blow me down! T' decals are self adhesive, me bucko, and look good. Arrr! As stated above, I swapped out t' 18" chute for a 12".

T' only thin' I didn't like about this be t' plastic-to-paper joints. Begad! They don't inspire much confidence, me bucko, although they did hold together for t' 2 flights it has had.

Finishing:
PROS: no finishin' required, since all parts are pre-colored. Ahoy! Can't say t' black/yellow/orange scheme be t' best I could think of, shiver me timbers, me hearties, but it will be hard t' lose in green grass :). Aye aye! Decals go on easily

CONS: none, really. Ya scallywag! There be nothin' t' go wrong with it.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I've flown it twice, arrr, both times on B6-4's since that be all I had kickin' around. Avast, me proud beauty! Nice straight flights each time, w/ nice recovery. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! T' 12" chute works fine. I used t' same fins on each flight, but may experiment in t' future. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! On a C6, shiver me timbers, this kit would go nicely. Blimey! No damage on either flight.

Recovery:
T' 12" chute is sufficient for this kit. Blimey! I'd keep t' 18" for some other kit that needs it.

T' Keelhaul®©™thread used as an anchor is now standard procedure for all me kits, shiver me timbers, me bucko, and I've nay had a burn through failure yet.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
If you are lookin' for a real easy t' assemble, fun kit and want t' fly it soon, shiver me timbers, this is your baby. Begad! I bought it since it on sale for $4, and me visitin' nephew would probably like t' see it fly. Its a great kit t' have for when you want t' fly a small, me hearties, but interestin' rocket.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5