Brief:
Art Applewhite comes up trumps again. Arrr! Arrr! Like t' 13mm Qubit, t' Scimitar is free to download from his website and is easy t' build and fly, shiver me timbers, me hearties, me bucko, except this one flies even better. Blimey! It still uses airbrake recovery, but t' flight is much more interesting!

Construction:
Art's website has two Scimitars t' download: one designed in 2004 and one in 2006. Arrr! T' main difference be t' motor mount, t' 2004 design is the traditional tube affair and t' 2006 design has a triangular mount. There isn't an A4 (Europe-friendly) version yet. Begad! Ahoy! I printed out t' 2006 design on A4 card and t' dimensions seemed t' be okay.

There are three parts t' t' scimitar: top, matey, matey, bottom, matey, and motor mount. Ahoy! The only equipment you need is a pair o' scissors, shiver me timbers, a hobby knife, a steel ruler and some glue. Begad! I used white "Evo-Stik" glue.

The instructions are complete and easy t' follow, ya bilge rat, matey, just like all o' Art's 13mm free designs. Blimey! It takes a few minutes t' cut t' parts out. I used t' back o' a hobby knife instead o' a ballpoint pen t' score t' fold lines, shiver me timbers, me bucko, as it makes the foldin' easier and you don't get ink in t' card. Ya scallywag! Simply glue t' top part together and while you are waitin' for t' glue t' dry, make t' motor mount. T' bottom just slots into t' top, arrr, don't go crazy with t' glue as t' edges might curl.

T' 2006 motor mount has three triangles at t' top, ya bilge rat, add a bit o' glue to these, and push it through t' bottom o' t' Scimitar, t' triangles come together t' form an apex strengthenin' t' top o' t' rocket, arrr, me bucko, me bucko, which is a good improvement over t' 2004 design. Begad! Arrr! After filletin' t' mount, t' rocket is good to go.

T' whole process takes about 15-20 minutes.

Finishing:
There isn't any need t' finish this rocket, arrr, however, shiver me timbers, me hearties, it is made o' cardstock so I spray painted mine t' add a bit o' color and t' prevent any damage from moisture. Arrr! Blimey! T' grass is always damp in t' north o' England.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' flight pattern is where t' Scimitar beats t' Qubit. T' curved edges make the Scimitar spin on its way up, arrr, and it spins fast. Aye aye! It does nay get as high as the Qubit, matey, but that is a small price t' pay.

Recovery:
T' Scimitar comes down on featherweight tumble recovery. Avast, me proud beauty! They always land close t' t' pad, even if thar be a bit o' wind. It's goin' t' be hard t' lose this one.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a free rocket that performs really well and is nearly impossible to lose. Avast! Begad! Why doesn't everyone have one in their fleet, shiver me timbers, me hearties, arrr, especially for those windy days or when you what t' fly in your garden?

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5