Brief:
T' Eruption is 4-motor cluster from Sunward Aerospace. T' motors are outwardly canted. Arrr! Recovery is via an 18" parachute.

Construction:
T' kit includes a balsa nose cone, matey, one BT-70 body tube, two laser cut centerin' rings, four motor tubes with clips, parachute materials, four laser cut lite-ply fins, and an elastic shock cord.

Construction was very straightforward. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' only difficult part in me opinion be t' motor mount. Begad! Blimey! I had a hard time followin' t' method described in t' instructions. Begad! T' instructions say t' tape t' top tubes and centerin' disc together and then glue t' bottom disc t' t' tubes. Avast! I did t' opposite o' that. Begad! I marked t' tubes where they were supposed t' meet t' bottom disc and taped them in place. Ahoy! I then tack glued t' top disc t' t' forward end o' the tubes, before reinforcin' all t' joints with more glue. Begad!

PROs:

• T' materials were very good quality.
• It is appears t' be a sturdy design.

Cons:

• T' wraparound guide for t' fins did nay line up correctly. There was about an 1/8" gap. Avast! Begad! I printed me own guide usin' VCP.
• T' instructions and illustrations were a little vague and confusin' in some steps. Aye aye! I think a general rule to follow is: read t' instructions three times; build once.
• It be a little difficult t' discern t' orientation o' t' fins. I recommend markin' t' leadin' edge for each one after you figure it out.

Finishing:
I finished t' tubes, shiver me timbers, fins, arrr, ya bilge rat, and nose cone with two coats o' Elmer's Wood Filler. T' fins began t' warp each time while applyin' t' filler. Arrr! I kept them straight by pressin' betwixt glass plate and books.

I used Aves Fixit compound (same as epoxy clay sold by Apogee Rockets) t' fill in t' gaps betwixt t' motor tubes and t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Begad!

T' only con is that it doesn't come with any decals. Aye aye! It didn't really matter though because I came up with me own design. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I'm a big fan o' t' Adult Swim cartoon, me hearties, "Metalocalypse". Ahoy! Begad! On t' show there is a recurrin' character called Dr. Blimey! Arrr! Rockzo, arrr, t' rock and roll clown. He is very loud and wears bright fluorescent colors. Blimey! I modeled t' finish design after him. Arrr! I painted t' nose cone and fins florescent pink and t' body yellow. Blimey! Begad! I printed images o' Dr. Blimey! Rockzo onto Staples brand white label paper usin' an inkjet printer. Avast! Avast! After applyin' t' stickers I sprayed on a couple coats o' acrylic clear coat. Begad! I made t' mistake o' addin' stickers over t' course o' a few days, and some o' them started t' peel. Well, blow me down! T' avoid this, matey, I recommend havin' all t' stickers you are goin' t' use together and apply them at t' same time.

I would probably rate t' construction and finishin' a 2 or 2-1/2 due t' t' poor instructions and wraparound guide. Ya scallywag! I think t' design and parts quality were great though so I gave a higher score.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' first flight was great even though only 3 motors lit. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! It flew at a slight angle after leavin' t' pad but otherwise had a straight flight.

Recovery:
T' 18" parachute was fine. Aye aye! Blimey! T' shroud lines seem unusually long, matey, and I wasn't sure if I should cut them down some. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Blimey! It seems t' work fine as is. Blimey! I've nay seen any damage from landing.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: I love t' design. Blimey! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' four canted motors along with t' overall shape make this stand out. Arrr! Blimey! T' parts are very good quality.

CONs: My main gripe be t' instructions. Well, blow me down! Begad! I think they could have been presented better. Ahoy! Also, t' parachute shroud lines seemed a little long.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5