Brief:
Tube Rocket, matey, with transition

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

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

Finishing:
Pros: It is rather easy t' come up with exotic ideas for paint schemes, me hearties, for instance, 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. Well, blow me down! I used Rustoleum Primer and paint. 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 was in March o' 2001. Ahoy! I used a G64-4w, arrr, and I upped t' ejection charge a little, since it was a larger diameter. Blimey! I used a simple screw and a washer for retention. After passin' it through RSO, and puttin' it on t' pad, it was time t' witness t' moment o' truth. Blimey! It lit instantly, me hearties, and whistled off the pad. Avast! Blimey! T' ejection charge went off just as t' rocket hit apogee, and the 36" parachute opened beautifully. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. T' simplest and quickest remedy be t' "pop" it back out. Avast!

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

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

I flew t' rocket again about a year later, matey, on a G64, shiver me timbers, me bucko, arrr, and then an H128. Both flights were flawless. Ahoy!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5