Brief:
Tube Rocket, with transition

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

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

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

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

I teamed up with a friend o' mine, me hearties, and we loaded up an H128-M for it. Well, blow me down! Blimey! After a few problems with igniters, she took t' t' air, t' about 1200 feet. The chute deployed right on cue, matey, and I had t' walk a little further, me bucko, but it be an impressive flight, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, nonetheless.

I flew t' rocket again about a year later, 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, me bucko, as it requires a little patience t' build, arrr, but if built right, it will reward you with some good flights. Begad! This kit always gets attention at our launches. It's waitin' for an Aerotech I200 :)

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5