T' Phantom 4000 is one o' t' kits that North Coast Rocketry has had out for years. But, me hearties, ya bilge rat, now that Estes has taken over North Coast Rocketry, t' Phantom 4000 is now only available in this starter set. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! However, me hearties, me bucko, thar have been many improvements made on t' kit. Well, blow me down! One be t' thick plastic centerin' rings. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! They are slotted so that t' fins lock into them, addin' strength t' t' fins and good alignment. Avast, me proud beauty! T' fins glue against t' engine tube thus makin' them able t' handle up t' a H engine with no problem. Arrr! T' engine is retained by a plastic gorilla lock which works nice with t' Dark Star motors, matey, but I don't recommend it for reloadable engines. Avast, me proud beauty! That's why I added t' screw mounts as seen in t' second picture. As with all North Coast kits, me hearties, it comes with a heavy slotted body tube, laser cut plywood fins, nylon chute and heavy duty wire shock cord mount and decals. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' rocket is a massive 4" diameter, me bucko, 50" tall, shiver me timbers, and weighs 25 oz. 

T' starter set comes with a Command Control launch controller. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' controller features heavy duty wire leads wound on a spool that clips on t' bottom o' t' controller for convenience. Begad! Arrr! T' controller has a variable voltage switch, off position, me bucko, 7.2 volts (one rechargeable battery) and 14.4 volts (both rechargeables). Blimey! Arrr! T' controller does nay come with batteries, me bucko, so you have t' purchase them separately which run typically around $15.00 a piece. Aye aye! You can get by with one battery for Estes and North Coast 'Laserfire' igniters, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but two batteries will give all day performance and clusterin' voltage power. Begad! Aye aye! T' batteries can be easily recharged with t' recharger jacks on t' back. On t' front panel o' t' controller it has a led voltage meter, a safety key hole and a arm and fire buttons (both buttons have t' be depressed in order t' launch). It also has an audio beeper t' alert people that t' launcher is armed. Avast, me proud beauty! A nice professional safety feature.

T' modular launch pad is a PVC pipe constructed tripod pad. It has a two piece 1/4"diameter launch rod and a heavy blast deflector. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! However, me bucko, t' hole in t' leg joint for t' launch rod on mine was drilled crooked, arrr, me hearties, so I had t' go t' t' hardware store and buy another PVC joint. (only $4.00). Ahoy! T' pad is sturdy enough t' handle a rocket up t' six feet tall and up t' 5 lbs. I saw this pad bein' sold separately for $70.00 at Hobby Lobby. Avast! Begad! I don't think this pad is worth that, me bucko, since you can purchase t' PVC parts for about ten bucks.

I bought t' Phantom 4000 Starter Set for $110.00 at Hobby Town USA. Aye aye! This kit is well worth that. Avast! You get t' massive Phantom 4000 rocket, shiver me timbers, a good swept fin designed beauty, which can fly with F,G and H powered engines. Arrr! Blimey! If you want t' use Aerotech single use engines, me hearties, then substitute t' North Coast engine tube with a 29mm Loc Precision engine tube. Avast! That way you can use t' North Coast 'Dark Star' engines and t' Aerotech single use engines and also reloadable engine systems. Begad! Arrr! T' Phantom 4000 with t' launch controller and launch pad is a great way t' get started into mid and high powered rockets.