Construction:

T' X-24 Bug comes packaged in t' traditional clear bag with a header card. T' packagin' looks very professional and this kit wouldn't look out of place in any hobby shop displayed along side Estes or Quest kits.

T' kit consists of:

• 4 launch lugs
• A nose cone
• An engine tube
• A plywood former
• A block o' clay
• 2 printed sheets o' card stock that form t' body and fins. Begad!

I like that t' printed sheets are flat in t' bag instead o' rolled up. Well, blow me down! It saves a step o' havin' t' flatten them out before startin' assembly.

T' instructions are clear and concise with lots o' detail and have a good assembly order. Blimey! In fact, arrr, thar may be a little too much detail, me bucko, arrr, one step actually reminds you t' get up and wash your hands. If I didn't know better, I would think they got me mom t' write that step.

T' kit is a fairly straightforward build but isn't your traditional rocket kit. Blimey! Ahoy! Probably t' hardest part is t' form t' cone that becomes t' body. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! It took me a couple o' tries t' get things lined up just right. Ya scallywag! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' instructions have you tape t' seam together before gluin' and this seems like a good idea. This is where I encountered t' only fit problem in t' kit. Aye aye! When I glued the seam, ya bilge rat, it turns out that one side o' t' seam is about 1/32" longer than the other. Aye aye! It was easily trimmed even with a hobby knife. Aye aye! Aye aye!

Since t' body and fins are made from printed sheets, arrr, t' only part that needed paintin' was t' balsa nose cone.

T' final step is flight trimming. Aye aye! A block o' clay is included t' make a tail weight. Begad! Blimey! It takes several tries t' get t' model balanced correctly. Begad! When you hand launch it for t' glide tests, shiver me timbers, it only glides about 15 feet so you don't get much observation time per glide. It probably took me half an hour of glidin' and addin' / subtractin' clay t' get it t' glide well. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:

T' Bug glides down after t' engine is thrown out by t' ejection charge. All me flights took place on a day with a very gentle breeze. Avast, me proud beauty!

My first flight used a B6-2. Well, blow me down! T' rocket went pretty much straight up, just nosin' into t' wind a little. T' ejection charge fired while t' nose was still pointed up. T' Bug did a cool backflip rotatin' 270 degrees into a nice level glide. Ahoy! Avast! Considerin' it's shape and short wings its glide was much better than I be expecting. It landed just a few yards from t' launch pad with no damage. Arrr!

T' next 2 flights were on C6-3's. Arrr! T' longer delay lets t' Bug nose down a little before ejectin' t' engine. Ya scallywag! Both flights were successful with t' Bug glidin' down in a large spiral.

After 3 flights, shiver me timbers, t' Bug shows no signs o' damage or wear. T' only evidence that it has ever been flown is a little soot inside t' body. Begad! Arrr!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:

Overall I have t' give this kit a ratin' o' 5 . Ahoy! Begad! While it will never set any altitude or duration records, ya bilge rat, it flies surprisingly well and seems t' be more durable than it looks. Blimey! Arrr! If I could change anythin' about this kit it would be to have a black plastic nose cone. Begad! Blimey! Then no paintin' would be needed t' finish the model. Begad!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5