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

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

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

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

Finishing:
I finished t' tubes, matey, me bucko, fins, and nose cone with two coats o' Elmer's Wood Filler. Begad! Ahoy! T' fins began t' warp each time while applyin' t' filler. Blimey! Begad! I kept them straight by pressin' betwixt glass plate and books. Ya scallywag!

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. Ya scallywag!

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

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' first flight be great even though only 3 motors lit. Begad! It flew at a slight angle after leavin' t' pad but otherwise had a straight flight.

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: I love t' design. Avast! T' four canted motors along with t' overall shape make this stand out. Well, blow me down! T' parts are very good quality.

CONs: My main gripe be t' instructions. Arrr! Aye aye! I think they could have been presented better. Also, matey, me bucko, me bucko, t' parachute shroud lines seemed a little long.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5