Brief:
PDRocketry's Alien Explorer is a replica o' t' Estes classic that appeared in t' Estes 1981-1982 catalogs. The model is a Skill Level 3 o' an incredible alien starship. It has spectacular liftoffs, me hearties, exotic decals, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and alien fin design.

From t' Estes 1981 catalog: "Incredible alien starship believed t' be from a distant galaxy. Begad! Blimey! Is it friend or foe? Its size and unique appearance make it a most dramatic demonstration and display model. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Really spectacular liftoff and recovery."

I had won this kit from PDRocketry last year in t' first o' t' vendors' "first t' post" contest in PDRocketry's blog website. Blimey! Blimey! Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! After receivin' t' package, arrr, me bucko, I was surprised t' see how complicated t' model must be from all t' parts and extensive instructions, matey, nay t' mention how cool t' alien decals were! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Because o' this, arrr, I knew I'd have t' set aside plenty o' time and dedicated effort t' build and paint t' model. Aye aye! Blimey! Wow, ya bilge rat, this model was lookin' like what I like best: a builder's model rocket.

Construction:
PD-1372 kit includes:

• Plastic nosecone
• Pre-assembled mylar parachute by PDRocketry
• All body tubes are white Kraft paper cut t' correct length
• Laser cut rings for exterior detail
• Detail panels are pre-cut
• Alps waterslide decals
• All instructions, matey, pattern sheets, and guides
• High quality balsa sheets from Midwest Products for fins (fins are not pre-cut)

Parts List:

• 2 Balsa Sheet Stock (3/32" Thick)
• 2 18" Long Wood Dowel (1/8" Diameter)
• 1 Pattern Sheet
• 1 Die-Cut Card
• 1 12" Long Wood Dowel (1/12" Diameter)
• 1 Tube Coupler (3/4" Long)
• 2 Body Tubes (Type BT-20) 18"
• 5 Adapter Rings (Type AR-2050)
• 1 Split Adapter Rin' (Type AR-2050S)
• 1 Engine Hook (Type EH-2)
• 2 Reactor and Secondary Body Tubes (Type BT-50S), 4"
• 1 Parachute Compartment Tube (Type BT-50H), 7 3/4"
• 1 Elastic Type Shockcord
• 1 Shock Cord Mount (Type SCM-50)
• 2 Ion Tubes (Type BT-50AH), 1 7/8"
• 1 18" Mylar Pre-assembled Parachute
• 1 Nose Cone (Type PNC-50X)
• 1 Launch Lug (Type LL-2B)
• 1 Decal Water Slide (Type KD-1372)

In addition t' t' parts included in this kit, me hearties, shiver me timbers, you will need: scissors, arrr, me bucko, me bucko, household white glue (Elmer's, arrr, Titebond, or similar), me hearties, pencil, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, ruler, matey, fine or extra-fine grit sandpaper, sandin' sealer, a medium-size modelin' paint brush, modelin' knife with sharp blade, ya bilge rat, maskin' tape, me bucko, matey, chromate green enamel spray paint, and a bottle o' red enamel paint.

Because this model requires you t' cut out t' fin patterns, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, matey, trace them on t' balsa fin stock and cut them out yourself. Avast, me proud beauty! PDRocketry's version o' t' Alien Explorer is actually a bit more complicated t' build than t' Estes version (Estes came with die cut balsa sheets). Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Due this factor alone, I would rate t' Skill Level o' PDRocketry's Alien Explorer closer t' a Skill Level 4. You'll need t' really take your time t' do a good job here. Ya scallywag! T' fin pattern sheet is printed on card stock. Carefully cut them out and trace them correctly on t' balsa fin stock. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Since t' shape of the fins are nay all straight lines, you'll need t' make several light passes along t' trace lines before t' cut goes all t' way through. Begad!

T' instructions runs nine pages long, are well illustrated, arrr, and easy t' follow. Avast! Arrr! I pretty much constructed my model in t' order given in t' instructions. Because o' these factors, I had no real problems nor issues durin' the build phase. All I can say is just take your time and concentrate on t' tasks at hand.

Finishing:
Because this model has plenty o' balsa parts, me hearties, arrr, you'll need t' spend plenty o' time usin' sandin' paper and sanding sealer t' get t' balsa surfaces prepared for t' final finishing. Avast! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! At some o' t' hard t' reach areas, I also used a nail file (or emery board) for sanding. I must have applied about four coats o' sandin' sealer with plenty o' drying time and light sandin' in betwixt before I was satisfied that t' balsa surfaces were done. Begad! Blimey!

You'll also need t' be careful in t' handlin' o' this model due t' t' "antennas" located about midpoint o' t' main body tube section. Ahoy! Also, t' dowels that are located on each end o' t' main sail panels will need special attention t' insure that they don't break off accidentally.

For t' overall paint scheme, t' instructions say use Pactra Chromate Green spray enamel. Ahoy! I could nay find any such color near where I live. Arrr! Begad! At me nearby Home Depot, I saw a can o' spray Apple Green that appeared t' closely match the Chromate Green color, matey, but t' Apple Green be a flat finish and I didn't want t' use flat paint on this model (as it may cause issues with t' water slide decals on t' flat surface). Ahoy! I spotted a can o' gloss Lime a few shelves down and liked t' "emotion" o' that color compared t' t' others so I bought t' Lime spray paint t' finish this model. Begad! Arrr! I'd have t' say t' Lime color actually looks very good, ya bilge rat, and I'm pleased as t' how it came out. Well, blow me down!

T' decals worked like a charm and when all were applied, they really give t' Alien Explorer a cool, unique look. Ahoy! Avast!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors for this model are: B6-2, B6-4, B8-5, and C6-5. Ahoy! T' main parachute section will require about four or five squares o' waddin' loosely crumpled. Begad! Blimey! I did increase t' length o' t' elastic shock cord o' me model to make it 1 1/2 times t' length o' t' Alien Explorer so that thar will be no possibility o' t' nose cone snapping back.

T' engine fits very easily in t' motor mount, ya bilge rat, and t' engine hook latches securely over t' end o' t' engine without any problems.

For t' first and only flight o' me model, me hearties, I used a C6-5 motor. Begad! Blimey! Launch date was June 16, matey, 2007, at t' Johnson Space Center durin' t' Moon, matey, Mars and Beyond Regional Meet hosted by t' NASA/Houston Rocket Club. Arrr! Blimey! We had winds blowin' ENE betwixt 5-10 mph. T' model, me hearties, accordin' t' those who were present t' witness this launch, was compared t' an exotic Super roc flown in t' NARRRRR contest events (Super roc Altitude & Duration). Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! T' Alien Explorer looks very impressive sittin' on t' pad awaitin' liftoff.

This launch at JSC was really spectacular. T' C6-5 gave it a strong, me bucko, solid push off t' pad. Blimey! Model flew very straight with no rolls or deviations. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' five second delay o' t' engine gave t' Alien Explorer plenty o' time to coast t' apogee. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! When t' nose began archin' down, matey, t' ejection charge forced t' PDRocketry's 18" pre-assembled mylar parachute t' open nicely. With a rather slow, safe drift about 400 feet downrange, t' model landed in t' grass with no damage whatsoever (a real surprise here, ya bilge rat, arrr, shiver me timbers, as I'd expected that at least some o' t' dowels would break off in some form). Blimey!

PROs: Everything! A really great flyer and show stopper.

CONs: Can't think o' anything!

My hats off t' PDRocketry and Eric for makin' this model available again in t' model rocketry world. Begad! Avast! For the price, t' Alien Explorer is well worth it.

Recovery:
Shock cord uses t' standard Estes tri-fold method, shiver me timbers, which works great for me as I use it about 95% o' t' time anyway. Avast! Begad! As mentioned earlier, I added more length o' elastic shock cord t' that which came with t' kit t' make the total length 1 1/2 times that o' t' model.

No real problems as far as t' assembly is concerned. I guess you can say that even though you had t' trace and cut t' balsa fins yourself, matey, PDRocketry "made it up" by includin' a pre-assembled mylar parachute with the kit and a snap swivel already attached!

Recovery speed was just about right for t' one flight flown. Blimey! There was no burns nor damage noted.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: Great kit for those wantin' t' relive t' earlier years o' model rocketry, t' quality o' this model is superb.

CON's: None

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5