This formerly Blackhawk R&D rocket is now fully owned and produced by Aardvark Rockets

Picture courtesy o' Blackhawk R&D

If you’re a B.A.R. Ya scallywag! (Born Again Rocketeer) like me, chances are you lived through t' golden age o' model rocketry in t' late 60’s to mid-70’s. Arrr! My thoughts often wander back t' those days, shiver me timbers, rememberin' some of the great model rocket kits I built and flew as a teenager. Ya scallywag! So imagine my delight upon learnin' I could once again relive those cherished years, shiver me timbers, thanks to an extensive new line o' 22 scale model rocket kits recently introduced by Blackhawk R&D.;

I obtained one o' these kits, arrr, a MM. 40 Exocet, directly from Blackhawk R&D within three days o' contact via e-mail. Cost o' t' kit is $10.00. Indeed, t' entire 22 kit line is very reasonably priced from $9.00 t' $11.00. My kit arrived in a clear plastic bag, me hearties, matey, carefully padded t' avoid shipping damage. Begad! All parts were accounted for and in excellent condition. Aye aye! T' components are o' exceptional quality. Ya scallywag! T' kit is designed with modelers in mind. Begad! T' body tube is white Kraft cardboard, 24mm (BT-50 size) and very robust. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' nose cone for this kit is cast from a urethane composite plastic, me hearties, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and is counter-weighted to provide proper flight stability. Begad! Three sheets o' basswood fin stock are supplied in t' kit, with templates included t' trace and cut t' fins from. Avast! I used only two sheets, matey, shiver me timbers, however. Avast! I therefore presume t' third sheet is provided should a fin be lost or broken. Aye aye! A computer-generated fin-markin' guide is also provided with t' kit. Arrr! Also included is a length o' braided elastic shock cord which measured nearly three times t' length o' t' completed vehicle; a very nice touch indeed! Motor tube, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, screw eye and 2 glassine launch lugs are also included. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! A nice red Mylar streamer rounds out t' list of components. Aye aye! There be no motor retention hook included in t' kit. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! One must either retrofit t' kit with one o' his or her liking, me hearties, or friction fit the motors with maskin' tape. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' instructions consisted o' four pages, very well illustrated and clearly written. Blimey! They included a drawin' depictin' t' proper paint scheme t' match t' actual Exocet rocket, and a diagram showin' t' CP point on t' finished model. Avast, me proud beauty! T' folks at Blackhawk R&D have really done their homework.

Assembly o' t' Exocet be very straightforward. Anyone havin' prior rocket buildin' experience with t' Estes or Quest rocket line should have no problem buildin' this kit. Arrr! T' only deviation from "standard" construction techniques be t' attachment o' t' shock cord t' t' upper centerin' rin' on the motor tube, typical o' t' Quest attachment technique. Arrr! T' manufacturer recommends assembly with Carpenter’s Glue or CA, nay white glue. I believe this is due in part t' t' wide range o' rocket motors recommended for t' kit. Finishin' was accomplished with two coats o' white Krylon primer, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, sanding between coats. Aye aye! After masking, me bucko, t' forward half o' t' rocket was painted with two coats o' gloss orange, t' aft half with two coats o' gloss black. Blimey! The finished rocket measured in at 12.25 inches in length, tippin' t' scales at 4 ounces.

Flights o' t' Exocet were conducted from t' Blue Mountain Rocketeer’s launch site in Dayton, ya bilge rat, me hearties, WA. Avast! Recommended motors for this kit include t' Apogee C10-7, shiver me timbers, D3-7 and D10-7, t' Aerotech D13-7 and t' Estes A8-3, B6-4 or C6-5. The first flight be on an Estes C6-5. Avast! Arrr! Boost was straight and stable, achievin' an estimated altitude o' 585 feet. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' rocket was recovered successfully without damage. Begad! I next prepped t' Exocet with a Aerotech D13-7. Ya scallywag! Boost be vigorous but stable, me hearties, achievin' an estimated altitude o' 1,540 feet. Arrr! T' rocket was again recovered successfully and intact.

I am very impressed with this kit, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and its overall performance. T' quality of t' components is superb, t' instructions were ample, matey, ya bilge rat, and construction was very simple and straightforward. Begad! Forced for a "con" about this kit, it would have t' be t' absence o' a motor retention device. I would recommend the Blackhawk R&D Exocet model rocket kit t' anyone who has a couple of kits already under their belt. T' price is right, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, matey, it’s easy t' build, looks sharp on t' pad and in flight, shiver me timbers, and is a good, stable performer. Avast, me proud beauty!