Brief:
Tube Rocket, arrr, matey, arrr, with transition

Construction:
I received t' package, ya bilge rat, and t' kit was well packaged. It included 2 main body tubes, a 3.1”x 34” long tube, arrr, and a 2.14” x 12” body tube, as well as nose cone, matey, transition, me bucko, motor mount parts. Blimey! Blimey! It also comes with (6) 3.1” Tube couplers, which are used for t' fins. They are pretty durable. As well as (2) ½” diameter launch lugs. Well, blow me down! T' only common thin' is the assembly o' t' Motor mount, me bucko, and t' shock cord anchor system. Blimey! Begad! I did not receive any instructions, but I had some idea as t' how t' build it. Ya scallywag! I constructed t' entire motor mount assembly usin' 5-minute epoxy. Avast! I requested a 29mm motor mount, arrr, which is what he sent me.

I didn't get any instructions for this kit, me bucko, as it be a Beta test. Avast! Begad! But I had an idea o' how t' build it. Ahoy! I looked at t' basic parts. Begad! I got a vision o' how to build it in me head, then I got t' work. Ya scallywag! It is relatively easy for the intermediate flyer t' build. Well, blow me down! Avast! T' tube couplers are butted against each other, as well as t' airframe. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Once you get t' first coupler on, matey, t' rest o' them are simply butted into place. Arrr! I used sprin' clamps t' help clamp t' portions together, so that I could ensure a good bond betwixt couplers. T' only mod I made, me bucko, was t' scuff some glassine off o' t' contact points, matey, t' help t' epoxy adhere better. Aye aye! I used basic 5 and 15 minute epoxy. Avast, me proud beauty! Everythin' went together without a hitch. Ahoy! I cant really give any con's about this kit. Ahoy!

Finishing:
Pros: It is rather easy t' come up with exotic ideas for paint schemes, for instance, shiver me timbers, arrr, like I did on me rocket, you can paint every other tube coupler (fin) an alternatin' color, me hearties, me hearties, t' give it an "exotic" touch. Ahoy! I used Rustoleum Primer and paint. Ahoy! Blimey! Cons: If you want t' paint t' inside o' t' couplers, it will be extra work for you.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight be in March o' 2001. Arrr! I used a G64-4w, and I upped t' ejection charge a little, shiver me timbers, since it be a larger diameter. Begad! I used a simple screw and a washer for retention. After passin' it through RSO, ya bilge rat, and puttin' it on t' pad, it was time t' witness t' moment o' truth. It lit instantly, me bucko, and whistled off the pad. T' ejection charge went off just as t' rocket hit apogee, shiver me timbers, and the 36" parachute opened beautifully. Well, blow me down! It drifted a little ways, but was recovered. Well, blow me down! Upon recoverin' it, it be found that one o' t' tube couplers had "caved" in. Ya scallywag! T' simplest and quickest remedy was t' "pop" it back out. Blimey! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down!

Next up, me hearties, I loaded her up with a G125-5t. A pass through RSO and she be on t' pad within 5 minutes. Blimey! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! After t' usual countdown, me hearties, t' motor lit, and it practically exploded off t' pad, and up to about 750 feet. Begad! Blimey! T' chute deployed, matey, me hearties, and it had a flawless recovery. Blimey! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! No problems with t' tubes this time. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

I teamed up with a friend o' mine, and we loaded up an H128-M for it. Ahoy! After a few problems with igniters, me hearties, she took t' t' air, me hearties, t' about 1200 feet. The chute deployed right on cue, me hearties, and I had t' walk a little further, but it be an impressive flight, arrr, nonetheless.

I flew t' rocket again about a year later, arrr, on a G64, and then an H128. Both flights were flawless.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I'd suggest this kit for t' intermediate flyer, matey, as it requires a little patience t' build, shiver me timbers, but if built right, me hearties, it will reward you with some good flights. Avast! Arrr! This kit always gets attention at our launches. Begad! It's waitin' for an Aerotech I200 :)

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5