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

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

T' instructions were very easy t' follow, arrr, with good illustrations. T' assembly order be very logical. Blimey! Templates were provided for t' fins and tail cone. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! No decals are provided for this kit.

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

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

T' Mylar parachute was pre-cut, arrr, and assembly was easy. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Shock cord is standard, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, mounted inside t' body tube.

Pros: Easy and fun t' build, me bucko, 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, t' instructions explain t' markings, makin' it easy t' make your own. T' basic color o' t' rocket is olive drab, with either a black or white nose tip. Avast! Paintin' t' tip may be tricky, shiver me timbers, 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. Arrr! Here are t' results:

On t' first flight (D12-5) t' rocket lifted off slowly, and then t' tail began t' wobble. Well, blow me down! Eventually, ya bilge rat, t' rocket appeared lean over and fly on its side. Blimey! Aye aye! It gave t' impression that t' nose was much too heavy.

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

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

Too much nose weight. Accordin' t' Chuck at TLP, t' nose weight should be 32 grams. Avast! T' clay that was supplied with t' kit be dry, me bucko, me bucko, so I substituted it with me own. T' nose weight is mentioned in t' instructions, and it is needed t' have stable flights. Blimey! Aye aye! I didn't weigh t' supplied nose weight, me bucko, and t' actual amount o' weight I put in t' nose

Mis-aligned guidance fins. I attached t' guidance fins accordin' t' t' instructions. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I checked t' alignment with t' aft fins and I used a common fin markin' guide. Avast! Blimey! I marked lines t' full length o' t' body where t' forward and aft fins are t' be attached. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! After inquirin' t' Chuck, shiver me timbers, he said t' this was t' most unlikely cause o' t' rocket accident. Begad! 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. Other rockets flown that day were slightly affected by t' weather. Avast, me proud beauty! Larger rockets (Initiator, Mirage) displayed more effects due t' t' wind than t' smaller ones (Big Dawg, me hearties, me hearties, Yellow Jacket). Begad! Arrr! T' launch rod be angled betwixt 15 and 20 degrees from vertical.

I would conclude that t' rockets demise was due t' me impatience in construction (nose weight), ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and launchin' when t' wind conditions were too strong for this specific rocket. Avast! 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. Blimey! Ya scallywag! It is one o' t' most attractive in me fleet. Well, blow me down! This rocket is great addition t' any fleet.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5