As I was browsin' on t' internet I found an awesome lookin' rocket, the Rocketman Space Hawk. Ahoy! Avast! About a week after ordering, t' box containin' my kit came packed well and without any damage. Aye aye! Upon openin' t' box I realized this be one quality kit. Avast! It contains PML body tubes, Rocketman R4C chute, G-10 fiberglass fins, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and heavy-duty strap nylon with hardware. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I checked t' make sure all t' parts were thar and t' me disappointment t' 38mm motor tube was missing. Begad! Ya scallywag! I had t' place an order from PML anyway so I just ordered another one. 

I started construction by fillin' t' spirals. I should have used 2 applications o' filler on t' tubes but in me haste I only put one coat. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' grooves are still noticeable but they are at least filled. Arrr! Next I proceeded t' assemble t' motor mount. Begad! T' strap for t' recovery system is glued under t' forward centerin' rin' in this kit. I have several other rockets that use this also and it's worked well so far. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! To insure t' strap would stay in place while t' epoxy cured I used several strips o' maskin' tape t' hold it where it belonged. Next came t' assembly of the payload section. Blimey! It went together without a hitch thanks t' t' helpful directions. I made one slight modification about two months after assembly. I drilled one 3/16 inch hole in t' bottom o' t' bulkhead so I could use me new altimeter. I also drilled a vent hole in t' payload tube so me altimeter could function properly. Finally I attached t' strap and parachute t' t' eyebolt with a quiklink and assembly was complete. 

This rocket's construction was rushed because I wanted t' take it t' RATS. Aye aye! Blimey! I only had a little bit o' free time t' paint so I couldn't do anythin' elaborate. Arrr! Blimey! I primed it first then I ended up paintin' it red with a white nosecone. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I also applied t' included decal. 

T' first flight o' this rocket be basically t' test me altimeter for another project. Arrr! It flew low and slow on a G80 t' 616' recorded by t' ALTS25. I set it up for apogee only with motor backup. At apogee t' R4C deployed and brought t' rocket safely down. T' only problem was t' nosecone had jarred loose upon ejection and free fell to t' ground. Well, blow me down! I was found easily without damage about 50 yds. Begad! away. Avast! Begad! This was my fault because in me rush t' launch before t' rain hit, shiver me timbers, matey, I neglected to friction fit t' nosecone. 

Overall t' Space Hawk is a quality kit that's fun t' fly and build. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I feel this a great kit and would recommend for anyone lookin' for a stylish rocket in t' level one motor range. 

Retail Price: $115 

Written and submitted by Todd Harrison for Rocketry Online -- Copyright 1996-2000