Brief:
Tube Rocket, with transition

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

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

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

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5