Brief:
Tube Rocket, with transition

Construction:
I received t' package, arrr, and t' kit be well packaged. Aye aye! It included 2 main body tubes, a 3.1”x 34” long tube, me bucko, and a 2.14” x 12” body tube, as well as nose cone, ya bilge rat, transition, shiver me timbers, motor mount parts. Arrr! Ya scallywag! 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. T' only common thin' is the assembly o' t' Motor mount, me bucko, and t' shock cord anchor system. Aye aye! Avast! 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. I requested a 29mm motor mount, matey, me hearties, which is what he sent me.

I didn't get any instructions for this kit, as it was a Beta test. But I had an idea o' how t' build it. Begad! I looked at t' basic parts. Begad! Ya scallywag! I got a vision o' how to build it in me head, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, then I got t' work. Ahoy! It is relatively easy for the intermediate flyer t' build. Begad! T' tube couplers are butted against each other, as well as t' airframe. Ya scallywag! Once you get t' first coupler on, t' rest o' them are simply butted into place. Ya scallywag! Avast! I used sprin' clamps t' help clamp t' portions together, so that I could ensure a good bond betwixt couplers. Begad! T' only mod I made, me bucko, shiver me timbers, was t' scuff some glassine off o' t' contact points, me bucko, t' help t' epoxy adhere better. I used basic 5 and 15 minute epoxy. Begad! 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, for instance, arrr, shiver me timbers, like I did on me rocket, you can paint every other tube coupler (fin) an alternatin' color, t' give it an "exotic" touch. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I used Rustoleum Primer and paint. Cons: If you want t' paint t' inside o' t' couplers, matey, it will be extra work for you.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

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

I flew t' rocket again about a year later, arrr, on a G64, and then an H128. Both flights were flawless. Begad! Well, blow me down!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5