Brief:
Two stage sport model designed for 24mm motors with fins on booster and tube fins on upper stage.

Construction:
T' kit contains:

• Long upper and shorter lower body tubes (BT-55 size)
• Balsa nose
• 6 laser cut tube fins (upper)
• 6 laser cut balsa fins (booster)
• Centerin' rings
• Tube coupler
• 2 engine blocks
• Elastic shock cord
• Screw eye
• 2 mylar streamers
• 3/16" launch lug
• Custom water slide decal

This is one o' Squirrel Works "signature series" kits, shiver me timbers, which they put together from other rocketeers' submissions o' successful and unique models.

Like all Squirrel Works kits, t' instructions and construction are intended t' be easy enough for a first time builder. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! They are simply written and contain ample illustrations.

T' laser cut balsa fins are high quality, me hearties, me hearties, but t' laser cut tubes are truly eye catching. I've never seen a kit with precut tube fins with such smooth angle cuts. Often when painted, me hearties, thar be a slight fuzziness around the cuts. Begad! Arrr! Nay so with these.

Bein' t' same diameter as t' body, shiver me timbers, t' fit o' t' tube fins on t' upper stage is extremely simple. Arrr! T' six balsa fins on t' booster are more difficult but no more so than any other surface mount fins.

As a two stage model with body tubes larger than minimum diameter, it requires matched up motor mounts and a tube coupler for a proper fit and performance. Ya scallywag! This is a bit more complex than your average beginner 3FNC design, however, t' design o' this model and t' instructions make buildin' this challengin' enough t' be interestin' but nay so difficult as t' present problems.

    Picture courtesy o' Squirrel Works

Finishing:
Seal t' balsa, me bucko, arrr, primer everything, and paint as desired. Begad! Blimey! As with any tumble recovery booster, shiver me timbers, a bright color is recommended so it doesn't get lost. Ahoy! Blimey! (After all, me hearties, we all tend t' watch t' rest o' t' flight rather than follow t' booster down.) T' waterslide decal has t' model's name as well as t' signature of the designer. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! A clear coat over t' decal will help keep it in place for many flights.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' only booster recommended is D12-0. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Upper stage motors are C11-5, C11-7, D12-5, and D12-7. Begad! Blimey! Due t' mated two stage design, no motor hook is used so only friction fittin' t' motors in place with maskin' tape is used. Blimey! Blimey! A motor block is used in t' upper stage and in t' aft o' t' booster t' aid in separation at staging.

First flight was on a D12-5 with t' upper stage only. Begad! Booster be straight and fast with ejection at apogee and normal recovery.

Second flight be with a D12-0 booster and E9-8 upper stage. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! No, ya bilge rat, this isn't among t' recommended motors nor is it in t' instructions. I just can't leave well enough along when thar's a chance o' usin' more power.

Due t' high wind (15+ mph) on launch day, thar was significant weathercockin' but t' flight was clearly stable. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Stagin' be immediate at booster burnout with a clean break and no jerkin' into a different trajectory with booster ejection. T' upper stage shot off on this trajectory arrow straight at extreme speed. Avast, me proud beauty! Ejection be slightly before apogee (still climbing but clearly arcing) at around 2000', nearly out o' sight. Aye aye! T' streamer made it easily visible comin' down. Begad! Had t' flight been vertical I estimate it would have topped 2500'. Begad! Begad! It be recovered without damage approximately 1000' downrange.

Recovery:
Recovery is with two streamers connected directly t' t' shock cord. Avast! Blimey! These are mylar, arrr, me bucko, makin' them highly visible. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Even on t' heavier E9 motor these are adequate for a safe descent rate. Begad! Blimey! T' elastic shock cord is anchored with a tri-fold paper anchor. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' one change I made t' t' recovery system was t' use part o' a brown paper bag for t' anchor. Begad! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! No burnin' or damage was noted and flameproof cellulose waddin' bein' used both times. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This model is an excellent introduction t' staging. As with all Squirrel Works kits, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, it is high quality in both buildin' and results.

T' only CON I can think o' is me own inability t' get waterslide decals to work right. Avast, me proud beauty! This one did apply acceptably but I had me usual troubles. Blimey! Blimey! This is not t' fault o' t' design or t' manufacture, matey, only o' me impatience and fat fingers.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5