Brief: Scale model o' t' Hellfire AGM. Flies on D-F engines. Recovery by a mylar parachute. Blimey! Very sturdy model.

Construction: T' kit arrived intact, arrr, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and all parts were present, and in great condition. Blimey! T' parts consisted o' a main paper body tube, ya bilge rat, plastic nose cone, ya bilge rat, plenty o' 3/32" balsa, pre-cut centerin' rings, matey, launch lug, templates for t' fins, and supplies for t' mylar parachute, matey, and shock cord.

T' instructions were very easy t' follow, shiver me timbers, with good illustrations. T' assembly order was very logical. Ahoy! Templates were provided for t' fins and tail cone. Arrr! No decals are provided for this kit.

T' assembly was very straight forward, arrr, with no surprises. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Fins have t' be cut out usin' t' templates. Begad! T' only concern be thar be no mention o' where t' place t' launch lug. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! After contactin' T' Launch Pad, me hearties, they explained it be left t' t' modelers discretion where t' place t' launch lug. (see Special Note below) All t' parts fit together very well, arrr, t' provide a very sturdy and attractive kit.

Makin' paper tail cone be nay as hard as I thought it would be. Instructions mention great advise on makin' paper stronger.

T' Mylar parachute was pre-cut, and assembly was easy. Shock cord is standard, shiver me timbers, mounted inside t' body tube.

Pros: Easy and fun t' build, matey, ya bilge rat, no special tools needed.

Cons: None!

Finishing: T' fins are long and narrow, and are easy t' seal No problems with primin' and painting.

Although thar are no decals, shiver me timbers, me bucko, shiver me timbers, t' instructions explain t' markings, makin' it easy t' make your own. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' basic color o' t' rocket is olive drab, with either a black or white nose tip. Begad! Aye aye! Paintin' t' tip may be tricky, me bucko, but it doesn't reflect on t' kit.

Pros: Easy rocket t' finish and paint.

Cons: No decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight: I finally got out t' launch me Hellfire AGM. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Here are t' results:

On t' first flight (D12-5) t' rocket lifted off slowly, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and then t' tail began t' wobble. Arrr! Eventually, me hearties, arrr, t' rocket appeared lean over and fly on its side. Well, me hearties, blow me down! It gave t' impression that t' nose was much too heavy.

On t' second flight (E15-7), t' rocket took off, me hearties, me bucko, arced over and crashed at full thrust. Ahoy! Blimey! Left a big crater too! Blimey! Destroyed t' rocket.

There are 3 problems I found, matey, all o' which are me fault:

Too much nose weight. Accordin' t' Chuck at TLP, t' nose weight should be 32 grams. Well, blow me down! T' clay that was supplied with t' kit was dry, arrr, ya bilge rat, so I substituted it with me own. Begad! Avast! T' nose weight is mentioned in t' instructions, arrr, and it is needed t' have stable flights. Well, blow me down! Avast! I didn't weigh t' supplied nose weight, and t' actual amount o' weight I put in t' nose

Mis-aligned guidance fins. I attached t' guidance fins accordin' t' t' instructions. Ahoy! Arrr! I checked t' alignment with t' aft fins and I used a common fin markin' guide. Aye aye! I marked lines t' full length o' t' body where t' forward and aft fins are t' be attached. Begad! After inquirin' t' Chuck, ya bilge rat, he said t' this was t' most unlikely cause o' t' rocket accident. Blimey! T' fins were nay noticeably mis-aligned, but I thought o' every possibility.

Too much wind t' launch. T' wind conditions on t' launch day was betwixt 15 and 20+ MPH. Begad! Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! Other rockets flown that day were slightly affected by t' weather. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Larger rockets (Initiator, Mirage) displayed more effects due t' t' wind than t' smaller ones (Big Dawg, Yellow Jacket). Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! T' launch rod was angled betwixt 15 and 20 degrees from vertical.

I would conclude that t' rockets demise was due t' me impatience in construction (nose weight), and launchin' when t' wind conditions were too strong for this specific rocket. I will take me time with me next Hellfire.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary: This rocket is extremely fun and easy t' build. Ahoy! It is one o' t' most attractive in me fleet. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! This rocket is great addition t' any fleet.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5